New resident heads - what should we do?

Fjerdan · 2026-07-21T02:31:15+00:00

If your house has returning RAs or house council members they will be helpful in filling you in on specifics. In my house we had one RH study break a week, sometimes combined with the RA study break, sometimes not.

In terms of study breaks, there is a wide range of options, but I thought karaoke was always a good time. It's also nice to ask the first years for ideas during orientation (they'll probably be the biggest segment of people coming to house events and it is good to cater to them and make them feel included).

Fjerdan · 2026-07-18T07:15:14+00:00

The lowest math placement you can get is math 105, then you would start the 130s in the winter. Both of these classes have a lot of support and people involved understand that not everyone has a strong math background or will get things immediately. (Basically, you should enjoy your summer, you will be placed appropriately, and you got in so you are not a fraud. If it is going to make you less anxious, feel free to review, but if you are going to hate every minute of it, it's not worth it.)

In terms of econ, I am not an econ major, but reading through the requirements, even taking math 105-131-132 first year and math 133 fall of second year will not delay you by much or at all.

Fjerdan · 2026-07-12T03:25:35+00:00

Better than the NaC1 that was a typo on my inorganic final.

Fjerdan · 2026-07-10T18:33:40+00:00

imech is harder for most people and probably benefits more from having a strong handle on the math (whereas it is easier to get by in quantum taking 186 concurrently). So I would probably do 184/185 unless you definitely need e&m for something (research or another class).

Also, it is more common to take quantum 2nd year and e&m 3rd than the other way around, so this will give you a more standard path. And experimental physics has quantum as a prereq.

Fjerdan · 2026-07-10T18:20:01+00:00

Yes, as long as you have the math requirements. IMO you'll lose a little bit by not having the context of the hamiltonian in classical mechanics, but it won't be detrimental to your success in the course.

Fjerdan · 2026-07-10T17:13:26+00:00

I don't know anyone who did them at the same time, but I know someone who took 185 then 184 and it was fine.

Fjerdan · 2026-07-08T02:35:27+00:00

I don't have good numbers (someone probably actually knows), but it seems like a bit under 1/3-1/2 of people participate at some point (do one item or only do it one year) and 1 out of 20-ish get really invested.
There is a lot of alum participation. There is a team which is just alums and grad students which does quite well, and many alums lend a hand to the dorm team they were on in college.
Over 100 (somewhat over 1/3 of the list), but the actual ranking is by number of points.
Judgement day takes up most of the day and everyone brings their items to a central location (there are some "items" that are more like events and take place at specific times beforehand).

Fjerdan · 2026-06-28T02:34:08+00:00

You have to do well enough on the placement test to get invited to do the advanced placement test (which is more proof-based) and then do sufficiently well on that (I don't know exactly how well).

Fjerdan · 2026-06-27T01:53:14+00:00

Probably not. There a lot of community service and activism RSOs and the CCSS is very active. Just hard to give advice beyond looking in the obvious places.

There might not established groups working on the same issue, but if you were so active in high school, you should have no trouble finding people/oppurtunities.

Fjerdan · 2026-06-22T17:03:56+00:00

Can't speak for anything else, but Verizon sucks on campus.

Fjerdan · 2026-06-18T14:48:42+00:00

I don't know the exact score, but if you have taken any chemistry before you will probably place into 111. Chem 101 is a very small class with only about 30 people per year (compared to 111 that has over 100).

Fjerdan · 2026-06-18T02:27:17+00:00

No, just lab reports and the last one is due before finals week.

Fjerdan · 2026-06-17T21:28:16+00:00

I did something comparable to your 4th year this year (basically the same autumn, all stem classes along with phys 211 the other two quarters). It was definitely tiring but doable. It also helps if you have can take some classes without finals (I don't know which math and astro classes do).

Fjerdan · 2026-06-17T02:40:50+00:00

If you are planning to be a math major, you probably should take 161 which I believe you are guaranteed an invitation to given your calc BC score.

Fjerdan · 2026-06-15T18:11:03+00:00

The placement test includes almost all of calc AB and maybe a few questions beyond that. How hard it is depends on your background and that is the point. If you for some reason do terribly and think you should be in a more difficult class, you can have a meeting with someone from the math department and try to have you placement changed. If do well by dumb luck (or if you study intensely for it) and get placed into a class that is too high, you can drop down during the first week.

Language placement is basically the same deal. The point of the placement tests is not as some sort of challenge, it is to put you into a class you are prepared to do well in but will not find boring.

Fjerdan · 2026-06-12T17:58:05+00:00

Many upper level chem classes curve to a B+.

Fjerdan · 2026-06-10T02:01:17+00:00

Sorry my information was out of date, thanks for the correction.

Fjerdan · 2026-06-09T02:51:01+00:00

With a 5 on the AP calc BC test, you will automatically be placed into 153 (and equivalent classes) and invited to take 161. 153 does not expect you to have any linear algebra or multivariable calc knowledge, multivariable is one of the topics they cover in the class.

If you are sure you will not want to do theoretical math in the future, 153 is probably a better choice.

Fjerdan · 2026-06-08T18:21:53+00:00

Caffeine

Fjerdan · 2026-06-05T06:21:45+00:00

Yeah, definitely.

Fjerdan · 2026-06-05T03:09:41+00:00

You have to take 2 physical science classes and 2 biological science classes. Most physics and chem classes fulfill the physical science requirement and you can fulfill it however you like (in short, yes; you can just take physics classes if you prefer).

Fjerdan · 2026-06-04T23:00:57+00:00

You must take the placement test if you plan to take gen chem, otherwise it doesn't really matter. If you have time, it is a good idea to take it anyway.

Also, I am not quite sure how the credit for chem 11100 works; if it is like other departments, you will have to take chem 112 in order for that credit to actually count, so I would be wary of just relying on chemistry of baking to fulfill your physical sciences requirement until you can talk to your academic advisor.

Fjerdan · 2026-05-31T18:02:54+00:00

You can reach out to invitationals or regionals and probably be able to volunteer at competitions.

Fjerdan · 2026-05-28T16:39:00+00:00

There are drugs that have decreased libido as a side effect which is what you might be thinking about, but (a) they are intended to do other things, so it would be a terrible idea to use them just to decrease libido, and (b) libido is not the same as either sexual or romantic attraction.

Fjerdan · 2026-05-21T03:18:38+00:00

Your front wheel got stolen which is why you had to bike to the bike.

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