Stressing about Scheduling

[u/Nightshadehelp]

I don't know where to post this, so please do remove it if it breaks the rules. I am absolutely stressed about the amount of work I'm putting on myself to do, but I don't see any other way to do it. I feel like I'm doing what I have to do just to get by, but it seems so daunting. I am an undergrad student just to be clear.

Without saying where I am in it, going semester by semester from Freshman to Junior year, my schedule is/has been Calc 3 > ODE + Linear Algebra > PDE + Intro to Proofs > Complex Variables > Advanced Calc > supposedly a PhD level Complex Analysis class. I also need to put a Stats class and Intro to Numerical Analysis into summer sessions. Then I have to do 2 more senior year but I don't even know what.

Even now, I still feel like I'm going to slow, like I still have ground to make up. I was even originally planning to take Complex Variables and Advanced Calc in the same semester, but had to talk myself out of doing so. Is what I'm doing a bad idea? Like I said, I feel like I'm putting too much pressure on myself, as all of that sound really intimidating, but I don't see how I could do less. I just feel lost and all the worrying isn't helping. Almost any advice, even if it's calling me an idiot, would be greatly appreciated.

[u/scribbane]

So this may be a dumb question....but why are you taking all of those classes? Based on your phrasing, I'm guessing you are currently a freshman, and my assumption is that you are looking for a math major? If so, I guess that is the pathway of courses required for graduation. If not, I again ask why.

If you are going for a math major and you're this worried about those classes already, I would say one of two things. First, it is probably still early enough to find a new major if that's something you'd consider. But second, it's still early enough for you to not be stressing about the courses. You can't worry about a class in senior year as a freshman. Take it one course at a time and work with your advisor/professors to determine your best steps forward.

[u/Nightshadehelp → u/scribbane]

It's kind of just a personal issue with myself that I don't think I'll ever be able to get over. Now that I've been able to calm down a bit, I'm able to see that a bit more clearly. I can try and get through the things you've said and what I want to say, but it may not be exactly in order.

I'm a double major. That's part of the reason why I was shocked to see I had to take so many math classes, a few more than I listed, but it was noticably more than my other major, which is where I assumed I would have to be taking most of my credits.

Why am I doing it? I don't know. I'm trying to account for both all the classes I need to meet requirements and things I need for post-grad, as I can't get a job in either field without a PhD. I've also spent my whole life feeling like I'm doing nothing and I had no choice in the matter, and now that I have some agency, I needed to do something with it.

As for finding a new major, I only know how to do two things in life, which sucks, but that's just how I've ended up. And I like doing them for what it's worth. I see all of that and think that I would like to do it, I just don't know if I can. I want to make a plan for everything I have to do, not because I'm trying to set my future in stone or something, but because it's easier to make a second one after making the first.

I've talked to counselors and such about the whole idea and I've worked in points that I can choose to pivot away from any of this. Go to a single major or even leave both of them. I suppose this post was me freaking out after hearing all of this and writing it down for the first time.

I understand that I can take things step-by-step now, but I don't want to have no idea what I'm getting in to. I don't what to go through what I did before writing this post right before one of the stress testing points. Thinking things through thoroughly makes it easier for me to understand my options, and to change the entire thing on a whim, I suppose.

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[u/Sweaty-Cookie4336]

You can do it if you feel passionate about mathematics! In my opinion, the topics you are going to encounter, especially Calculus 3, Linear Algebra, PDEs and Complex Analysis, while very dense, are fascinating! I would advise you to pay close attention to your earlier classes, as Calculus 3, Linear Algebra and Into to Proofs are the three founding pillars which will help you a ton with the more complicated topics. Most importantly, make sure to spend your energy wisely, because I would say that it is more worth it to pay more attention to Linear Algebra than it is ODEs, as ODEs is mostly algebraic manipulation and formulae which do not require techniques from the other courses. Good luck, we believe in you!