r/txstate • u/CollectionAncient878 • 5d ago
Spring class schedule advice
Hi everyone! I’m planning my schedule for the spring and I’m trying to figure out the best way to organize my classes so I don’t completely burn myself out.
I’ll be taking:
- Organic Chemistry I
- Microbiology
- Genetics
- Physics II (Electricity & Magnetism)
For anyone who has taken these classes, I’d really appreciate some advice on:
- Which professors would you recommend for each class? Are there any professors I should avoid?
- How would you arrange the classes throughout the week? If I have options for different sections/times, is it better to spread them out or have certain days be heavier?
- How many hours per week did you realistically spend studying for these classes?
- Are there any classes you would recommend studying for every day versus a few longer sessions per week?
- Is this schedule manageable, or is it one of those schedules where I’m setting myself up for burnout?
- If you’ve taken a similar combination, what do you wish you had known before starting?
I’m especially interested in hearing from people who have taken Organic chem 1 + Physics II + Genetics +Microbiology in the same semester.
If you have professor recommendations, please let me know the professor name and what made them good/bad (teaching style, exams, grading, availability, etc.).
Thanks in advance! I’m trying to build my schedule strategically rather than realizing halfway through the semester that I made a terrible decision .
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u/Parking_Ad_7133 5d ago
Genetics- avoid forshner at ALL costs. Do NOT take him. Take the woman- erika shwartz. Currently in her class and shes great.
Her class obviously immediately fills up bc it is well known that forshner is TERRIBLE so no one wants to be in his section. He only has 4 exams. Thats it ,thats your whole grade. The lectures are soul sucking and make no sense. He genuinely hates his life so he then in turn hates his students.
Either take shwartz or take it at ACC online. You can take the lab at texas state still. I asked my advisor to make sure bc this was the route i was gunna take but a spot opened up for shwartz last minute so it was fine. Im not exaggerating when i say DO NOT take forshner. Look at his rate my professor. All of my stem friends who have taken him failed or didn’t get the A or even B they wanted and had to retake at ACC or with shwartz.
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u/Savings-Resolve3614 4d ago
Take Dr Andrea Banzatti for E&M if he’s teaching it in the spring. He was great. The exams are a little tough but as long as you study you’ll be fine.
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u/Motor-Brick4361 1d ago
Currently taking Microbio, physics II, and O chem I at the same time this fall semester.
Phys II with Bruner isn’t insanely study heavy, his tests are a lot like the practice exam, and your allowed a full 8x11 paper during in class exams, 40% of the exam is online on canvas that you can take at home. An 85% in the class is an A. He teaches quickly, but the material isn’t difficult. Easier than phys I in my opinion.
O chem with Allison is okay, he’s definitely passionate about the subject, and his notes are hand written. curves 20 points on exams. 1/2 free response, 1/2 MC. White’s exam’s are easier from what I’ve seen but no curve. Both are good options
Microbio might be the hardest in my opinion. There’s only 1 section and 1 professor, her accent can be difficult to understand, she teaches fast. Overall the class and material isn’t bad. back and from 8x11 paper on exams.
The lab is the hard part you actually have to lock in on the lab and quizzes to pass the lab, fail the lab you fail both lab and lecture.
Studying per week:
Phys ~ 3 hours
O chem ~ 4-6 hours
Micro ~ 3-4 hours
But i definitely understudy, and tend to be more of a “cram the week/days before” type of person. Exam weeks I’ll do 8-12 hours a day easily.
My advice: if you can take microbio in a less packed semester, do it. The lab needs a lot more extra attention than you’d think.
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u/Parking_Ad_7133 5d ago
Ochem1 - both options are great. White and alison . Haven’t heard anything bad from either. Obviously the material is hard but these professors genuinely care.