r/CalPoly • u/Southern_Smell2827 • 2d ago
Incoming Student Classes
Hey I’m an incoming student but my freshman semester looks like no fun. I have calc 1, Gen Chem structure and property. Also general physics 1 (lab too). Two other classes that are specific for my major.
Where are my electives :(
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u/Whathappened98765432 2d ago
Unlike many colleges, cal poly really wants you to jump right into your major. They also want classses that are prerequisites for others done so your flowchart isn’t messed up.
You should be happy because when spots aren’t saved for you, there will be less options for those classes going forward. Versus electives have a lot of flexibility.
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u/atariibreakout polisci - 2029 2d ago
some majors have fewer free spaces for electives than others, and it also depends on if you're coming in with lots of credits. you may not have many opportunities to take non-GE/major courses, but maybe find a GE that interests you more.
tbh tho (as a cla student) stem majors don't seem "fun" because that's not what school is supposed to be. hopefully if ur passionate about ur major you will get fulfillment out of it though!
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u/urdumbdotcom 2d ago
a lot of majors don't have any free electives, what major are you? you might be in one that has none
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u/Soft_Discipline_ Art and Design - 2028 2d ago
I recommend looking up your course requirements for your major because as a materials engineer you have no free electives. That way you won’t be surprised by any classes you get and you can see what classes to take for the future
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u/Lonely_Bamboo 2d ago
You won’t get many electives, you can choose some fun GEs going forward but you’re not really gonna be able to do anything crazy fun not related to ur major. Especially if your major doesn’t have free electives..
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u/No-Environment8987 1d ago
Unless you came in with transfer credit, you'll end up having some English/public speaking/ethnic studies/history electives at some point too, maybe just not first semester. In engineering most of your classes will be towards your major completion, any other classes that aren't a GE won't count towards graduation, but can still be taken!
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u/guavapplause Professor/Lecturer 2d ago
Your schedule isn't final. Look at the dates that you can make adjustments, but be very careful on dropping classes. You may have been blocked into a class that is harder to get into again.
Welcome to college. Not every term will have electives. Sometimes it'll be a grind, sometimes you'll have a fun semester, sometimes it'll be a balance of the two.