Good morning readers,
One of the most important parts of being a college student is (wow) taking classes. To help you decide on some courses for next year when you become a freshman at Amherst, here is my ranking of the courses that I have taken so far at Amherst College.
- Mathematical Reasoning (MATH 220): You have 10 red socks, 10 blue socks, and 10 green socks in a drawer. It’s dark, and you need a pair of matching socks. How many socks would you need to blindly pull out before you get a matching pair of socks? [You will find the answer at the end of the blog]. If you love puzzles like these, you’ll love this proofs class! This course also requires no pre-requisites.
- Multivariable Calculus (MATH 211): This class is essentially BC Calculus (Calculus 1 and 2) but in multiple dimensions. It’s an interesting way of thinking and felt like my high school math class, so it wasn’t too stressful. It’s a popular class at Amherst College, and the professors who teach it are extremely helpful, kind, and flexible! Working with peers on multivariable homework helped me meet the people I am close friends with today.
- Telling Stories (FYSE): I got better at sharing narratives and learned a lot about the unique experiences of my peers! I highly recommend “Telling Stories” for your first-year seminar class (all first-year students must take a first-year seminar course in the fall).
- Intro to Psychology (PSYC 100): I get to design a research study and carry it out on campus, which is pretty cool!
- Self and Society: An Introduction to Sociology (SOCI 112): This helped me view the world through a new lens. I learned about the sociological factors behind poverty and the adverse effects of the child welfare system.
- Thermodynamics and Kinetics (CHEM 165): I learned that temperatures in Kelvin can be negative??!
- Fundamental Principles of Chemistry (CHEM 155): I’m not going to lie; this class was challenging. But, I felt trauma bonded to my peers after, so it helped me build connections at Amherst!
- Adaptation and Organisms (BIOL 181): I got to test hypotheses in the lab and write research segments on findings. In one lab, I cut open goldenrod galls and analyzed fly larvae found in the galls. I hate bugs, so watching the larvae move around freaked me out a little.
This ranking was very close. I have generally loved all of the classes I have taken at Amherst College, and I am excited to continue taking various courses at Amherst. I plan to take a creative writing class, a chemistry class dedicated to making food (“Molecular Gastronomy”), and a history class called “Rap, Reagan, and The 80s”. You can check out course offerings at Amherst on their website. I encourage you to take various classes at Amherst that are outside of your major. There are so many incredible courses offered. I know that the courses I have taken are very STEM-heavy, but I plan to change that and take some non-STEM classes in the future. I appreciate a 50/50 balance between writing essays and taking tests. Trust me, you don’t want to have to write four final essays, and you don’t want to take four final exams. It’s good to find a balance in your courses.
If you have any questions about my classes, course selection, or anything else, contact me at ipatel28@amherst.edu.
Proof answer: Four socks!