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How do I know which General Ed Classes to take?

I am applying for a psychology major and I want to finish my general ed as quickly as possible #collegebound #psychology #college

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Tracey’s Answer

Upon acceptance to the college/university of your choice, you will most likely be assigned to a advisor who will walk you through what classes you need for general education. Sometimes the school that houses your major (i.e. School of Arts & Sciences, School of Arts and Letters etc.) will have advisors within the department ( i.e. Psychology) for your major to help guide you as well.
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Linda Ann’s Answer

Hi Ivanna!

Do not be concerned right now about general education requirements, as each college or university has different Gen Ed course credits, for example. Thus, your question doesn't have a simple answer; it depends on what institution you enroll in!


You will be assigned an academic advisor upon enrollment. Meet with that advisor before classes even start (your school might have a designated day or two for this to actually happen). Go over the curriculum requirements for your major. Discuss options for meeting those Gen Ed requirements. ASK A LOT OF QUESTIONS, even if you think you understand all of the requirements for graduation. Assume nothing. Meet with that advisor regularly.


Smaller institutions tend to have academic advisers who are actually faculty in the department that houses your major, e.g., psychology faculty for psychology majors. Larger institutions tend to have "generic advisers;" to continue my example, your advisor might not be a psychologist but someone with just a BA degree or an MA in education. At some very large universities, those academic advisers can have a reputation for steering students in a very wrong direction. Before I became a faculty member at a small, private university I worked in an administrative role for one year at one of those large, state institutions. I used to hear students complaining all of the time about how they were ill-advised...my son went to this institution and he was given some bad advise too, which actually added another semester to complete his BA in mathematics. That is why I said it is important to ask a lot of questions after reviewing the Gen Ed requirements yourself.


Good luck!

Linda Ann recommends the following next steps:

Meet with your academic adviser before classes start
Review all curriculum requirements, including those for your major and Gen Ed
Ask very specific questions of your adviser.
Meet regularly with your adviser.
IF you aren't happy with your adviser, ask someone in the Student Affairs office how to change to a new person. Sometimes the "chemistry" between two people is less than ideal. Do not suffer with someone you neither respect nor trust!
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Benjamin’s Answer

While it is a pretty common sentiment to want to knock out gen ed courses right away, my experience has been that most gen ed classes are usually easy A's without a terrible amount of effort. You may want to save one or two for your junior or senior year if you can. When you are caught up in the mix of your higher level, more demanding classes, being able to have a cake class might help give you a little breathing room.
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