Navigating Course Selection at Swarthmore College

Hi, future Swarthmore College student here! I've been asked to start thinking about my course schedule and I wanted to include some that aren't too demanding to kind of balance my workload. Any suggestions?

Congratulations on your acceptance to Swarthmore! It's a great college. As you're selecting your courses, keep in mind that Swarthmore uses a four-course system. So, out of your four selections, you could consider pairing two intensive courses with two less demanding ones to keep a manageable workload.

In terms of less demanding courses, it really depends on your major and what you're interested in, but here are a few general suggestions:

1. PSYC 001 - Introduction to Psychology: This class covers a broad range of topics in psychology and introduces you to thinking scientifically about behavior. It is usually a manageable workload with readings and a couple of papers.

2. ENVS 001 - Introduction to Environmental Studies: If you're wanting to learn about the environment, but don't want to do a lot of technical work, this class is a good option.

3. PHED Physical Education courses: These typically earn 0.5 credits and involve participating in an activity or sport. It's also a nice way to stay active.

4. MUIC 002A - Chorus- This class doesn't usually demand too much work outside of class other than participation in performances.

5. LING 001 - Introduction to Linguistics- This course is an overview of the structure and use of human languages. It generally involves reading, problem sets, and a few short assignments.

Definitely consult with your academic advisor before making your final course schedule. And don't forget, you'll have the first two weeks of the semester to drop/add classes, so you'll have a chance to test out your schedule and make adjustments as necessary. Good luck!