From GSS to UofT Drama (UCDP) – Part 4
Let’s talk about workload, and managing time.
Doubling in Computer Science and Drama is no picnic. Both departments demand a lot from me, and I’ve had to get used to quickly shifting mind-sets from one to the other. There have been days where I would get up, run to the Playhouse, go to a Nia warm-up class, take a shower, then run to the Bahan Centre to take an algorithms class, then run back to the Playhouse for a Yoga workshop in Movement class, and then run back to the Bahan Centre to take my Java class.
This might sound overwhelming, but I discovered something very interesting: these two opposites seem to fuel one another.
That Nia class in the morning would get oxygen flowing through my body, and would really wake me up. On the days I had Nia and went to Algorithms, my mind was noticeably sharper, and I was in a better mood.
It’s funny how a better mood can help propel you through work. It’s a bit like warming a knife before it goes through frozen butter.
Anyhow, the reason I’m writing this, is because someone asked me if it’s a good idea to take DRM100/DRM200/DRM201 while also trying to take Calculus and Bio, and a bunch of other courses.
Really, it’s a judgment call. It’s not going to be a cakewalk by any means, but if you’re willing to put in the hours, it’ll pay off. You’ll walk out of a school year and go, “Did I really just do all of that?! Awesome!”.
But for a more practical standpoint, here’s how I look at it:
A full course load is 5 courses per semester. 6 courses per semester is called “overloading”, and while it’s possible (I’ve done it), I don’t really recommend it. The only reason I did it was because I felt I needed to play catch-up, since first year ended up being mostly an exercise in futility.
So, DRM100, DRM200, and DRM201 are all full year courses. And DRM201 has the added feature of secretly being 2 courses, even though it looks like 1. So, with 3 slots taken up per semester, that leaves room for 2 more full year courses, or 4 half courses, or 1 full year and 2 half courses. You get it.
So that’s one way of looking at it – can you make it all add up to 5 credits?
Another note – while it’s certainly possible to drop courses if you’re overwhelmed, I do not recommend dropping any of your drama performance classes unless you’re really in trouble. In the performance classes, you’re almost always working in a group, and pulling out without warning can really damage a group. So don’t.
If any people auditioning for the UCDP have any more questions, post some comments, email me, or contact me on Facebook. You can find my contact info here.
