Planning Your Program

Selecting Courses for a Balanced Program

First-year students are expected to select a total of four 4-credit courses (16 credits). You may wish to add a 1- or 2-credit course (e.g., dance, piano, concert choir).

As you select your courses, think of your first year as a whole. Try to create a varied and balanced program of courses that spans the curriculum and helps you explore new areas of study. The following are some guidelines for creating your first-year program. Remember, these are only suggestions.

• Take a first-year seminar either in the fall or spring. Most of these are writing-intensive and also fulfill a distribution requirement. All first-year seminars are 4-credit courses.
• Take a course each semester in a subject you like and have studied successfully in the past.
• Take a course each semester in a completely new subject.
• Take at least two courses that will meet distribution or College requirements.
• Take a physical education course (PE) in your first year. A total of six PE units are required to graduate. PE units are not counted as academic credits.
• Make sure your courses are spread out reasonably throughout the week. We also encourage you to balance your course work with cocurricular activities, community service, and exercise.
• Especially in the first semester, we strongly discourage credit overloads (more than 19 credits).
• Select courses offered only at Mount Holyoke in your first semester. Ordinarily, first-year students are not permitted to take a Five College course in their first semester. If you have a compelling reason to take a Five College course, you may apply to the dean of first-year studies for special permission.
• When you meet with your advisor during Orientation, plan on a thorough discussion and be open to revising your choices.