Take the Crazy Gen Eds

Even if you took 5 million AP classes in high school, it’s inevitable and inescapable: Everyone has to take gen eds at Penn State.

Although sometimes we roll our eyes and groan at the complicated and seemingly never-ending list of requirements to graduate, general education classes give you some variety. It’s always nice to get a change of perspective, especially if you are taking a lot of major-specific classes. But let’s be honest, you chose your major for a reason – because you love the subject. Being forced to take classes outside of the realm and scope of what you’re pursuing can just turn into a hassle that leaves your scrambling and praying for an easy gen ed.

Most of the time you don’t know how easy or hard a class will be until you’re sitting there on the first day going over the syllabus. No matter how many hours you spend on rate my professor, it is always a gamble: Will you have the easiest gen ed of your college career? Or a class with required attendance and seemingly impossible exams?

Lets Get Whimsical

It might be easier, and is always nice, when a friend suggests a professor and class that they’ve taken and received minimal casualties to their gpa, but sometimes one of the best and most exciting things you can do is to take the weird classes. Now, VALLEY doesn’t mean take classes that you have zero interest in, but rather the opposite: take the classes you think are interesting, even if they sound a little bit silly. Consider it a life hack to make those required gen eds just a tiny bit more fun. So instead of sitting in a 90 minute lecture about the history of European art, you could be making your own art in ART 30: Intro to Sculpture.

Instead of just picking the easy route (which can often times just be boring and repetitive) take the fun route! These wacky and sometimes random classes can allow you to destress, try out new hobbies and hangout with friends – all while getting some college credit.

To make life a little bit easier next scheduling cycle, here is VALLEY’s list of not just easy gen eds, but fun gen eds. They’re interesting, exciting and just a little bit zany.

BISCI 3: Environmental Science

BISCI 3, duh. There is so much buzz around BISCI 3 at Penn State, it is know for being one of the easiest classes out there. It notoriously has zero tests or quizzes and assignment are graded by very compassionate TAs. Besides the fact that this class requires no studying, it is also life changing. Don’t let the words “environmental science” fool you, this class talks about self-reflection, connection to others and debates if humans are better than worms. Listening to the lectures can be inspiring and make you curious about your true self. Definitely sign up for this class with a friend and request to be in the same lab group. That way you have someone to talk to on those first few days. No matter what though, keeping an open mind can make this science gen ed one of your favorite classes at Penn State.

ART 30: Intro to Sculpture

Like we mentioned before, instead of sitting through a lecture on art history (where you’ll definitely have to write many many essays analyzing art) you can fulfill three of your art credits with sculpture 30! Before you say anything yes, this class is four hours long but it only meets Monday Fridays and you’re making art for four hours. Once you start getting deep into your project and gabbing with your classmates, the four hours flys by – trust. This suggestion also goes for any intro to art classes: drawing, ceramics or painting. Pick a skill to learn or master.

HORT 352: Flower Arranging

Don’t let the 300-level scare you, HORT 352 can be taken by any lover of flowers. The class meets only two times per week and is a mix of both lecture and actually arranging flowers. It is a casual and friendly class where you learn elements of style and design but also get to make (and keep) beautiful flower arrangements. Whether this class sparks a newfound passion for floral arrangements or just gives you a new skill, the class makes your science credits so much more fun than an entry level chem class. Plus, each week you’ll come back from class with beautiful flowers.