I'm currently in first year business and I was wondering if I should take second year commerce courses during the spring and summer to ease my workload in the fall/winter. Any thoughts from upper year commerce students? Also, do I need to get a waiver to register for the courses or do I just add the course and that's that?

You need to get a waiver. You aren't officially in "second year" until September, so SOLAR will reject you when you attempt to add the course. Visit the appropriate Associate Dean's office. They may ask for a copy of your grades so print a copy of your degree audit or grade report. As long as your grades in relevant courses are worthy of remaining in an Honours program (6 or above), everything will be fine. The ADO will probably email you to tell you the waiver has been granted, or they may just even do it on the spot, at which time you can go to SOLAR and register just like any other course.

I highly recommend you do that. I took summer courses and still got raped in first semester of second year commerce.

Originally Posted by Alomar12

You need to get a waiver. You aren't officially in "second year" until September, so SOLAR will reject you when you attempt to add the course. Visit the appropriate Associate Dean's office. They may ask for a copy of your grades so print a copy of your degree audit or grade report. As long as your grades in relevant courses are worthy of remaining in an Honours program (6 or above), everything will be fine. The ADO will probably email you to tell you the waiver has been granted, or they may just even do it on the spot, at which time you can go to SOLAR and register just like any other course.

since you are a commerce student all you need to do is email the APO office requesting a waiver for which ever courses you want to take, and they will grant you the waiver as long as they are convinced you will meet the requirements to enter 2nd year.

and I recommend taking courses over the summer. I did this for 2nd and 3rd year so i only have to take 4 courses a term. I'm really happy I did this because obviously my course load is eased.
I took stats and OB in the summer for 2nd year. there are other courses offered in the summer as well so check that out.
another thing is that all commerce courses have midterms friday night/saturday morning. so if you take all courses during the regular school term, you will no doubt have 2 midterms frequently in the same week.

Is there OSAP available that we can apply for if we decide to take summer courses?

Definitely recommend taking courses in the summer!

Originally Posted by fatimaa

Is there OSAP available that we can apply for if we decide to take summer courses?

they will give you osap only if you're taking at least 2 courses/term (60% workload). if you take only 1 course they you won't be approved for osap

I'm going to do the same thing and I'm in Business 1 too, gonna take 2 accountings, econ and another random course. What are you planning to take?

I think overloading is also good for fast tracking too, for me personally I want to do 3rd year accounting 2nd year.

Originally Posted by allanandthera

I'm going to do the same thing and I'm in Business 1 too, gonna take 2 accountings, econ and another random course. What are you planning to take?

I think overloading is also good for fast tracking too, for me personally I want to do 3rd year accounting 2nd year.

i wouldn't over loading in second year. especially if you plan to take the third year accounting courses second year. then again im someone who doesn't like a 30 unit course load. but those courses are bit more challenging than what you are used to first year.