As your college career proceeds you will become a real pro at balancing class load, and figuring out what you can handle in the way of study, research and class time during each semester. In the beginning, however, you are likely to feel a bit overwhelmed by the choices and wonder whether you are overloading your schedule. During your freshman year, it is likely that your college or university will ask you to take a number of general, liberal arts courses in history, English, sciences, etc. Even if you start with these general courses (which may seem easier but are often very challenging), you should consider the total load as you add classes to your schedule. If you are working on or off campus to earn a little extra money, you have to be even more careful about your course load.
Check the requirements your college stipulates to find out what constitutes full-time versus part-time study. If you are a full-time student, getting financial aid, you will have to maintain a certain number of hours or credits to be eligible for this aid, so be sure you meet these requirements before you cut anything from your schedule. To earn an undergraduate degree in the standard four years, you will have to take about 15 credits each term, and most schools will consider you full time if you are taking 12 credit hours in a semester. But if you only take the 12 hr. minimum, you will probably not graduate in four years unless you go to summer school.
Some students take 12 hrs. during their first semester just to ease the transition into college and give them the time and space to make the adjustment. They will then make up the credits later so that they can graduate in four years. This is not a bad idea! When you choose your courses for the first year of school, try not to take a course that is SO challenging or time consuming that you are likely to feel frustrated or overwhelmed. Once you build your confidence in school, there will be plenty of time for that heavy work!
Here are some other tips that may help you build your first year course foundation: Don’t take two math or lab courses in one semester. Choose classes that work different parts of your brain, with some variety in the type of thinking, activities and people you encounter each day. Balance your course schedule so you aren’t overloaded on one day. IF YOU CAN, choose class times that accommodate the time of day when do you do your best work. In short, you should help yourself by organizing your schedule and your classes so that you have some balance. Don’t just close your eyes and pick a class out of the catalog! Use your adviser to help you create a balanced schedule. You will be happier with the outcome.
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