Cenaden

Well, I'm finally in college. I never thought I'd see the day. As homework assignments begin to loom on the horizon though, I find myself wondering whether or not it would be better to take a lighter credit load for my first semester - I have about a week to decide.

The university I am attending offers a four-year graduation guarantee should one take (and pass) 15 credit hours each semester, whilst satisfying all necessary CORE requirements. I went in with an automatically awarded 6 credit hours from a high score on an AP exam, so even if I took 12 (the absolute minimum to maintain enrollment) I would still be up 3. While I think I could handle 15 credit hours, I have been advised that it is fairly harsh (at least first semester) - and would also preclude any chance of me being able to hold a job because of necessary study hours. Not to mention, I am already waitlisted (position 3 in a lecture hall of like...400) for the particular class I would need to have 15 credit hours for.

I'm currently Open Option, but will probably declare Political Science with a minor in Journalism/History/English over the next semester. If anyone could offer their opinion or advice (yes, I do realize I'm asking the Ayo. Ro boards) or share some of their experiences, I'd appreciate it.

Thanks.

--Cen

Gulor Gularin

Depending upon how confident you are that you can absorb the material, I would recommend going for 15. Unless you are on a five year plan, you will likely need the credits to graduate in timely manner and every class you don't take now will need to be taken later. As you progress, the classes will likely get tougher, so its better to take them now rather than when you are really swamped.

Unless college has changed drastically from when I was there, fifteen credit hours is still pretty light. You may still be able to handle a part time job with that schedule. It should be apparent pretty quickly if it proves to be too much and it is much easier to drop a class than add one.

mirdorr

Heh. From an engineer's point of view, if you're looking toward political science 15 hours shouldn't be a problem! You're going to avoid most of the really nasty classes.

Seriously, I'd try 15. If it's that much of a problem, you might consider doing a 2 year college for the first 2 years and transferring back. Do what you can to keep your college life to 4 years.

Dartaignon

Take 12, stay in school as long as possible. You will just want to go back in the end :P

Shewdogg

Take 12, join a fraternity, enjoy life... says the 4th year sophomore.

Baloghdarogue

Go with 12 the first semester and make sure you get them.
If you take to much on the first semester there is a change you wont get any credit (own experience).
The first semester are always the hardest to get credit, lots of parties.
Once the first semester is over reality sets in (lots of people failing).
Better take it slow at first and take on more once you get into the groove.

Kanyli

First semester? Take 18...drop your least favorite (or hardest) class, and stay on gear for the four year deal. My college turned into five years, with what amounted to a double major (without the actual thing...blech!), and that extra year is costly!

First year classes generally aren't too difficult, so 15 shouldn't be too bad. Most colleges will let you drop a class later in the semester if you find yourself in too deep.

Unless your parents are paying...then do twelve, party till 4 AM every night, and go for the career student thing.


-Kanyli

Tierfin

you should be able to handle 15, first semester I had 14 and I thought it was easy as hell

i was trying to get 20 units this semester but im not sure if ill be able to crash what i need

general chem I - 5
calc II - 5
calc-based physics I - 4
US hist before 1865 - 3
western civilization history - 3

last 2 GEs I have to crash, doesn't look likely as of today =(

Palarran

Find out what your college's policy on dropping classes is. Mine had a remarkably lenient policy: I could drop a class anytime for any reason (completely removed from the transcript) until halfway through the semester. As a result it was in my best interests to sign up for a lot of classes, generally around 20 credits a semester, and then drop a class or two if needed. That also gave me room to drop a class if I found it particularly boring or at the wrong difficulty level for me.

Also keep in mind that the number of credits doesn't necessarily reflect the workload. The second semester of my freshman year I took 21 credits (including two 400-level classes) and it turned out to be the easiest semester of my college career, even easier than a 12-credit semester I had later on. If you can handle it, I'd recommend taking a lot of credits early on if you can. Some of the higher level classes later on may take a lot more time than the introductory classes you're probably taking now.

As far as credits from AP exams, I wouldn't let that influence any decisions right now. I came in with around 20 credits from AP's and ended up needing most of them to graduate on time due to illness. Besides, getting more credits than needed isn't a bad thing--you're getting more for your money. There are probably a bunch of fun classes too; try to throw one in whenever you sign up for classes that you know will be painful. It'll make the tough classes a lot more bearable, and will help prevent you from associating class with negative feelings. I took Ghanaian Drumming and Philosophical Problems in Space and Time

Do make sure you leave enough time for fun too. There's a lot more to college than classes, and you don't want to miss out on other parts of the college experience.

Carabella Valenteen

Take 15, Cen. It will be an adjustment, but you might as well get used to it. Also, don't work your first semester. Trust me, the money you save will not be worth it for the adjustment you will be making. Save work for the next semester or the next summer.

Good luck! Wittle Cen is gwowing up!