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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

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 =(

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.

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!

I find it funny when people say "don't work". Me personally, I still live with my folks but pay my college tuition and car payments on my own (not by choice). =\

This is my first semester and I'm starting with 16 (one is for excel certification, done on my own time). I don't think its going to be too bad, but then its only been a week. Next semester I think I'm going to take 12, since I have some credits from a community college class I took last summer (3.33 in fact). Anyway, I don't know what kind of person you are, but if you like to study take all 15, if you like to go out, meet people, socalize, drink, whatever take 12 and spend more time meeting people.

adding to what Seth said...

and if you play EQ, stay out of college, you will waste time/money doing absolutely nothing but going to class, playing EQ in "downtime" Either you are a genius and will pass or you will FAIL all your classes. Especially if you are overweight, nerdy, or antisocial AND play EQ, stay out of college and conquer you parents basement.

im sure i can point out a few people who got fucked over by wasting their time playing EQ

sorry cant help u. got to figure it out on your own based on your own personality. some people can handle 15 hours and a full time job. some struggle with just 12 and no job. only thing i can say is screw the fraternity BS. buying friends is just pathetic (dont flame me, im of course just poking fun at some of the kids i knew back in my first college experience).

I'm probably going to end up taking 12, due to the waitlist on the particular class I want. I figure that with 12 I'll be able to get a good feel for the amount of coursework I can be prepared to expect, then bump my credit hours up to 15 or 16 by next semester with a declared major. I'm still out on getting a job though - I'm not on my parent's money (outside of tuition and basic university costs) so cash is an issue, but so is study time. I'm not a partying, social, get-fucked-up every night type of person - but I don't play EQ anymore. Heh. So I guess it kinda balances out.

I don't want to screw myself if I get a job and end up failing a class because of it - that's my biggest concern. Thanks again for all the advice. I'll keep you all advised. :P

--Cen

its your first year, just take a shitload of GE classes and get it over with. college is so much easier then hs in my opinion, you take so much less hours and they dont feed you bs, just the facts. i admit it goes a lil faster, but once you get used to it you will be fine. i could take as much as 24 units my first semester (if your schedule is right) of college and it would be the same amount of hours a week i took in highschool. so 15 would be that bad, its like a lil more then half of a usually highschool week. either that or just take some summer school classes and to catch up. after that, make your own choice on what you want to do the following years.

btw didnt read other posts

im sure i can point out a few people who got fucked over by wasting their time playing EQ

Hi!!!

Now that I have no interest in EQ, it's weird. Console games aren't quite as addicting and you can't play them in 24 hour stretches. Also you don't have dickheads like (Insert name of an Ebayed Landslide High Elf cleric that is now an officer) try and flame you if you don't play your game for 4 hours straight. This semester I actually bought books, even weird I've already opened them and read some, even weirder I did reading on a weekend, and the weirdest of all is I'm doing studying on the first week instead of cramming on the 16th week of the semester!!

But yeah, someone said it right, conquer your parents basement. Don't get me wrong there is nothing *wrong* with EQ other than the fact it can become a HUGE timesink.

when i actually typed that i was thinking bout you steve :o

i just didn't want to put people's names

Ok I won't name names, but playing EQ stops some people from going out and hooking up with semi-ok underage rich chicks from beverly hills.

So here I am a sophomore in chemical engineering at one of the top chemical engineering schools in the nation while also enrolled in the honors college with a full ride....

first semester 16 hrs
second 15hrs
third 17 hrs

also i have completed honors classes in english philosophy and chemistry

dork right?

nah ive been to my share of frat parties several "girlfriends" and plenty of trips most notably mardi gras

its all about time management and enjoying what your learning

the more you enjoy your college life the easier it all becomes

~poptartt

Good point though, it's all about blending a good mix of partying according to how hard you work. If you sit around and really don't do shit, then you'll go to parties and have a mediocre time. If you bust your ass and work hard, then come Thursday and Friday night you'll have a blast knowing you've taken care of your shit and can unwind.

One of the things my fraternity has taught me is that always remember that Fraternity (and partying) is a supplement to school, not the other way around. You're in school for a reason, make it the best years of your life, but don't waste it by JUST studying and by not studying enough.