School Question!!!

psychbabe314 · October 2013

Anyone ever taken 21 college credits during their undergrad? It is looking as if I am going to have to do that for my spring semester. Any advice or ideas? I have to get an override from my school because they don't typically let students go over 18 credits without special permission, so it is ~ 1 class more than they recommend.

blabla89 · October 2013

I had to do that one semester because I dropped a class freshman year. Not sure what year you are, but if you can take one or two easy classes this semester, or classes that you're really interested in, that will make it much less stressful.Taking a little time each weekend to plan ahead for assignments, tests and extracurricular stuff in the coming week also makes it less stressful. Also, plan your schedule to include some down time during the day, especially for lunch because your brain needs food. Hope that helps!

tuarceatha · October 2013

I think my max was 18 credits, but that was quite a few years ago or so it seems. My advice is keep up on sleep, because your days are gonna be full of courses and coursework. Good luck!

cu97tiger · October 2013

My max was 19 credits, and that was stretching it. You'll need to be uber-organized. Hopefully none of those classes are homework/reading intensive, but I'm guessing if you're this far along, they probably are!

labro · October 2013

I think I took something like 21 credits the fall semester of my senior year and 18 or 19 the spring semester of my senior year. Those two semesters were my best out of all four years...I achieved Dean's List both times while balancing marching band, basketball pep band, and the student newspaper.

I think what made it work for me was that it was my senior year and the classes I was in were all really interesting to me. I wasn't in any of the tiresome gen eds at that point so I was really motivated and focused. I kept a huge planner with my classes blocked out for the whole year and I was really dedicated about 1. Not procrastinating on those long-term assignments (like major research papers due at the end of the semester 2. Showing up to each class prepared with the reading 3. Blocking out time on my schedule to study for tests. Basic stuff like that. I really fucked up my freshman year and I had already taken away a lot from those early, humiliating lessons about the importance of self-accountability, focus, and dedication to studying, showing up to class, stuff like that.

The dreams happen less now but for several years after college I used to have nightmares about those two semesters. It was a repeating dream where I was halfway through the semester and realized that I had signed up for a course that I had completely forgotten to show up for. In the dream I was failing (although in reality I probably would have been kicked out for lack of attendance) and my GPA was completely screwed. The dream varied sometimes and changed to me forgetting about a major test or huge project until the day it was scheduled/due. Not fun...

Blackbird230 · October 2013

My max was 19, but one of the classes was a 7 week course so it ended halfway through and the rest of the semester was smooth sailing.

cowgirl8238 · October 2013

It can be stressful to have a 21 credit course load but I think it depends on the classes you are taking. If they are upper level classes they may be conisdered harder but I found those classes much easier! For one it is more interesting and goes along with your major. Also those professors tend to give you little to no busy work, meaning as long as you show up and do any reading you'll be fine.

My advice is to stay focused and don't put off any assignments. Try to have everything done a day or two (for small stuff) and a week (for larger stuff) done ahead of time. This gives you a built in time to revise it or do an "opps I forgot" assignment. Also make sure you start studying a little bit each day for your exams. Trying to cram for that many finals into a week and half will kill your brain and grades!

If you are nervous about course load see if you can look up the course syllabus before you enroll and read reviews of the professor both online or from anyone else you know who had that professor. Most of all get your rest and you'll be okay.

[Deleted User] · October 2013

I never took more than 16 credit hours but I had a lot on my plate so I didn't want to overload myself. 21 is a lot of hours so just make sure to really plan ahead with your daily tasks and outside activities and try to stay as organized as possible.

CLoGreenEyes · October 2013

Like Peach, I never did more than 15-16 credits at a time. I would rather take a winter or summer class than overload myself during the semester - sanity is worth a lot these days, lol! Is there any way you can split them up so as not to have to do them all at once?

If not, then definitely the key will be staying organized and getting ahead. Learn to skim and cover the main points of all your reading and assignments. Have your to-do list every week and know what you have to get done to stay on track. And be sure to have a night to yourself every week where you just relax and don't worry about school. Definitely don't let yourself get burnt out.

loves2shop4shoes · October 2013

I took 20 hours one semester.

I wanted to die.

Then again, I also worked 3 jobs in college + a sorority + organized a fundraiser for pediatric AIDS/HIV + was the vice chairwoman of the Allocations Board (a semi-administrative student group with an annual budget of $600k whose job it is to allocate the funds to other groups for events).

Oh yeah, plus having friends and DH.

KeptInStitches · October 2013

I took 21 credits one semester and ended up dropping back to 16. It only took me a month to have a full-scale nervous breakdown. I think it really depends on what classes they are and your general temperament (I'm kind of like that high string on a violin that's wound really tightly and vibrates all the damn time).

FWIW, I was taking statics, organic chemistry II, calc-based physics II, chem e unit operations, differential equations, chem e lab I, and university band. I dropped o chem II.

GoldenPenguin · October 2013

I don't remember college. Because

and

bethsmiles · October 2013

If you are going to do this I suggest taking either a shorter weekend class along with some online classes. Taking a weekend class will suck for the month you are in it but you will be so grateful come finals time! And an online class or two will make things more manageable throughout the semester.

psychbabe314 · October 2013

@Brisox81 - yep :-) If only!

Thank you everyone! I feel less stressed about it now. Three of the courses would be online (I think a total of 6 or 7 credits) so that does make it a lot easier. Other than that, I would have a lab and lecture pair, and the only class that I can see being really rough would be my physiology class because I have heard that it can kick ass. But, if I start studying for it over winter break... get ahead... my mom is a nurse, so she could help me out a lot... It could end up being easier than I am expecting it to be!

One class I failed (oops!) and now have to go back and retake it, but it should be easier this time around. and two stats class (part I and II on alternating days). But... I might drop the second one and pick up public speaking. I don't know... If I do that then I would be put off until next fall because this is the last semester that both stats classes are being offered. No summer course!!! GAH!!!!

I did take AP Stats though, and everyone I know who had taken that class has said that it is identical. The teacher wouldn't give me an override this semester so now I am screwed I guess!

OnceUponAVine · October 2013

I'm kind of a pro at crazy college loads (I averaged about 20 credits credits a semester) and my main advice is unless you are one of the most organized people on earth AND a super reader - don't do it. I would definitely suggest checking to see if any of the classes you need are available during the winter semester. Those extra three credits don't seem like a lot until you have midterms, term papers, and finals all due at the same time. But, if you go through with it then good luck!

phira · October 2013

This is going to sound really stupid, but how many classes is that? I went to a university that had a really weird credit system, where basically a regular course was 1 credit per semester. So for me, a 4 credit semester was normal, 5 was heavy, and 5.5 was pushing the limits of sanity.

KeptInStitches · October 2013

@phira, a 21 credit load would typically be something like 7 classes meeting 3 hours a week (MWF for 50 min, TH for 75 min). Labs usually count for 1 credit, lectures count for 1 credit per hour.

psychbabe314 · October 2013

Sorry, I was at class! KeptInStitches is right about the corse load. Except my labs are usually 2 courses. My lectures are all 3-4 credits, so 2-4 times a week, depending on the days. MWF or Tuesday and Thursday, or MTW and Thursday. Tuesdays and Thursdays are 1 hour and 15 minutes long.

@phira, basically for me 1 credit equals ~1 hour a week in class. 3 credits are about 3 hours a week in class. Some are a bit different, like labs because they can end up being 2-4 hours long but only be worth 1 credit (such as my chemistry lab currently).

@Bethany&Raymond - I can be very organized. I am taking 17 credits right now and have been managing to keep organized and work. I am a very fast reader, and a good reader, so that helps a lot with a large course load as you have said.

phira · October 2013

Thanks everyone! I felt so weird not knowing the comparison ... I can't believe how weird the credits are at my old college.

psychbabe314 · October 2013

phira said:

Thanks everyone! I felt so weird not knowing the comparison ... I can't believe how weird the credits are at my old college.

They do seem a bit strange! What was a 1/2 credit like? You said you could take 5.5 credits?

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