So I am going to be a junior in high school, but i have decided to become a full time pseo student (so im basically a full time college student by taking all my classes at the University instead of high school, and getting college credit for them). So my adviser said that I should only sign up for 3 classes my first semester so I don’t get overwhelmed, and put off math until next semester so that math and science doesn’t become too difficult. so this is what I would take
Intro to Chem
Intro to literature
World History
Those 3 classes only add up to 11 credits which feels small, and i also have a art requirement i need to make this year, so do you think if i added a 4 credit art course in ceramics or painting, that it would be manageable? Because I think an Art course wouldn’t be as difficult, and that with such a light schedule, I should be fine. I also don’t want to make up for the 4 credits im not taking this semester since i plan to leave high school with 60 college credits like some other former pseo students have. Thank you!
For a college student, 15-16 credits is a full time course load to graduate in 8 semesters, while 12 credits is the usual minimum for full time student status for financial aid purposes. Of course, since you are still a high school student, you may not want to take a full time college course load the first semester.
Which subjects are your strongest and weakest subjects? You may be able to take a higher course load in your strong subjects than in your weak subjects. Also be aware that courses with labs (e.g. chemistry), art studio, or large term projects can be more time consuming than other courses.
This depends on you. Other than your classes, what commitments will you have? How prepared do you think you are? Have you ever taken an AP class?
I took university classes full-time in my senior year. I was able to handle more than my adviser recommended, probably because I wasn’t as busy with ECs as a lot of people are.
There’s definitely nothing wrong with taking 11 credit hours to be safe, but your adviser might be giving a blanket answer that doesn’t apply to you as much as it might apply to others. (For example, not everyone thinks math is more difficult than literature.)
I definitely would consider starting with the 11 credits. I have read many a story here on CC about someone who takes too many college courses, doesn’t do well, and is stuck with those grades in their college GPA forever.
However, if you are tops in your classes and have no issues with math, then maybe add the math.