I recently transferred from a private college to a public university, and I’m finding some of my credit hours are not going to transfer. In order to qualify for my program (education) by spring my junior year, I’m going to have to take 17 and 18 hours every semester. Is this going to be incredibly overwhelming and hard, or is it manageable? I’m also working part time (relatively flexible hours), dating, and have a relatively active social life. Tips for managing this course load?
The number of hours may be less conservative important than course selection. There are some classes such as the orientation or introduction types, PE, classes that grade on attendance like music appreciation and so on. For example, taking PE and freshman orientation may accrue hours with minimal impact on difficulty. A student may also have areas of academic interest and talent that can support GPA. For example, a sister took math classes to correct improve GPA. Consider combining a class with a heavy reading load with a class labs. So, 18 hours may not be a big problem if classes are selected for balance. Listen to other students comments on class difficulty, format, boringhood, and so on. Overall, class selection can have a positive impact on the difficulty of 18 hours.
I agree, the courses and the balance make all the difference, not the credits. You need to balance hard classes with easier classes The semester I took Fundamentals of Abstract Math (300-level course), Discrete Math for CS, music theory I, a writing/reading based seminar, and a dance technique class was not bad at all. The semester I took Abstract Algebra I, Algorithms, Intermediate German II (without having a formal class before; I placed into it because I can understand stand it since my mom is German, but couldn’t write, and could barely speak or read), Dance History, and Music Composition was way, way worse; I averaged about 4 hours a sleep a night during the week and basically slept through Saturdays.