I will have around 67 total semester units left starting in the Fall of 2016 (next year)? Realistically, can I get this done within 2 years if I started school again by then?
I have my GEs (IGETC certification) plus Calculus (1/2/3) series and Differential Equations DONE. I also have the Physics (all three 200 levels) series finished as well. Chem, not yet. It’s included in the 67 units I will have to complete.
Due to personal and extenuating circumstances, the earliest I can start back with school again is Fall of 2016. You guys think I can get this done by summer 2018?
Any tips and suggestions? I plan on NOT working, and going full-time. I’m guessing it’s around 5 and half semesters or so, but I might be able to cut that down if I take a course or two in the summers, if available.
At most semester programs, 67 hours is pretty close to half. Half of a 128 hour program is 64. Take something over a summer and you should be right on track if you can manage 16 hours each of the remaining semesters.
Depends on the classes and your aptitude. At 17 credits average, that’s about 6 classes per semester. That is a stretch if most of those classes are technical, but it most certainly can be done.
Also, look at the prerequisite series for the major classes. Sometimes you need 3 years at the very least to finish the prereq series.
If you average 17 credits per semester, you will complete 68 credits in four semesters. The main thing to consider is how long the prerequisite sequences of your remaining required courses are.
It would help if you named your school and what requirements you have already completed.
Yes, but make sure to plan the course sequence in advance to the best of your ability so that you don’t get snagged up by classes that are not offered both semesters. Take a singleton or two during the summer to give a tad of wiggle room. When there’s a will there’s a way.
Thanks guys and gals. I attend Cal State Long Beach. I’ve pretty much completed all of my GEs and Calc/Physics series. I’ve taken a general introductory course for freshmen engineering students a while back. Along with those, I’ve taken most of the lower division courses like Graphic Design, Comp Methods, Statics, Manufacturing Process, etc. I haven’t taken Chem yet but I plan on taking the corresponding Chem class at a CC. I believe I still have like 2 more lower division courses I need to take besides Chem.
For the most part, it’s pretty much all of the upper division major-specific courses and electives that I’d need to take, plus like two other non-major related courses that’s required of me to graduate, based on the curriculum.
Yeah, 16-17 credits per semester seems like it would overwhelm me and most likely affect my overall performance, which would lower my GPA. I have a 3.3333… and I want to increase that, so I’m leaning towards taking around 12-13 credits so as to “lessen” the burden a bit. Then I’ll see how I perform on that plan. Basically, I’m alright with graduating within 3 years or less from when I start in the Fall of 2016 with a higher GPA (I plan on attending grad school) as opposed to “hurrying” it all up within 2 years and having my GPA suffer for it.
Sorry if any of that seem too cluttered. Also, do the upper division core classes seem more interesting and “fun” to learn, and maybe even easier, than getting through the “weed out” courses like the Calc and Physics series? I went through hell with those. Not only am I dyslexic, but I also suffer from severe ADHD and clinical depression (part of the reason I “walked away” from school for almost 2 years). But I’m here now and ready again. I just want to be as prepared as possible for what’s ahead of me a year from now.
Anyway, thanks so much in advance for all of your input. I am very much appreciative of it.
Upper division classes are tougher by a fair bit. There is less to help you and the material is generally more difficult (though not always). The lower level classes are a test to see whether or not you are capable of dealing with the higher level ones.
The people who generally talk about classes being “fun” are in the middle of the pack in terms of success; things are a lot more “fun” when you only work hard enough to get B’s. Even the most enthusiastic A students I know got burned out sooner or later and by the last years, just wanted to get it over with.
You might like upper division courses better than lower level science classes. Both my nephew and my daughter didn’t like Chem, one is no longer premed. My daughter did have very good chem teacher in high school. She is now focusing on getting good grades in her major but I would say didn’t put in much effort at Chem. I can’t blame her because I hated Chemistry. The lab particularly.
Course sequence is very critical in planning, particularly if a course only offer in certain semester. For my D, I thought she may finish her ChemE degree in 3 years as she would have ~ 70 credits before starting sophomore year. However, I figured out she will need at least 2.5 years more (3.5 years total) due to the course sequence.
