I’m going to register for classes soon. The classes I want to take are:
English 101H (3 credits)
Chemistry 131 (3 credits)
Chemistry 132 (1 credit)
Math (calculus) 140H (4 credits)
Humanities (part of a program I’m in) 105 (3 credits)
Spanish 301 (3 credits)
=17 credits
I went to a really rigorous high school and took 9 classes every semester, and most people from my school find college workloads manageable.
I’ve mapped out a schedule and it looks like I won’t be in class for too long, but I was curious about the workload, especially with Chemistry and Calculus.
Thoughts on 17 credits the first semester?
17 credits is very common for certain STEM majors - particularly Engineering, so it certainly isn’t unheard of or anything.
Foreign language courses are typically very time intensive and require a lot of outside work/preparation especially for upper division courses (is Spanish 301 upper division? At my school the first number - 3 - indicates the level.)
What was the highest level of math you took in high school? The pace of college Calculus can be overwhelming for people who haven’t had previous exposure to it – which means for a lot of people, getting a good grade means devoting a lot of time to tutoring/online resources/practice problems/etc.
Chemistry and Calculus are pretty difficult classes in college and 17 credit hours is pretty intense for a freshman. I recommend possibly dropping the 300 level Spanish class and sticking with 15 hours. It will give you a chance to adjust to the rigor of the coursework.
I think it’s fine. Keep the drop deadline in mind so you can drop a class if it proves too difficult to manage.
Taking chemistry and calculus together is pretty standard for many science majors, like chemistry or biology majors. It’s pretty routinely done.
From researching, the experience of others, and my limited experience with sitting in on college classes, I have to agree that 17 credits is a very heavy workload. I would say that you could attempt the workload until the drop deadline, and plan on dropping one of your classes. Adjustments between high school and college work can be tough, though it sounds like, from your description, your high school experience will give you a leg up. All the same, you might want to do a full-week schedule work-up. I know you said you mapped out what times you will be in class, but try mapping out what a typical week could look like. You will be in class 17 hours during the week (approx.), plus whatever extracurriculars you would like to join (clubs, etc.), plus time out with friends. Also, keep in mind that you will need time to study; most media, etc, or at least the ones that I have read, say 3 hours of studying to every hour in class. That is a LOT of time studying, and probably an overestimate for most people. Just keep in mind, whatever you decide, that you should do whatever you are most comfortable with; your instincts about most things will probably be right, and if you think you can handle this course load, you should give it a go. Hope this helped!
Thanks everyone for the advice! @preamble1776 I took Calculus this year and found it easier than Pre-Calculus (may have been the teacher), but I definitely expect it to be challenging in college. I’m most nervous about Chem.
SPAN301 is an upper-level class. My perception is that lower-level foreign language classes are the most intense- that’s why they’re usually 4 credits (sometimes 6).
My plan has been to register for these classes and drop Spanish if needed.
Chemistry 131 (3 credits)
Chemistry 132
is that with lab?
Chem 131 is the lecture and Chem 132 is the lab
17 credits is fine. I took 18 my first two semesters and was nothing special in high school. Granted, it was less classes and more credits per (4 classes at 4 credits, labs/etc for the rest) but this looks fine to me. Calculus isn’t that band until you hit Calc 3. As you said, worst case you drop Spanish. Go for it and feel it out.