<p>That’s not normal. But “normal” isn’t important, what matters is whether you are happy. Judging by the fact that you chose to post this, I’m thinking you probably aren’t.</p>
<p>OP, since the idea of “normal” is subjective, like some other posters have said, I think that your focus should be more on what makes you happy than what those around you or those of us out here on the internet are doing. I too go to what I’d consider an “academic” school, and would consider myself to be very academically oriented. I spend about as much or even more time as you do studying, but that doesn’t mean I don’t still have friends, fun and a social life. You can study a lot and still be a happy, fulfilled person (not to say that you’re not, but you seem unhappy with your current situation). I’d ditto what others said about making time for relaxation/fun. If your peers seem cutthroat or boring or whatever and you can’t find fun people, I’d suggest being that fun person who rallies others to loosen up a bit. Even when I study from noon to 8 on the weekend, I still make to stop work then and go hang out with friends at night. During the week I make time to do stuff I enjoy - workout in the morning with a run/bike/swim/gym/whatever, have lunch with friends and go to club meetings in the evenings. Taking an hour or so out of a 24 hour day for yourself can definitely be healthy and make the time you do spend studying more happy and productive and less overwhelming. And even if you can’t do that everyday or week (as some are certainly busier than others) there is probably at least a little downtime in the semester for even the busiest schedules. You are a human being, not a machine; enjoy life a bit :)</p>
<p>Just out of curiosity, are you at Princeton or Chicago by any chance?</p>
<p>I go to one of the two you listed and yes this is essentially my life.</p>
<p>Depends entirely on several factors: what day of the week it is, how determined you are to do well, and how much you value sleep.</p>
<p>I’m serious on that last one. Although I probably spend at least 4+ hours a day doing work, I’m a varsity athlete and involved in several other clubs as well. The key is balance and realizing that you don’t actually need as much sleep as you think (haha). But I think you should be able to go out at least one night a week (Friday or Saturday?) and socialize without having to stay in and do work.</p>
<p>You’re a first-semester freshman. Relax. It may not get easier to di the actual work, but it’ll get easier to manage your time and have more time to yourself.</p>