Credit Hour Guilt

Student Lounge College Life
1

Hello!
I am a Physics major currently in my Sophomore year.
Fall freshman semester I took 19/21 credits because I couldn’t fit another course, and Spring I took 21/21 credits. This semester I am enrolled in 21/21 credits again. I feel super stressed out. This is my first semester working (1 day a week) and I will also be doing grading for a professor.

My courses this semester:
Physics III
Calc III
Statics
Traditions in East Asia
Intro to Drawing

I really want to drop Intro to Drawing, but I feel guilty not taking as many credits as possible. I am 60% done my major after this semester and 80% done my credit requirements after this semester. Once again, I am a Sophomore and not looking to graduate early. I am nervous of having to cram my schedule with upper level physics and math courses later in my undergrad career if I drop this course. Any advice?

2

What upper level physics and math courses would have their timing affected by not taking this drawing class?

3

IMO that is way too much. I would definitely drop a class.

4

How many credits are required for your major/college to graduate? Take that number and divide by 8 semesters (or your number of terms).

Most majors require 120-130 credits to graduate. That’s 15-17 per semester. 21 is over enrolled at most colleges. My D had to pay for any credits above 19.

5

I have to take an Art course to graduate. I only mean that I do not want to slack off now and have a full schedule later when I move on to even more difficult physics/math courses. It will not directly affect me taking those courses, I’m just nervous about not being able to focus all my attention on them.

6

Go ahead and drop it. Sounds to me like you are using good judgement figuring this out. We purposely had our older son take much less than the maximum all the way through in order to have a better college experience. He ended up enjoying his last couple of years and finishing on time.

7
  1. So 16 a semester. I suppose it isn't necessary to take it now, thank you.
8

Thank you

9

You should average 15-16 per semester. Curriuculums are designed so you can take that many courses and graduate with what you need. Don’t overstress yourself!!!

10

Studio art classes take a LOT of time – my kid found that the studio time was much higher for his fine arts class than as compared to the time spent doing reading/papers in other courses. So if it is not a “must do” it this semester, drop the drawing class.

Going forward, if you aren’t thrilled about a studio art class (and maybe you are, and it’s just this is a busy semester), see whether art history or music classes meet your arts requirement – those can be great life long learning class and very enjoyable for those who are so inclined.