I am a junior mechanical engineering major at Cal Sate Northridge. Lately I have been having trouble keeping up with my undergraduate full time studies mainly because I have to work 30 hours a week while taking major classes. I plan on some point to stop working most likely my senior year for my final design project. However I am worried that attending part time will hurt me when applying to grad school. I have seen the effects of exhaustion and lack of sleep on me and, frankly I dont want to go through what i went again. I was in therapy for anxiety and depression this past yer (2016). Doctors have recommended me to slow down which I fully intend to. But, I would like to know if my opportunities will get hurt while doing so? Now, with this said, even though i only take around two courses per semester, these are courses like thermodynamics, multi-variable calculus, physics, etc, so I still have a pretty hard semester regardless, but i sleep more, which has been crucial in my recovery. I have a 4.0 GPA and I plan on attending USC for mechanical engineering graduate studies.
No, if you have to work to support your college education, it is very reasonable to be part-time. The important thing is that you do well in your courses so if this helps you to do well, then go for it.