<p>Out of curiosity, when you're a freshman in Fordham, how many classes do you get per-day? How long are those classes per-day? Also as a freshman, do you get to pick the option of having Morning or Afternoon classes. I'm asking this because I was wondering....is it possible to be a student at Fordham University as well as have a part-time job on the weekdays? Best of Thanks to anyone that answers this question ! :)</p>
<p>The university does not recommend working, except perhaps as work study (answering phones and places where some reading and studying could be done…). The work load at Fordham is heavy enough and challenging enough that you really need to get off to a good start with study habits, grades and socializing. The transition from high school to college is shocking to many and at Fordham its also tough because its well…New York City. Very competitive. </p>
<p>Freshman courses are determined by the university and your academic advisor…there are narrow opportunities to change a few things, but the core recruirements take up all your time. And within that core, you will tell them your preferences, which are normally met…so music history, or history of jazz, or opera survey course etc…for that arts requirement, e.g. Plus they determine your needs coming in vis a vis science and math…and place you accordingly. Ditto for language…which is done online with a placement test. </p>
<p>Most wednesdays are free days…some rare exceptions, like accounting etc. You have most often 3 classes a day, but sometimes 2 and sometimes 4. It varies from department to department and how many AP’s you had coming in and the course offerings at Fordham that semester. Its not 4 a day every day. That would be overly strenuous and cruel. The READING load is very heavy. Do NOT procrastinate. Do NOT get behind. Plus you have to research for papers…and you will write a LOT of papers. </p>
<p>Now, as kids assimilate and learn the ropes and so forth, some do have a simple job, or internship as upperclassmen. Its done a lot. But as Freshmen its NOT recommended. You have enough going on to keep up and perform. </p>
<p>My recommendation for kids is to start looking for a summer job NOW, and start maybe some work NOW, and save every blessed dime you earn this summer, so you have enough spending money and more “freedom.” </p>
<p>Also, kids at Fordham tend to study late into the night. For better or worse. Or you are studying and some clown down the hall is blasting music. Dorm drama ensues. Normal college crud. So you have to find locations and places to study that are quiet and you can focus…and the time of day or night which is best for you. Are you a night owl? </p>
<p>My kid found the basement…as in the pipes…of Queens to be a great place to get away…or the laundry room…while doing laundry…you learn to get your reading done in odd places. And yes the library too! But its not open until 100am, for example. </p>
<p>Borrow the money you need, work like a dog this summer (no expensive leisurely vacations) and give yourself that freedom as a Freshman. But on the other hand, the meal plan is also designed to help those on a tight budget…they just eat every meal in the cafeteria…and dont go out drinking or eating in restaurants. </p>
<p>The bottom line is that Fordham is a very rigorous academic environment. To some, its not a problem…used to heavy work load and very good work habits…lots of AP’s etc. To others its a shock…and some kids really struggle with that…and as the semester goes on the workload increases. So you better buckle down and get it done. </p>
<p>If you are organized and disciplined and focused, its not a problem. Its the undisciplined, the unfocused, the disorganized and the procrastinators who really struggle and sometimes fail. </p>
<p>Hope that helps.</p>
<p>As a first semester freshman at RH you are given a schedule (I heard that LC students self-schedule but I’m not positive). If you need to make changes, you will have time to see your dean at orientation. I would think that if you need some time free to work, that would be a reasonable reason to ask for a schedule change. Most classes meet for an hour and fifteen minutes on either Monday/Thursday or Tuesday/Friday although as a freshman my son had a classes on Wednesday one semester. Some classes are offered once a week for three hours at night as well. After that first semester you schedule your own classes so you can arrange things as you like.</p>
<p>If it is possible to not work during your first semester (or minimize your work hours) it would give you some time to adjust to college life and college work levels. But if you have to work, you should be able to find a block of time to do so.</p>
<p>I am not in college but from what I have heard you should not work your first semester because you should know how heavy your workload is without a job before you get one. but like others have said it’s not a great idea to work a “real” job and study! Unfortunately I can’t work during the summer so instead I’ve been saving up money all throughout this school year.</p>