<p>Again, it depends on the student and the college. At a lot of large universities, if a student lives fairly far away from their classes, they'll take all their stuff and spend the hours between their classes studying in the library (or on the quad, or the student union, or an empty classroom, etc). If a student lives near their classes, they might just go back to the room after classes. Also, some people study more productively at the library where there aren't as many distractions, whereas some people study best when they can spread everything out on their bed and lie down to read. Do what works for you.</p>
<p>And the library is a good place to nap between classes too! At my school's main library, there are these nice soft leather chairs perfect for naptime.</p>
<p>At MIT, class units are assigned according to the amount of time you're "supposed" to spend on the class. A regular class is 12 units, meaning you're supposed to spend 5 hours in class and 7 hours on out-of-class work per week; many labs are 18 units, indicating 4 hours of class, 8 hours of lab, and "6" hours of homework per week. A normal courseload is 48 units -- so the average MIT student is supposed to spend 48 hours on school per week. We should totally get overtime.</p>
<p>(Sidenote: Last term I took 75 units. Anyone want to guess how glad I was when the semester was over?)</p>
<p>I agree that it depends on the college. I would suggest peeking at the Princeton Review's academic rating for your school. This is usually a good indication of the academic load (as well as quality). The closer the score is to 99, the more you will have to study. But expect to spend about 25-30 hours if you take 15 or 16 credits.</p>
<p>Like Feenotype, I've always been taught three hours per week per credit hour, but for a grade of C. This is the formula for any public college or university in California (UC, CSU, CC) in accordance with the California Master Plan for Education. But as everyone else says, it really depends on you.</p>
<p>Would a History class have papers, or exams, more than likely?</p>
<p>You'd have to study about 6 hrs everyday after you get home.</p>
<p>History classes tend to have more papers than exams, at least in my experience.</p>
<p>"Again, it depends on the student and the college. At a lot of large universities, if a student lives fairly far away from their classes, they'll take all their stuff and spend the hours between their classes studying in the library (or on the quad, or the student union, or an empty classroom, etc). If a student lives near their classes, they might just go back to the room after classes. Also, some people study more productively at the library where there aren't as many distractions, whereas some people study best when they can spread everything out on their bed and lie down to read. Do what works for you."</p>
<p>Is this studying in a local library or the school library?</p>
<p>3 hours a week per credit hour is fairly accurate. Some classes will require less, some more. It really depends on your motivation. If you want to go to graduate school, you are much more likely to study more than if you just wanted a degree. But, again, if you can master the material without spending 3 hours per credit hour, do not feel as if you are not stuying as much. Stuying does not matter, learning (comprehending) does.</p>
<p>3 hours of studying per credit hours is inaccurate. If you take 17 credits, that 68 hours of class and studying a week! Thats means you have to study at least 51 hours a week or more outside of class to "want a degree". Ridiculous...</p>
<p>I think for you Hiko, the standard will be 5 hours per credit hour.</p>
<p>Here is what I said: "3 hours a week per credit hour is fairly accurate. Some classes will require less, some more" Did you not read all the way through, kid?</p>
<p>"3 hours a week per credit hour is fairly accurate. Some classes will require less, some more. It really depends on your motivation. If you want to go to graduate school, you are much more likely to study more than if you just wanted a degree. But, again, if you can master the material without spending 3 hours per credit hour, do not feel as if you are not stuying as much. Stuying does not matter, learning (comprehending) does."</p>
<p>Sdizzle , What kind of statement is that? Are you saying that you have no life, because you put effort into making that post instead of studying?</p>
<p>Hiko, what kind of question is that? Are you saying people shouldn't write well?</p>
<p>Regarding what Sdizzle said (and reiterating it for your benefit), three hours per credit hour is what most people say, but your actual hours may vary. I took a 4 credit hour math class, and I can tell you that I definitely did not study for 12 hours a week; at most, it was 4 hours a week. The same goes for a language class that I took that was also 4 credit hours. I spent even less time studying for that than for my math class. At most, it was 2 hours of studying a week (more likely 1 hour a week), and I still got A's in both classes.</p>
<p>Hiko, part of the three hours a week includes the time you are in class. If you have a four unit class for example, usually you will spend 4 hours/week in class, and 8 hours/week studying. If you are a fast processor of information, you won't need that time; it's just a general estimate that takes into account all students, not just the super-cool overachievers one tends to find on this board. :-) </p>
<p>If you can read and retain information quickly, and you're good at analyzing on the spot, you won't need so much time. College is not about memorization, but analysis. If you're comfortable waiting 'til the test to perform your analysis over the material you've covered, you won't need to spend as much time studying. Many people aren't however (and for good reason), and need time to sit and think about what they've learned. Another huge time consumer is papers -- in classes with term papers, between research and writing, I've generally spent more than three hours a week on material, but of course most of that's in the 48 hours before the paper is due. :-) It's not an even three hours a week, but if when you start factoring in those sleepless nights to cram or finish (or write completely) papers, it works out.</p>
<p>I teach beginning foreign language classes. The homework counts 20%, participation counts 10%. Being absent makes you lose on both counts. My policy allows for four absences per semester without penalty. Any absence after that, I subtract 3% per absence from the final course average. Students take taht seriously and generally do well in my courses beause of it.</p>
<p>^ pretty much the same, except you only get 2 absences, I think.</p>
<p>I go to Midd</p>
<p>Last semester I was taking 12 credits and studied for an average of 20-25 hours per week. Actually was more towards 25 hours because it takes me longer than usual to write a paper and read, but I still managed to get a 3.5 GPA for that semester. I go to a state school.</p>