Hi Guys,
I checked most of the related topics before I open that topic. It seems like -depending on how dedicated the student is- 12-18 units have been adviced to take for the first semester.
I would like to ask specifically about PCC. English is my secondary language. Last time when I was in a school as a student was almost 15 years ago. :)) :)) And it was in another country with a totally different education system. I really want to study in a college and transfer to a good university, my major is Tv, Film and Electronic Media. So I chose my classes already. It is totally 16 units. I’m scared if it is too much. Please share your ideas with me!!
I know it depends on me mostly, but at least can you please give me some pieces of advice depending on your experience with these classes and College? I choose 1 class from my major and 1 English class depending on my replacement test and 3 classes from GEs for transfer curriculum.
4 units of ESL Reading-Writing Lvl 5
3 units of Introductory Psychology
3 units of Introductory Sociology
3 units of Humanities, Science and Technology
3 units of required courses for my major, I’m on the waitlist for the beginning level of Tv Writing and Electronic Filmmaking.
I also work online, around 20-25 hrs a week and Saturdays.
Do you need to carry a certain minimum courseload for financial aid purposes? If not, I would start with one or two classes.
First of all, thank you for your time 
Yes, I do. 12 units for financial aid. Sociology is Fully Online. I managed to gather my classes in to 2 and a half days
You might want to make sure that you know what the dates are by which you can drop a class. Frequently there will be one date that you can drop a class without it showing up on your record at all (sometimes the end of the first week of classes, which might have been today for some students), and a different date by which you can drop a class and all that shows up on your record is a W. The “W” means that you started taking the class and dropped it (“Withdrew”). A small number of W’s on your record shouldn’t be any problem. I still have an “I” (“Incomplete”), which is pretty much the same thing, from 1972 and it has never caused me any problem at all.
I used to start every semester (or quarter in graduate school) with one extra class, knowing that I would drop one by the end of the first week.
16 units are a lot if you are also working 1/2 time. 12 units might be a bit easier to start with. How difficult your ESL class turns out to be might depend upon how strong your English already is. I will note that your original post is well written.
thank you for your answer @DadTwoGirls. Yes, you are so right about the dates to drop a class. I checked them and they are at the end of the first week. My semester will start on 19th February so I still have time. It is good to know that a small number of "W"s and "I"s will not be a problem, of course, it is better not to take advantage of that :)) which I think I’m very capable of :))
I registered to 13 units so far and I’m on the waitlist of required classes for my major, so I was thinking that worst case scenario I will not register that last class if any seats become available. On the other hand, I feel so attracted to get closer to finish that 60 units that I need for Transfer. Again, It is better to be safe than sorry. Because you are right I don’t know how difficult my ESL class will be!
Thank you for underlining that my original post is well written. The thing is I read and edit it 4 times to make it good tho :))
I’d take EITHER psychology OR sociology.
If you have experience with online learning and did well previously, choose that as it’s flexible.
If you DON’T have experience with online learning adjust to college first and take a regular ‘face to faxe’ class instead.
@MYOS1634 Thank you for your advice!
It’s a lot of reading. Do you read English easily? Do you often run into words you don’t know and have to stop to look them up?
I agree to take sociology OR psych, not both. If you want to stay with 1-16 credits, add in something you enjoy but will satisfy a core requirement - a science, art, music. Do you have any math requirements?