<p>I've been looking at classes available at my school this coming fall (i'll be a freshman) and trying to figure out a schedule before going in for registration in a few days. I have a schedule that I like, but the problem is that on MWF I have a class 9:15-10:20, another 10:30-11:35, and a third 11:45-12:50. Assuming that the classes start and end on schedule, I'm pretty sure I could make it on time to each class since the campus is small. The only thing I'm worried about is if the classes ever run over their ending time and/or start a few minutes early. Do these things happen? Is it bad planning on my part to only leave 10 min between classes? Also, the class sizes are small (20 or less), so it's not like I could discretely leave a class a bit early if it's running over its scheduled time. </p>
<p>Has anyone had a similar experience or have any advice? I'd really appreciate it.</p>
<p>Although classes generally don't start early, this is not always the case. I once had a course where the professor always started 10 minutes early to go over homework and practice problems. It would have been a big disadvantage to miss that part of the course. Also classes sometimes do run over depending on the professor. I would not only have 10 minutes in between classes especially if you will be worried about being late. Being late is not always "no big deal" especially if it's a seminar - some professors really value being on-time.</p>
<p>Yeah, but they will understand if you have a class, and also.. its not a big deal if you leave class a few minutes early every day, especially if you just talk to your professors... remember professors are extremely understanding if you discuss the problems with them before its a problem.</p>
<p>It often hard to avoid scheduling classes back-to-back. Classes should not run more than 2 or 3 minutes late on a regular basis. If your classes are physically close (you can walk from one room to the next in 5 minutes), you should be fine.</p>
<p>Just wanted to add, my college's campus is small (1,500 students), but walking across campus in 10 minutes would be tricky.</p>
<p>Look at where the classes are located and possibly practice the walk before classes start. If you have a very large campus (one that you need to ride a bus to get from one end to the other) then it might be tougher to get from one end to the other in 10 minutes. If it's a small city campus like mine you should be able to make 90% of the walks in 10 minutes or less</p>
<p>No one cares if you're 3-4 minutes late. I've seen people come to class 30 minutes late, and unless you're in discussion, the teachers don't care.</p>
<p>One of my fondest college memories is trying to make it from a class in the eastern most building on campus to one in the western most building in 10 mins. Under ideal conditions it was just barely possibly if I ran a little. At the time I vowed to never plan a schedule like that again. Today, I think about it and smile.</p>
<p>Yes. Really don't worry about if you really want to take these classes. You'll probably be late on the first week but you'll find a shorter route after that. If its a small class explain to the prof that you have a class before hand so when you come in it won't look rude.</p>
<p>I agree that most professors don't care, but for a few it is a big issue. If it turns out that you will be late frequently, I would ask the professor if s/he minds.</p>
<p>It is <em>probably</em> fine. You may be late, but usually that is not a problem, especially if you let the professor know that you have a class in x building beforehand and/or that the professor holds you over. Most of my professors don't comment on late-comers no matter how late they are. However, it is the case that some professors care about being on time--I had a professor like that my first semester (seminar/discussion style class). She was more lenient to students coming from further away, however. </p>
<p>I will say though, that you might not want to take three classes right in a row--you might feel a little burnt out with no break. I mean, people do it of course, but I and many people I know prefer not to take back-to-back-to-back classes. Just something to think about.</p>
<p>thanks everyone for your help. I just realized that two of those classes are in the same building, so that should be fine. I might try to reschedule my 10:30-11:35 class though. I'll see what my adviser says too.</p>
<p>j/k. I got the same situation. But, different buildings. I asked around and even at a large campus like mine, it's not too difficult. Otherwise, you just adjust. Or sneak out of the first class early.</p>
<p>I did it a few times. In those cases, I emailed the professors and let them know that I had class across campus immediately before/after, so I'd always try to make it work, but that I would probably have to leave if we ran over, and might sometimes be a minute or two late. I just asked them to please let me know if they thought that would pose any problems.</p>
<p>I never had a professor who gave me a hard time, and I never had a class that I was consistently late to (or from which I consistently needed to leave early). When I was a moment late, though, or did head out when class ran over, the professors knew it wasn't just rudeness or apathy on my part, and that was very important to me. </p>
<p>Just because a professor doesn't react doesn't mean (s)he doesn't care, and in any case, coming late and/or walking out before dismissal both appear disrespectful. It's worth sending an email or saying a quick word on your first day just to make sure that you have an understanding (or to change your schedule immediately if you don't).</p>
<p>The problem I have with back to back to back classes is A) finding time to go to the bathroom within those classes which can cause me to be late B) this can be a problem if professors like to give pop quizzes in the beginning of classes that can not be made up C) I might need something to eat or drink to help me make it through the day D) needing that extra bit of time to study before a quiz or exam E) having to make it from one side of campus to another in order to make it to your next class on time is a pain in the ass and I hate being late in general F) feeling burnt out, etc.</p>
<p>It's not that bad though, it can just be stressful at times. And I wouldn't schedule back to back to back classes early in the morning.</p>
<p>In the past I have done this, and also I will have two classes this fall that are back to back and far away from each other, though fortunately they will be 15 minutes apart (one ends at 1:45, the next starts at 2) because they are TR classes. One class is in the business building on the very north corner of campus, and the other is in the chemistry building near the south part of campus. You just kinda learn to run your butt there. I very rarely have had a class go over, and never more than 2-3 minutes, and they NEVER start early (except sometimes the professor will start passing back papers before the class officially starts, etc.). Also the more you get to know your campus the more you will learn new ways to get places quicker: where walking traffic is light, a shortcut through a building, etc.</p>