I just enrolled for my first semester at The University of Kansas! I’m majoring in computer science. I selected 16 hours because I’m very dedicated, but I’m not necessarily academically gifted. I made a 3.76 in high school with a 32 ACT. I’m taking Calculus 2, an honors digital electronics class, honors english, and engineering physics one (without the lab because they were all full, this just makes me more anxious about starting school! If I do somehow get into the lab I’ll be at 17 credit hours). I’m also in two seminars. I don’t know, maybe I’m just being worried for no reason. Any words of encouragement or advice?
15-16 hours is normal. Most colleges require about 120 credits to graduate which averages to 15 credits a semester.
A 3.6 and a 32 ACT is a very good sign you’ll do well. You’ve been surrounded by a high caliber group, that may have given you an inaccurate view of yourself. You’ll do fine. Just make sure, instead of hoping people have a crystal ball,
( 
) that you ask, instead, please give me tips for how to stay on top of my studies and succeed while taking 16-17 units.
Oh, by the way, my first semester in college, I drowned with way fewer credits than you, but I came to college pretty ill-prepared compared to you (based on the classes you’re taking). Just be sure to note the drop by dates…just in case.
S is starting at K State and has 16 hours. They didn’t want him to take more than 15 but he has two one hour intro classes that are basically As if you show up so it is more like 14 (Biology, Chemistry, Animal Science, and Honors English). Just keep up on your studies and you should be fine - plan study time each day. At orientation at K-State they said to get a planner and plan out study time equaling 2 hours a week for each credit hour that you take. Put it on your calendar and stick to what you plan. I thought that was good advice.
The credit hours alone don’t seem outrageous but some 16 hours are tougher than others. If you’re concerned about the load, would it be possible to move the physics class to next semester? That way you would be taking the lecture concurrently with the lab.
As a CS major, are there any intro CS classes open that you could take? Even if you have tested or AP’d out of the intro level courses, there’s a lot to be said for taking the CS intro class at your college.
Definitely take the lab is a course opens. If you have a even distribution of courses with exams, reading (like a lit class) and writing papers, you should be fine. Just stay organized and do the work each week instead of leaving it to the end. GO TO CLASSES.