<p>If there is anything that my forthcoming freshman is having anxiety about, its about being over committed. They will be majoring in an a challenging science, hoping to participate in a sport, and will be doing work study. I would be disappointed if they were unable to participate in the sport of their choice, but we are wondering how you fit in 5-6 hours of classes a day, 2-3+ hours of studying, 1-2 hours of work study, and a couple hours of sports. Are they going to be over committed their freshman year? What has your experience been here? thanks in advance.</p>
<p>I’m having similar concerns myself as a freshman :p. I’m also majoring in a science and I’d like to participate in a few music groups…and I need to decide fast :p. Like, now. >_<</p>
<p>Well, 5-6 hours of class a day is a lot. Assuming my morning-math is correct, that’s upwards of 25-30 credit hours, which is literally double what I’m taking.</p>
<p>Assuming they schedules efficiently, I can see someone successfully doing all three of those things, though it may be a bit exhausting if it’s the same routine daily. Is the sport a daily occurrence, or do they meet once a week? Perhaps they could work it out at their job that they work mostly weekends?</p>
<p>Sorry I don’t really have any advice.</p>
<p>I’m a Science major, I do 18 credits/semester, I have a part-time job and I still am in some clubs, do volunteering, and manage to have a life and go out several times a week. </p>
<p>You have to be organized and avoid procrastination - people waste 3 hours doing a lab that they could’ve done in 2 hours if they didn’t go online every 20 minutes. People waste 5 hours studying for a quiz that only needed 2 hours of preparation because they don’t sit down and focus. </p>
<p>Last semester, I had class 5 hours a day Mon-Weds and 3 hours Thursday. Mon-Weds I’d be done by 4 PM and then have a couple hours to study and do HW. I had club meetings Mon and Tues night at around 7 and I would have dinner with my friends afterwards. Thursday I was done by 11am so I would work from 12pm-7pm and then go out Thurs night, Friday I worked from 9am-5pm and then go out afterwards. Saturdays I was completely free, and Sunday mornings I volunteered at the hospital for 3 hours and was free the rest of the day. If you play spots, you’ll have a bit less free time on weekends but it shouldn’t be bad. I basically had the whole weekend free! I only worked 15 hours a week though, some people work weekends.
Some tips: Schedule your classes in blocks. I would typically do 3 classes back-to-back (15 mins inbetween). Freshmen Science majors have lots of lecture halls which aren’t tiring imo. This also makes it a LOT easier to work - if you have 4 hours between classes, you can’t fit a 6-8 hr shift. Try to schedule your classes Mon-Thurs if possible so you have Friday-Sunday free for work, sports, or going out. </p>
<p>And don’t try to take on too much right away. 
But it’s honestly not that hard, I had plenty of free time.</p>
<p>why would you want to do that to yourself your first semester freshmen year. sounds like someone is setting themselves up for an hero.</p>
<p>1 Sky Pilot, Another_Adam, Alix2012, filmeister - thanks for weighing in. I really appreciate your inputs.
BLuelaser</p>
<p>You definitely need to budget your time well. There is a lot more free time in college than there is in high school so there is time for you to do extracurriculars and other activities outside of classes. As long as you do the work quickly and efficiently and know how to manage your time wisely, it’s not too bad juggling other committments here and there.</p>
<p>I plan on doing a ton of stuff but I’m one of those people who thrives on doing a bajillion things. I hate being bored and I hate not being busy. The key, I think and this is going to any other pre-frosh, is to TAKE INTERESTING CLASSES. The workload can’t be that bad if you’re at least somewhat interested in what you’re doing.</p>
<p>I’m kind of in the same boat. Incoming freshman. D1 varsity track and field. Actuarial mathematics major. Not to mention must retain 3.5 gpa at least for first semester to keep scholarship.</p>
<p>This is what was suggested to (and implemented by) me: Take a smaller course load! It probably doesn’t apply to everyone, since I am transferring in about 40 credits, but this would be an excellent use of AP/dual enrollment credit. I am taking the bare minimum for full time (12 credits), albeit they are pretty difficult for a freshman.</p>
<p>I don’t know your freshman’s sports situation. Is it a huge time commitment like a big varsity sport (3-5 hrs/day year-round like mine), or is it a club sport level commitment (6-9 hrs/week)? Either way, especially if the former, see if you could support your student financially for the first semester as they get into the swing of things. Work-study may be the the straw that breaks his/her back. Good luck!</p>