Question: The Workload at McGill?

<p>I don't mind the hard work or anything, but I'd just like to have an idea about McGill's workload. From browsing the other threads, I got a few glimpses, but no real detail. Could someone explain what makes the workload so difficult, if it really is difficult? How manageable is it? Is it difficult because people aren't working as hard as they could or they aren't managing their time well? Or is it for other reasons? On the livejournal for McGill's class of 2010 someone mentioned that McGill's classes are long - what does that mean? (What length of time is long?) And if anyone has anything else to add about the workload, I'd really appreciate that. I am already in at McGill and I am going there, so I'll find out, but I'd like a head's up. Thanks all.</p>

<p>Btw, I am in the Faculty of Arts, and I am most likely going to try to go for a Joint Honours in Political Science and English (as long as I meet the requirements).</p>

<p>I can only speak from my own experience, but I guess "difficult" refers to both the amount AND level. Since you're in Arts, most likely you'll have A LOT of reading to do - a couple hours a day - and probably quite a bit of paper writing (research papers take a lot of time!). You do have to learn to manage your time and do things as they come, as well as balance your social life, but it's totally manageable. You'll also learn how to "cut corners" a bit (i.e. what's important to pay strict attention to vs. what you can just skim over - that sort of thing). Depending on the classes you take, lots of the work will probably be high-level, and the readings may be difficult or confusing so you'll have to spend time on them (of course, it also depends if you have a good prof to help you, or a bad prof who just confuses you more!). I think people also say "difficult" because, in a lot of ways, you have to be very self-motivated and self-taught. </p>

<p>As for class length, you're courses should be either 50min three times a week, or 80min two times a week. I don't really think they're that long... tutorials and labs can be 2-3hours, but as an Arts student you won't really have those. Some courses might also require conferences, which should be about 50min too. </p>

<p>OK, I don't know if that answers your questions or if I'm just being vague all over again - sorry! Hope it helped a bit.</p>

<p>No, that definitely helped. You gave me a good idea of whether - if I am willing to put in the hours and organize myself - I'll be okay; and it seems as long as I work hard, I will be fine. The hours sound good; in my high school (in USA) I have block scheduling, so my courses run 80 minutes right now anyway. This definitely answered all my questions. I think I am a little nervous too; college :so scary:. </p>

<p>If anyone has anything else to add or another perspective, I'd appreciate that too.</p>

<p>Oh, I thought I wrote the "Thank you" in there (I was thinking it in my head -_-). Thank you for taking the time to answer.</p>

<p>what about the workload in freshman science or management?</p>

<p>hey kveenly.</p>

<p>and a shoutout to the LJ community.
everyone should visit.</p>

<p>freshman science program is described in "number of courses" thread</p>

<p>where is the number of courses thread</p>

<p><a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=171045%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=171045&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>