I am a freshman in my second semester. I enrolled this semester in a 3000 level course; it was in my area of interest (and my future major), and it was assured that the class was meant to be catered as an ‘intro’ class for the department (Classics), and was only registered as a 3000 level because that was the only ‘Special Topics’ Number they had. (I had this assurance from the professor several times). As it turns out I ended up being the only freshman in the class. I had to get special permission to enroll. Now, it isn’t so much that the work for that class by itself is too hard; I actually really enjoy the actual class sessions. However, the workload this semester is killing me; I am in four other classes, all of which require moderate to high (mostly toward the high end) levels of reading/studying/writing papers. I am doing reasonably well in all of my classes, including the 3000 level (all A’s so far) but I can get home, work on all of this STUFF for my classes for upwards of six hours, and still only have done enough work to get me through the next day; I can never get caught up on any assignments, let alone ahead. I am doing this regularly now, and I rarely get enough sleep. I have tried, and have already, cut out what little ‘extracurricular’ activities I had, now attending a single club meeting once a month. I feel so overwhelmed all the time, but I have been reluctant to drop a class and take a W when I have managed to maintain A’s so far. We just took the midterm in the 3000 level class, and I am waiting to get back my grade, but I have been trying to consider what my best course of action will be. Should I stick it out, assuming I did well on the midterm, or relieve some of the pressure and drop a class? Objective opinions would be much appreciated.
Additional relevant information I forgot to mention: I will probably be taking this professor again in the future, very possibly next semester.
If you are getting by and maintaining an A in all of your classes, I wouldn’t drop it. You’re going to have to take demanding courses sooner or later - might as well build up a tolerance to it early on. The first upper division course you take always seems the most daunting, but once you learn how to navigate the workload, everything gets easier. You’re a freshman so you’re still trying to figure out time management and balancing school work and your social life, but by the end of the semester, you’ll be grateful for the effort you put in and find it to be rewarding ultimately.
Is it really reasonable, though, for me to work from the time I get home till I go to bed (allowing maybe an hour for a meal in there) and still be playing catch-up with my work? For one class I still have 6 papers to turn in by the end of the semester; I’ve started work on two of them, but it’s not like I exactly have a ton of spare time to work on them; and I have 3 papers for the 3000 level and 5 for another of my classes. That’s not to mention the day-to-day tasks: A bulky reading for the 3000 level every Tues/Thurs, 1-2 acts of Shakespeare for every class session (3 days a week.) Each of the 6 papers will eventually require the reading of a book; and I have a four day a week language course that requires about an hour time investment each day. I’m just sort of playing devil’s advocate here, trying to make sure I furnish enough information to get an accurate appraisal. And I really do appreciate the input, preamble1776. It’s just hard to accept that this is the way college ought to be…
It seems like you really want someone to justify your inclination - deep down, you want to drop the class. Depending on where you go to college, it is very likely that the level of work you’re describing would be quite common amongst first year students, especially at a school that is known to be rigorous for a particular discipline (or… the University of Chicago for every discipline, LOL.)
You aren’t going to be taking this class forever - the semester is halfway done at most schools. If you just stick with it, you’ll likely end up with an A or something close to it, rather than a W - and you won’t be embarrassed to take classes in the future with this same professor. W’s aren’t the end of the world, but it is lost credit that will somehow have to be compensated for academically and financially, assuming that withdrawing means falling below the standard number of credits required to graduate on time.
Many people don’t realize this, but at many schools, being a full time student is very much a full time job in that you’re expected to put in close to 40 hours of work inside and outside of class every week.
preamble1776,
Yes, you make a lot of good points. It is true that I am sort of looking for a justification for it. My school is not especially rigorous, especially not in that particular department. I would still be a full-time student, and would still be able to graduate on time. But I definitely see your point. I think I really need to wait and see how I did on the midterm before making the decision, but if I got an A, I may just need to try to stick it out a bit longer.
This is a class in your major that you’re doing well in? And you want to drop it because…college is hard? 
stradmom, yes, in simple terms it does sound a bit ridiculous. I just never thought before that college would mean giving up everything else. As I said, I have cut down on any extracurricular activities (reading, last remnants of any video game playing, family game night) to the point that I basically get up, go to my classes, come home, work, and go to bed. But, as I said, I’ve considered and decided to continue with this until the end of the semester, so long as my midterm grade was good.
Stick with it. Try to work smarter not harder as well. I’m all for reading, but with six books, Sparknotes is going to be a dear friend to you. I’m not saying cheat, don’t plagiarize anything, but you’re not going to have time to read every single paper of every single assigned book: that’s college.
@mistyfoot19 The best grades I had in college was when I was overloaded. I knew I had to work and there was no time to play, so life was just work, work, work. You are halfway through the semester and have all A’s. Consider yourself a smart guy, keep up the good work, and take a lighter load next semester.
I agree that you should stick with it. I know it’s a lot of work right now, but that’s also because you’re still adjusting to college life. As a senior, I now know how to “skim” and know exactly what I can get away with as far as studying and doing homework goes, and you will get there, too. It’s different at every school, of course, but you’ll soon know the profs in your major and will know exactly what you need to for their classes.
Also, this can help you learn how to prioritize. You read a bunch of stuff but don’t ever turn anything in about it? Skim and circle thesis statements/topic sentences/a few examples. You turn something in but it’s really a marginal assignment? Skip it and work on your paper. Usually you only want to skip assignments when only absolutely necessary, but you also need to not sacrifice the grade of a high-stakes assignment for a low-stakes one.
Trust me in that you will really appreciate the experience if you stick this out. You’ll learn your limits, your strengths, and your weaknesses, and you’ll become a better student because of it.
Good luck!