Why do all of the classes have 2-3 different starting times?

College Search & Selection
1

<p>I go to Foothill College (transfer student), and all of the classes that I need to take for transfer have anywhere from two to three different starting times. So far I've managed to sign up for classes that have only one starting time, but now I have no other option but to begin taking these multiple-time classes that have no online options.</p>

<p>My questions are:
Are you really expected to show up at a different time each week, or does the professor chose one time out of all three for the class to follow for the entire quarter?
If you really are expected to attend class using each time on intervals, how the heck do most people juggle that with studying, work, and LIFE?!
I have to work part-time, I don't have a car and have to cycle uphill the entire way for 6 miles rain or shine (I don't live along any bus routes unfortunately), and am planning on taking a full course load- and online classes aren't an option for me (I've looked, but am out of luck-they don't have an online option for the classes that I need).</p>

<p>For example, two of the classes that I want to take say this:
Class 1
MW 12 - 12:50
M 2:30 - 3:20
M 3:30 - 5:20</p>

<p>Class 2
MW 8 - 9:45
MW 10 - 11:50
MW 2 - 3:20</p>

<p>How can I take more than two classes at a time with scheduling like this?!
I'm finding it impossible to match up the schedule the classes that I need because the attendance times are all over the place, and I would have to reserve an entire day just for two classes, which is a total waste of my time- I would generally schedule all three within 20-40 minutes of each other, and then study the rest of the day. Work and study the following day, class and study the next. The class times leave no room for the REALITY of most students- since most of us are part time students (or part time workers, full time class) who need a set schedule so that they can juggle work and study.
Am I misunderstanding something?? Please clue me in.</p>

2

<p>My DD has the same issues at Penn State. She has had to go to professors that have classes listed as full and asked to be able to take that class. She also has had to take an online class the last 2 semesters to fit her schedule. So far, she has been able to work things out. It seems to be getting a little easier than when she was a freshman and sophomore. Good luck!</p>

3

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<p>Class 1 looks like 2 hours of lecture and 3 hours of lab or something like that per week. Class 2 looks like two days per week all morning plus an hour in the afternoon, or 10 hours of class per week. What kind of classes are these?</p>

4

<p>For class 2, aren’t those times describing different sections of the course? You would register for one section. Not sure about class 1. You should talk to your academic advisor.</p>

5

<p>Looks like both classes are listing 3 different sections that may be taught by different professors. Talk to your academic advisor to be sure.</p>

6

<p>I agree with everyone else. These are probably different sections of the same course. You pick just one of the sections to enroll in. You’d MW 12-12:50, OR M 2:30-3:20, OR M 3:30-5:20. Not all three. </p>

<p>It’s also possible that these are individual lecture, lab, and discussion sections. If that’s the case, then I’d assume that MW 12-12:50 is the lecture portion, M 2:30-3:20 is the discussion section, and M 3:30-5:20 is the lab portion. </p>

7

<p>Here is Foothill’s searchable schedule:</p>

<p><a href=“Class Schedule”>Class Schedule;

<p>Different class sections are clearly marked. Again, what classes?</p>