Workload at Reed?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Reed College
1

<p>Hi everyone,</p>

<p>I just got admitted by Reed for the class of 2017. While really delighted to be admitted by one of my top choices, I feel the increasing need to finally solve the issue that's been bothering me since I first learned about Reed.</p>

<p>Workload!!!!</p>

<p>The academic intensity is like the forst thing (or the most lasting and widely-spread) impression anyone would get about Reed. But in college, I really want to have the time and energy to finish some of my own projects and works (no matter related to classes i'm taking at school or not) instead of just being chased by one deadline after another. And I'm often unable to function properly whithout enough sleep.</p>

<p>So I'm wondering if anyone could offer me some insight in exactly how intense school work(classes and activities) is at Reed. How many hours do average students work during the week? How much sleep do you usually get? And can you personally handle that?</p>

<p>And I also have another question about Reed. While I appreciate and value critical and vigorous scholarship, as an art student(I plan to be a painter in the future), I'd like to study and live in an environment that is creative and relexing but not too serious and uptight about certain things at certain times. So my question is Do reedies tend to be intellectually serious and crtical rather than the "following the flow" kinkd of people who value instincts?</p>

<p>Anything would be highly appreciated! Thanks in advance:)</p>

2

<p>Bump!!! </p>

<p>Anyone can help me out?!!</p>

3

<p>YifanW, I am a current Reed college junior, so I hope I can help out with both questions. Students frequently and even easily do both (sleep and engage with art) with minor incursions into sleep-deprivation in heavy times of the semester. With some time management ability, a conscientious approach to classes and a sturdy set of good study habits, the apparent absence of sleep reveals itself to be a devotion to intellectual work that is completely compatible with resting. It should also be noted that freshmen year is very much set up to help further develop those skills. Different students have different study habits that work best for them, but if you are diligent getting a full nights sleep or working on your painting is well within reach. I have always thought that the myth about the sleepless Reedie is the unfortunate and mostly inaccurate side effect of the intellectual challenge the school presents to students. In addition, the art program at reed is wonderful, and I frequently have friends (of a range of majors) running off to the art building. Perhaps the best thing to check out would be RAW (reed arts week) ([Home:</a> RAW 2012](<a href=“http://www.reed.edu/raw/2012/]Home:”>http://www.reed.edu/raw/2012/)). Hope this helps.</p>

4

<p>In my experience, I spent about 15-20 hours a week in class and 25-30 hours on homework during a normal week (excluding senior year), and more when midterms, finals, and major projects were due. It was a lot of work, but I was still able to socialize, work, do some extracurricular activities, and get 7-8 hours of sleep a night. Like you, I was worried about the workload when I was first accepted, but I realized the AdComm generally doesn’t accept people they don’t think can handle (and love) it. So don’t let the rumors scare you away too much. Reed goes relatively easy on freshman (though it might not seem that way your first semester!) and the workload gradually increases so by your senior year, you should be prepared to handle the challenge and time commitment of your thesis.</p>

<p>I’d say the intensity of the workload at Reed depends A LOT on your time management skills. If you are disciplined, schedule your days into study time/free time/activities, and try not to procrastinate, it’s really not THAT bad… as long as you genuinely enjoy learning and studying. I think the people who stress out the most are those who spend more time complaining how much work they have to do rather than just doing it. Or those who self-sabatoge by procrastinating to the absolute last minute. These things are avoidable and the DoJo (academic support services) is there to help students succeed and teach them good study skills. You may also want to check out books by Cal Newport, he has some good tips for how to juggle work/life in college.</p>

<p>I found it helpful to set strict boundaries and prioritize. My two rules were that I would not pull all-nighters and I would not work on Friday nights… and I stuck to them pretty well except for a few times with my qual and thesis deadlines. I’d also recommend deciding which activities and passions you want to pursue (art etc), and make those a priority, scheduling around them instead of trying to fit them in. Reedies are a very creative bunch and students are still able to participate in bands, plays and improv groups, create crazy sculpturey-fun projects in the SU, battle over concrete owls, be a radio DJ, plan Renn Fayre and RAW, go to Grey Fund events, work out, bake and sell pastries in the Paradox, start new clubs, work for professors, and pursue all sorts of interests despite the workload. Also, as John said, the art dept is great, and RAW is a really cool opportunity for students.</p>

<p>As far as being serious/uptight or go with the flow, it depends on the specific student. Some people are obsessive about their schoolwork, some aren’t. Some will live in the library and study 24/7, some seem to be in every other student organization, some smoke pot and hang out with their cats. Some people are really serious and intense about their schoolwork and others have a laissez-faire attitude. It’s a huge range, and everyone has to find a way to adapt their education to their particular goals and interests.
Reed is creative, yes, but I wouldn’t exactly characterize it as ‘relaxing’, though there are students who find a way to combine their schoolwork and interests in a stress-free way. However, IMO the west coast in general is a little more relaxed/ less uptight/ doesn’t take itself too seriously, and that probably rubs off on Reed. It seems like most Reedies work hard and play hard, and that suits them just fine.</p>

5

<p>My son is a freshman at Reed. He often works until 2 AM, but also seems to have time for some non-academic interests. He took only 3 classes first semester, but was also studying for qualification as a reactor operator which is equivalent to another class. This semester he has 4 classes, and says he has to prioritize what he studies - although he gets all his homework done, he does not have enough time in the week to do his best on everything. So yes, the workload is intense. He loves it, though.</p>

6

<p>I would second everything that SHolmies said, qualified by the regret that s/he seems to steal wisdom directly out of my mouth, and amended to add that how much you work also depends on the kinds of classes you take and how many of them. As an example, I felt my best when I was overloading with 5 classes all of sophomore year, and training three horses three times a week, and baking for the campus coffeeshop three times a week, and designing the literary magazine, and doing a few other things that I’m now completely forgetting because it was two years ago. But I was sane, and my friends often remarked on how unstressed I seemed–probably because I spent more time actually doing my work than whinging about it.</p>

7

<p>@vanityclear, we should be friends. :)</p>

8

<p>The overall stereotype of Reed seems to be that the academic workload is exceptionally intense. How accurate is this? Like, how would you say the workload at Reed compares to the workload at similar schools, like other LACs? I mean, I’m not too many people have experiences with two schools, but can anybody make a comparison? Is Reed truly exceptional in terms of workload, or is it similar to comparable schools?</p>

<p>Also, as a chronic procrastinator, is there any hope for me?</p>

9

<p>Let’s first assume that the workload at all schools is not the same. Next, the Reed workload seems to be generally considered heavier than average. Some say the Reed, Swarthmore and UChicago workloads are the heaviest. It’s is hard to be objective.</p>

<p>If HS was an easy breeze for you, Reed could be a shock; if you had to work hard in HS, Reed will likely be harder, but at least 91% (the latest freshman retention rate) adjusted well.</p>

10

<p>It is hard to measure workload by statistics. Those who have studied elsewhere provide some insight. Here are some comparisons of Reed to foreign universities:</p>

<p>OXFORD:
“My tutors asked as much of me as my Reed profs, and the tutorial system can be taxing, though more usually thrilling. …I also now don’t understand why Reedies complain so much. Oxford students have as much work but are much more at peace with themselves.”
[Reed</a> College | International Programs | Oxford University](<a href=“http://www.reed.edu/ipo/patricks%20blurbs/oxford%20university.html]Reed”>http://www.reed.edu/ipo/patricks%20blurbs/oxford%20university.html)</p>

<p>SUSSEX:
“I only took 4 classes the whole year, and I had read almost all of the books that I had to read. The only academically challenging aspect of this past year was learning how to take care of all those little things that a small community makes easy…I took this year as a break, and now it is kicking my ass being back here.”
[Reed</a> College | International Programs | University of Sussex](<a href=“http://www.reed.edu/ipo/patricks%20blurbs/sussex.html]Reed”>http://www.reed.edu/ipo/patricks%20blurbs/sussex.html)</p>

<p>MADRID:
“Academic quality was first-rate. Being used to Reed’s high standard, I expected the bar to be lowered, but it was not in the slightest. Professors were all Spaniards, native speakers, and often high-achieving in their own fields. I was taught by several ‘catedráticos’ - the highest kind of professor in Spain. The workload was intense, but doable.”
[Reed</a> College | International Programs | Hamilton College in Madrid](<a href=“http://www.reed.edu/ipo/patricks%20blurbs/hamilton%20college%20madrid.html]Reed”>http://www.reed.edu/ipo/patricks%20blurbs/hamilton%20college%20madrid.html)</p>