<p>How challenging and time consuming is the workload at Richmond? Is it difficult to maintain a high GPA? I've heard from people that it can be overwhelming even for people who took 5 or 6 AP's a year at HS?</p>
<p>As a parent of a current student, I can assure you that UR is not a school for slackers. Much is required of you. There are really no easy classes and the workload can get progressively more difficult as you advance to select upper level courses. The prevalent small class sizes will put you in the spotlight, as professors will know you and will call you out. As a result there is a high level of classroom engagement which you’ll find to be a net positive. Unlike a large state school, you cant hide in the back of a large lecture hall and zone out and play games on your computer. Also recognize that most of your classmates were competitive academic all-stars in high school. That same mindset continues in college as most students focus on maintaining a respectable GPA, positioning them for grad school admission, competitive internships and sought after jobs at graduation. This being said, the key is developing organization & time management skills. Unlike high school, where your day is well defined and structured, youll have a lot of free time in college. Youll be fine once you get into a rhythm and limit distractions as much as possible. This will take some time, as everyone adapts at a different pace. The great news is that UR has a fantastic bunch of professors that really want you to succeed. </p>
<p>College should never be easy, however, as you’ll find the real world even less forgiving once you graduate. Good luck!</p>
<p>^ Great post.</p>