Is 19 credits too much for an incoming freshman?

Question

Hey folks...

I've got a bit of a dilemma...my parents are insisting that I'm going too heavy on my first semester workload (and they might be right, but anyway...), and I need some advice. I'm a prospective double major in either English/Computer Science or English/Psych (not sure which). I'm in the honors program at my school (top 10% of incoming students), so I'm a good student.

Here's my schedule...

Calculus 1 --> 4 credits
Intro to Computer Science --> 4 credits
Intro to Psychology --> 3 credits
American Writers --> 3 credits
World Civ --> 3 credits (I could have opted out because of my AP World History score, so I've already kinda taken the course)
Honors Colloquium --> 2 credits (it's a non-academic community service-based thing)

I'm extremely strong in humanities and social science, so I figure those courses will generally be a breeze (I already have some background in the subjects and the reviews for the professors on ratemyprofessor.com said they were easy). I find math and science subjects difficult, however, so Calculus and CS are going to be tough.

So considering that 3 of the credits I pretty much already took in high school (World Civ) and 2 of the credits are non-academic (so no homework or tests or anything), do you think that 19 credits is too much? In other words, will I be able to be healthy and have some free time while getting good grades?

Thanks!!!

Answer 1

Your load may be too much, but the reasons are different from what your parents might be thinking. You wrote in your Yahoo question in an exact quote: "I already have some background in the subjects and the reviews for the professors on ratemyprofessor.com said they were easy." If that is so, why take those courses just to have a list of courses at a college level that appear to be areas where you already feel comfortable.



The other thing about your Yahoo question was you didn't state what your objectives were. Judging from your choices for double major, I would say you want to be a professional writer, an English teacher, or a computer science practitioner, or a researcher. Then, it is possible to pick either English as a major and Computer Science as a minor. If that is not your choice for doing something worthwhile and lucrative, then you could reverse your major to Computer Science and minor in English. You would achieve being committed to a profession and would help yourself with finding the end game for your life's work. Good luck.

Answer 2

Research some time management techniques and use them, and you should be fine. I took 21 credits in one semester while also working part time and had a 4.0.



The best advice I can give you is to not put 100% into every class you take. That does NOT mean you won't get an A in every class, just that you shouldn't kill yourself worrying about classes not related to your major. Look at your syllabus and see what % of your grade each assignment is worth, and if you have to choose between, let's say, a paper worth 50% of your grade in one class and a homework assignment worth 10% of your grade in another class, focus on the paper.



I'll link you to an article about a man who graduated college in 3 semesters with a double major, just for some perspective:



http://www.stevepavlina.com/articles/do-it-now.htm

Answer 3

Don't take World Civ, save yourself the time and money. You may know the material, but you took the class in high school, so you wouldn't have to take it in college. During your first year you should take the core classes that all students have to take: English, math, science, etc. You may be confident in your ability to handle the course load, but don't try it your semester. In fact, most colleges will not let you take more than 18 hours without approval from the Dean. Being a first-time freshman the 18 credit limit, that may stop you from trying to register this schedule.

Answer 4

FIrst check with your college adviser. At most schools your tuition covers 12-18 credits per semester. You may find yourself paying a large tuition fee for the one credit. and you may need permission to take over 18 credits.



My daughter graduated HS with a 3.7 with honors. She was in the Honor college and need to maintain a 3.5 gpa. She took 18 credits first semester freshman year and did fine with it. I believe one B, the rest A's.



How are your study skills, time management and organization skills? How are your writing skills. You will be doing a lot of papers - lots. are you good at math, can you handle that calculus class?

that honors class shouldn't require too much study time- just make sure you do not have to pay for the 19th credit.

Answer 5

I think this is a little too much,

there's no harm in going slower with better grades than taking a lot of subjects and doing a normal or bad in them.

Plus, with all those, I don't think you'll have much of a free time. You're only a freshmen, take it slow.

Answer 6

If you can handle it then you should do it! But there's a chance you're not going to have free time , but the good thing is that you will graduate college earlier

Answer 7

If you think you'll be okay then go for it! If your a little unsure then just take off a class and take it later :)

Answer 8

yes, but you can always take classes during the summer if you want to catch up.