Is this workload manageable?

[Wiesal]

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I know these type of questions aren't the best because everyone's different. Regardless, I'm wondering what others think of this workload.

For the incoming semester:
Bio 1 + Lab (5 credits)
General Chm 2 + Lab (5 credits)
Critical Thinking and Ethics (3 credits) -- probably going to be writing papers
Calculus I and Analytic Geometry (5 credits)

Extracurricular activities:
Volunteering at a homeless shelter

Other:
Working 8 hours/week as a medical assistant


Should I add any more extracurricular activities? What do you guys think? Am I doing enough?

 

[RogueBanana]

Wow.

I did like, 12-15 credit hours max per semester with a couple hours of volunteering and participation in organizations (maybe 10-15 additional hours per week)

That workload with volunteering and a JOB is gonna burn you out faster than Lindsey Lohan after she got famous.

I'd cut the coursework down to 15 credits, keep the volunteering and job if you'd like.

If you think you can handle the load while keeping your grades up go for it. But no adcom is gonna show you mercy for a 3.2 GPA because you overworked yourself on purpose.

 

[jm192]

My 2nd and 3rd years of college I kept 16-18 hours.

I usually had 1 chem, 1 bio, 1 math or physics, some semesters I had a 2nd bio.

 

[Wiesal]

Wow.

I did like, 12-15 credit hours max per semester with a couple hours of volunteering and participation in organizations (maybe 10-15 additional hours per week)

That workload with volunteering and a JOB is gonna burn you out faster than Lindsey Lohan after she got famous.

I'd cut the coursework down to 15 credits, keep the volunteering and job if you'd like.

If you think you can handle the load while keeping your grades up go for it. But no adcom is gonna show you mercy for a 3.2 GPA because you overworked yourself on purpose.

I guess I should be more conservative on credits/semester. Thanks.

 

[Wiesal]

My 2nd and 3rd years of college I kept 16-18 hours.

I usually had 1 chem, 1 bio, 1 math or physics, some semesters I had a 2nd bio.

Maybe I'll go for 16-18 once I'm very confident in my work ethic. Thanks.

 

[ServiceFirst]

Case-by-case situation, it varies by person according to their resilience/time management skills. I spent a quarter taking 18 units, working 10-15 hours part time, spending 10 hours at internship, all while studying for the MCAT exam that was scheduled for the end of the quarter.

The workload you described appears manageable on paper, just remember be wary of burn-out, and do not hesitate to make changes if you feel they need to be made. And make sure you support system knows your load and is there for you whenever you need!

 

[DrHart]

That's a lot. I would either drop the critical thinking or bio. Push one of those back a semester if u can. Is the 8 hrs/wk med assistant job 1 shift or more?


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[Wiesal]

That's a lot. I would either drop the critical thinking or bio. Push one of those back a semester if u can. Is the 8 hrs/wk med assistant job 1 shift or more?


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It's one shift.

 

[DrHart]

15 credits of core science/math + 3 credit hour writing class is pushing it. Adding a full 8hr shift as a med assistant would definitely strain you in terms of eating in to your study time. Volunteering regularly for at least a few hours a week would be very difficult to keep up (with all else you have going on).
Don't forget you need a day to breathe 😉

It's one shift.

 

[Medic741]

Worked full time in school with 18-20 credit hour workload. Can be done, won't be easy.

 

[markovchn123]

As long as one of the classes you take is fairly easy, and you make a schedule so that you don't fall behind in coursework, you should be fine

 

[wholeheartedly]

Like you said, it depends on the person, but also the courses. My 12 credit semester kept me way busier than my 18 credit semester. I even went certifiable once and took 31 credits during my last summer (don't recommend that).

Since those are likely your first ever college semester courses, I vote cut one of the classes. Knock it out of the park and see if you feel comfortable upping things after that if needed.

Remember, the goal is to work hard and do well enough to get into med school. You should still enjoy college though.

 

[Frazier]

Bio, Chem, Calc all in your first semester is rather steep.

Get situated before you bite off more than you can chew (damaging your gpa in the process).

 

[BenignBeignet]

I think that seems like a fine semester if you can time manage well