Reasonable or "Overcommitted" EC Schedule for This Semester?

[kikiu]

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[arrivee]

I think you won't find that schedule to be particularly onerous in the eyes of most of the people who post here [but this isn't a typical group either]...should be fine if you know how manage your time effectively.

 

[TopSecret]

Okay, here are my ECs this fall.

-Research (probably 10 hours/week)
-Pediatric Unit Volunteering (3 hours/week)
-Peer Education (3 hours/week)
-Sorority Meetings (2 hours/ week)
-Yoga Class (1 hour/ week)

Total: 19 hours

Is this way too much, or should I cut down?

What is a "reasonable" amount of time per week to devote to ECs? How much is "too much", in general?

Let's see.

168 hours in a week
70 hours for sleep and hygiene
14 hours for meals
19 hours for EC

65 hours for school or about 9 hours per day

Is that enough time to get straight A's?

 

[lstone13]

It's all about time management. You have to be on top of everything, when things are due, what your responsibilities are, etc., but this schedule is totally doable. Do these extracurriculars involve any leadership positions? If so, that might change the hour estimates a little.

 

[kikiu]

Thanks. I suppose that I just wanted to make sure that this is within the "normal range of typical pre-med students". My parents are trying to convince me to only do two activities. Yikes. However, I really am excited about all of these and feel like I am totally ready to do all of this! 🙂

I bet it is still "WAY less than some SDN overachievers", but this is a good amount for me. I'm just trying to balance ECs and still being able to have enough time to enjoy college life, be social, and make friends.

By the way, is it totally stupid to start research fall of my sophomore year??? Is that too early?

 

[TopSecret]

Thanks. I suppose that I just wanted to make sure that this is within the "normal range of typical pre-med students". My parents are trying to convince me to only do two activities. Yikes. However, I really am excited about all of these and feel like I am totally ready to do all of this! 🙂

I bet it is still "WAY less than some SDN overachievers", but this is a good amount for me. I'm just trying to balance ECs and still being able to have enough time to enjoy college life, be social, and make friends.

By the way, is it totally stupid to start research fall of my sophomore year??? Is that too early?

Whatever you do, don't sacrifice good grades for a huge list of EC's.

Research this year is okay, too.

 

[UTsksk]

Thanks. I suppose that I just wanted to make sure that this is within the "normal range of typical pre-med students". My parents are trying to convince me to only do two activities. Yikes. However, I really am excited about all of these and feel like I am totally ready to do all of this! 🙂

I bet it is still "WAY less than some SDN overachievers", but this is a good amount for me. I'm just trying to balance ECs and still being able to have enough time to enjoy college life, be social, and make friends.

By the way, is it totally stupid to start research fall of my sophomore year??? Is that too early?

It's never too early to get in some research experience. I had a friend who started during his freshman year in a genetics lab.

 

[vickpick]

considering abt 5 hrs a day is for classes everyday + wasted time between classes + getting there and getting back.. (5 days a week..)

at 2 hrs a day on school work...

7-8 hrs of sleep.. dont deny it..

an hr or two of relaxation and entertainment- usually more for me..

so yea its doable..

but I think using more than 15 hrs a week on EC's is too much.. and yoga class is not really a EC, is it?

 

[ibedoctorplz]

I like to think everyone's a bit different as far as dedicating time is concerned. But, what matters is if YOU think you can handle it. If you think so, by all means go ahead. If in the middle of the semester you have a bit of trouble, then you can always prioritize and lessen the hours a little bit.

 

[JJMrK]

Sounds like more than I would take on. JMO though.

 

[dr seuss]

It shouldn't be too bad unless you're the type of person who has to spend all day studying to do well in your classes.