Working and taking a lot of credits...?

[PM504]

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How feasible is it to work 20hours a week and take 18 credit hours? I also plan on getting a 4.0 this semester. 🙂 Any suggestions?

My classes will include Organic Chem plus lab, Microbiology plus lab, French, Calculus, and Art.

 

[mcloaf]

I'd think this would depend on the level of the courses and whether or not they have a lab component.

 

[Lollygag]

I'd think this would depend on the level of the courses and whether or not they have a lab component.

+1

I've done it almost every semester of college.

However if your schedule is Pchem, Calc, Biochem and Gross Mammalian Anatomy, and you're not William Hwang.. then you could have a problem.

 

[Tappinfool66]

It's doable, but it's likely to be challenging. It definitely depends on your course load, though. I only had one science class (Physics I) as well as Linguistic Anthropology, Arabic I and two upper-level Spanish courses while I had two different tutoring jobs of 10 hours a week each. I haven't gotten all of my final grades yet but I'd say a 4.0 is likely. Outside of coursework, however, I didn't get to do too much (i.e. I couldn't get into a regular workout routine, I couldn't go out or see my friends as often as I would have liked to, etc.). I also didn't have a room and was staying on my friends' couch, so that may have been why I found it hard.

In short, it can be manageable but it depends on how determined and hardworking you are, the rigor of your classes and what else you have going on outside of class.

 

[487806]

+1

I've done it almost every semester of college.

However if your schedule is Pchem, Calc, Biochem and Gross Mammalian Anatomy, and you're not William Hwang.. then you could have a problem.

👍 Although I find taking "Gross Mammalian Anatomy" to be a source of unnecessary stress. I really don't understand the point of taking anatomy in undergrad... unless required, save it for med school. Undergrad anatomy =

 

[AsianPersuasion]

This semester I was taking Bio of cell lecture / lab, organic / lab, physics / lab and calc I. I was also working a double which is 16 hrs every saturday. Was it hard? ***K yes!!! but I made it out alive.

 

[487806]

This semester I was taking Bio of cell lecture / lab, organic / lab, physics / lab and calc I. I was also working a double which is 16 hrs every saturday. Was it hard? ***K yes!!! but I made it out alive.

wait... 16 hours per saturday? That's a scary experience. Glad you survived.

 

[AsianPersuasion]

wait... 16 hours per saturday? That's a scary experience. Glad you survived.

Yeah, I'm a CNA and at my facility we don't have 12 hrs shift. A double for us is 16. It's really not that bad, in the summer I usually 2 double and one 8 hr shift and that was schedule. Which is nice cause it allowed me time to do whatever I want.

 

[Xlorgguss]

It honestly depends on the classes, the type of job, and the hours you work. If your 20 hours are two 8 hour shifts and 1 4 hour then you should be fine. I have always had 30+ hours a week and have always gone to school full-time. It's not the most fun thing in the world, but I have to do it to survive and not take out loans. A little sacrifice here and there pays off in the long run.

 

[lobo.solo]

How feasible is it to work 20hours a week and take 18 credit hours? I also plan on getting a 4.0 this semester. 🙂 Any suggestions?

I think max # of units I have done with 20hr work has been 17. I usually do 16 units, but I don't sign up for more than 2 labs. This type of schedule has worked for me pretty well; I never felt overwhelmed or anything like that. Also did well in the classes. Good luck.

 

[Freesia88]

40 hrs/week
15 Credits (Calc, Gen Chem 2 with lab, Anatomy and Physiology with lab.)
4.0

1. Make a plan and stick to it.

2. Be willing to sacrifice some fun time

3. Don't do it if you don't have to.

 

[PM504]

My classes will include Organic Chem plus lab, Microbiology plus lab, French, Calculus, and Art. 🙂

 

[chrismenz4]

My classes will include Organic Chem plus lab, Microbiology plus lab, French, Calculus, and Art. 🙂

 

[PM504]

Has anyone taken Organic Chem and Microbiology at the same time?😕

 

[Dmr6186]

I worked about 24 hours/week and did pretty well and still had time for the gym or other small ventures. It's doable, but sometimes I used to get real envious of the kids with weekends off every week!

 

[Xlorgguss]

40 hrs/week
15 Credits (Calc, Gen Chem 2 with lab, Anatomy and Physiology with lab.)
4.0

1. Make a plan and stick to it.

2. Be willing to sacrifice some fun time

3. Don't do it if you don't have to.

My schedule EXACTLY for this coming spring semester. Including the 40 hours a week of work too. But oddly enough mine is 12 credits? How many credits did they give you for lab? 😕

 

[plumhill]

How feasible is it to work 20hours a week and take 18 credit hours? I also plan on getting a 4.0 this semester. 🙂 Any suggestions?

My classes will include Organic Chem plus lab, Microbiology plus lab, French, Calculus, and Art.

Yup. I usually work about 16-20 hours a week (not including research hours). I schedule most of my hours on weekends or Friday nights (so, I haven't had a social life since senior year of high school). It's doable but you have to be extremely diligent about when you schedule hours to make sure you aren't working a ton the day before exams and such. I really recommend utilizing weekends if you can.

 

[Bethany555]

I took 4.5 classes which equates to 18 credits I believe and worked 30-40 hours/week for the last year and a half, and it wasn't too difficult. Obviously it depends on the job and the classes you take, but if you can make your own schedule, it'll be MUCH easier.

When I had an upcoming exam, I scaled back on my work, and when I had a lot of free time, I increased my hours (I just had to fill out a time-sheet and get it signed biweekly). Also, my psets were due consistently the same day every week throughout the semester, so I accounted for that when making my schedule. My classes were biochem, pchem, spanish (counts as 1.5 classes here since it meets every day), and physiology this semester. It was basically 1-2 midterms per class and a final. I took finals week and reading week off, and just scaled back work when I had a midterm (which was only like 4 times during the semester).

tldr - If you can get a job where you can make your own schedule, your life will be a lot easier. 🙂

 

[deleted357625]

what are the type of jobs y'all have? I'm looking for a job that has set hours for school, but as well as flexible if needed to accommodate school. What type of jobs are good while going to school?

 

[PM504]

I'm also interested in what type of jobs you all have.

 

[awbond]

what are the type of jobs y'all have? I'm looking for a job that has set hours for school, but as well as flexible if needed to accommodate school. What type of jobs are good while going to school?

Pharmacy tech. I work set days and long hours. I know one girl that works like 4 hour shifts, but I work 9-10. I generally end up with 27-28 hours weekly with three days of work. I'm cutting back to two days next semester though so I can go to school mon-thurs so I can take an extra class. It's great because it is in the medical field, you learn a lot, and most pharmacies are pretty busy so my 10 hour days go by faster than my 5-6 hour shifts as a grocery store clerk job I used to have.

 

[487806]

My classes will include Organic Chem plus lab, Microbiology plus lab, French, Calculus, and Art. 🙂

For me, everything except Art is doable, but be prepared to work hard to do well. If Art works for you, go for it.

 

[mellamocow]

24 credits, 18 hours as SI and TA, 20+ hours in research a week...barely got a 4.0 🙂

Courses were: neurobiology, orgo I, physics III, electrical circuits (v/ work heavy), microbiology, psychology, diff eq/cal III

I also spend around 15 hours a week at the gym and have a decent amount of spare time. Only downside is that I skipped going to half my classes but I learn much faster/better alone so it's all up to the individual.

 

[PM504]

24 credits, 18 hours as SI and TA, 20+ hours in research a week...barely got a 4.0 🙂

Courses were: neurobiology, orgo I, physics III, electrical circuits (v/ work heavy), microbiology, psychology, diff eq/cal III

I also spend around 15 hours a week at the gym and have a decent amount of spare time. Only downside is that I skipped going to half my classes but I learn much faster/better alone so it's all up to the individual.

😕 How is this humanely possible. Sorry but thats hard to believe.

 

[mellamocow]

If you go to class and do homework/study for other classes and/or skip classes, that buys me around 20-25 hours per week. Also, I can study/hw sometimes during research while I'm spinning something down, etc but I usually stick to reading lab papers.

 

[Xlorgguss]

what are the type of jobs y'all have? I'm looking for a job that has set hours for school, but as well as flexible if needed to accommodate school. What type of jobs are good while going to school?

I work in a residential setting for people with developmental disabilities. I'm not a CNA, but more of a HHA, but the responsibilities are essentially the same. We pass meds, help with hygiene, and try to give them as much of an independent life as possible. I originally started working there because it was a clinical job and I thought it would look and wasn't so run of the mill. So many pre-meds do CNA or EMT, I thought this was unique. Not only is it a specialized population, but they are also elderly so you get a mix bag when working. I honestly never thought that I would love it as much as I do. I work 40 hours a week. I work Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday (3-11) off Thursday and Friday and Saturday and Sunday (8-4). Although I don't make a ton per hour (9.58) it gets made up in really good pto, potential for overtime, and a relatively slow paced job. Prior to this I did the retail grind and it was just terrible. I would come home stressed (as a supervisor) and working 6 days a week, and although I was getting paid more it honestly wasn't worth it. I've been able to not take out any loans, I pay my rent and money isn't super tight. The only thing that gets annoying is getting done at 11 you really don't want to come home and do work, but yeah. Similar places like this will usually let you work per diem as relief or something like that where you can make your schedule the way you want. I just like my residence and I get paid more as full time staff and get bi-yearly bonuses.

So just some food for thought I guess.

 

[Freesia88]

My schedule EXACTLY for this coming spring semester. Including the 40 hours a week of work too. But oddly enough mine is 12 credits? How many credits did they give you for lab? 😕

Calc = 5 credits
Chem with Lab = 5 credits
A/P with Lab = 5 credits

I don't know exactly how they split the labs. These were integrated courses.

 

[Freesia88]

😕 How is this humanely possible. Sorry but thats hard to believe.

Ever heard of William Hwang?

 

[JSainte]

It's doable depending on your committment. I currently work 70 hours a week and took A&P with a lab as well as another course and did well in both. If you'd like to see how I work my schedule, I'd be happy to upload and show you the template I make every two weeks. It's all about whether or not you'll stick to it. If you won't, don't do it because you'll do like I've done in the past and overload yourself and wind up with mediocre grades or even worse, having to drop a course and retake it later. PM me if you'd like the template and good luck!


Edit*** I obviously work much more than the average person but both of my jobs can be done part time. I work FT as a 911 dispatcher and EMT and PT as an ER scribe.

 

[Xlorgguss]

It's doable depending on your committment. I currently work 70 hours a week and took A&P with a lab as well as another course and did well in both. If you'd like to see how I work my schedule, I'd be happy to upload and show you the template I make every two weeks. It's all about whether or not you'll stick to it. If you won't, don't do it because you'll do like I've done in the past and overload yourself and wind up with mediocre grades or even worse, having to drop a course and retake it later. PM me if you'd like the template and good luck!


Edit*** I obviously work much more than the average person but both of my jobs can be done part time. I work FT as a 911 dispatcher and EMT and PT as an ER scribe.

👍 Kudos! 70 hours a week is mad intense! So much respect. 😎