Workload during regular semester

[ucnative]

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Right now, in summer session, I'm taking one class (biostats) and working 20 hours a week. It's a 5-day-a-week class (5 units), so my weekday breaks down like so, with no real exceptions:

8-12 lecture/lab
12-1 transit from school city to work/home city
1-5 work
6-11 homework, girlfriend, dinner, dog
sleep

With the fall semester, I'm likely going to be taking upwards of 14 units. What's a reasonable expectation? Will my days get more hectic? Less hectic? Am I going to have to cut my hours at work?

Thanks for your thoughts, folks...

 

[kurly]

So, you haven't registered for fall yet? Hmm.

I don't think your schedule will be much more hectic because your classes are obviously going to be spread out over a much longer period. Summer sessions are always so condensed. So, instead of having one class in that 8-12 slot, you might have two or three. And I'm guessing your classes will meet 3 times a week, at the most, not every day.

I'm at UW, which is on a quarter system, so I know it's not quite the same. But, as an example: We have to take a minimum of 10 credits to be fulltime. I'm taking three courses for a total of 11 credits. No more than that because two of the courses will have heavy workloads.

Two days per week I only have one class, 9:30-10:20.
One day I have two classes (well, discussion and lecture sections of the same course) from 8:30 - 10:20.
The other two days, I have two classes from 8:30 - 12:20 (with a 40 minute break).

Like you, I plan to work 20 hours per week, probably from 1-5 or thereabouts, and on three of those days, I'll have a little chunk of time for studying, going home for lunch, errands, or even going to work a little early. Doesn't sound too stressful, though I know I'm going to be busy with studying much of my evenings and weekends (if I can't get away with doing some of it at work 😉).

 

[Vayu]

I think you need to schedule more time to walk your dog.

 

[ucnative]

Alright, alright, I posted that last one in the middle of a freakout...😳

Anyway, my concentration has more required courses than the others, most of which happen in the first fall semester. We're guaranteed enrollment into those, so the urgency isn't that high.

Thanks, guys...

 

[xscpx]

It's totally fine to "freak out". We all have been there or soon will be.

If you still want the info. I'm taking 3 classes this Fall, working full time, volunteering research about 5-10 (max) hours a week, and then I have my zoo (pets) and significant other and home to care for. It's totally doable, just plan well. Planners are your friend!

If you can get your girlfriend to walk your dog that may save you some grief.

 

[erikalindsay]

I'm a single parent and worked 32 hours/week while taking full-time courses and rocked. You should be fine.