We are afraid the answer is dependent on a number of variables. For example, any other commitments you have during the semester, such as family or a job, the difficulty level of the courses/faculty members for you, and your ability to manage multiple topics at once. Some students can handle upwards of 20 hours a semester and others are better staying in the 12-15 hour range. Check with your college to determine their tuition schedule. Some charge by the credit hour, so you must have the money for a larger course load. Others do not charge for hours beyond what they determine to be a "full-time" load (generally listed as 12 hours). Be honest about your ability to manage a more significant load and balance that with your need to take more hours. Have a conversation with your academic advisor to make sure that you have the information on the courses and instructors in question so you can make a choice with a full understanding of what you are getting yourself into. Best Wishes!
The best place to start is your college's website, specifically your academic major's page. There, you will find a list of all the courses you need to take to graduate. NOTE: some will be listed by category; for example, you need a 300-level lab class or a 200-level social science course. You can then take that class and put it into any form that works for you - in spreadsheet form. You can then note the course you took (or plan to take), the term of your completion of the course (or target for the term in which you want to take the course), and note on the form that the course is on your transcript. This way, you have everything needed for your meeting with your academic advisor each term. Bring your spreadsheet and the list of courses you want to take during the next term. Your advisor can then help you walk through the next term and beyond.
@@aryanaalinnear If you have the list of classes you need to take, you can put them in a Google Doc or and Excel spreadsheet or a Word style document with a table. List the category of classes you need on the left side of the page. This will include some categories and some will be specific required courses. You can get that list from the college website for your major or from your academic advisor. In the next column to the right, list the course you took that meets that criteria. In the next column to the right, list the course you plan to take to meet that criteria when you get the chance (meaning the next time it is offered, or when it fits your schedule for a term). The next column to the right should be the date or term when you completed that requirement. You can add other columns for notes (for example if a specific class you need or want is only offered during one term a year). You can add in a column to track the classes you need for a minor or second major. Ask your academic advisor to review your work each term. That way you aren't caught forgetting a class or being behind as you near graduation. Did this help? If not, I am happy to take another swing at it!
@@FromNestToWings Thank you very much for this advice. It is really helpful. I will be attending college in the Fall, & I wanted to learn how to plan out my classes.
Great question. Once you know your extracurricular activities (sports, work/internships, organizations), you can lay out those commitments on a calendar. Note those that are nonnegotiable (can't be shifted due to class commitments). Then, look at the class offerings for the term. It is easier when there are multiple sections of the same course. You can slot in those that work in your schedule. If there are classes you need for graduation that are only offered when you have other commitments, you will have to make a choice. Work to reschedule or create workarounds for your extracurriculars and take the necessary course. Generally, that just takes a conversation with the leadership of the group or organization. This also means that you must be disciplined enough to complete all the tasks assigned in class and assumed with your extracurricular groups. Time management is your friend! Make sure you are purposeful about the use of your time and energy.
this is so helpful thank you so much
How many credits is too many to take a semester?
We are afraid the answer is dependent on a number of variables. For example, any other commitments you have during the semester, such as family or a job, the difficulty level of the courses/faculty members for you, and your ability to manage multiple topics at once. Some students can handle upwards of 20 hours a semester and others are better staying in the 12-15 hour range. Check with your college to determine their tuition schedule. Some charge by the credit hour, so you must have the money for a larger course load. Others do not charge for hours beyond what they determine to be a "full-time" load (generally listed as 12 hours). Be honest about your ability to manage a more significant load and balance that with your need to take more hours. Have a conversation with your academic advisor to make sure that you have the information on the courses and instructors in question so you can make a choice with a full understanding of what you are getting yourself into. Best Wishes!
@@FromNestToWings Thank you very much
Where can I find an example of a college class spreadsheet?
The best place to start is your college's website, specifically your academic major's page. There, you will find a list of all the courses you need to take to graduate. NOTE: some will be listed by category; for example, you need a 300-level lab class or a 200-level social science course. You can then take that class and put it into any form that works for you - in spreadsheet form. You can then note the course you took (or plan to take), the term of your completion of the course (or target for the term in which you want to take the course), and note on the form that the course is on your transcript. This way, you have everything needed for your meeting with your academic advisor each term. Bring your spreadsheet and the list of courses you want to take during the next term. Your advisor can then help you walk through the next term and beyond.
@@FromNestToWings Thanks so much
@@FromNestToWings How can I create my own spreadsheet?
@@aryanaalinnear If you have the list of classes you need to take, you can put them in a Google Doc or and Excel spreadsheet or a Word style document with a table. List the category of classes you need on the left side of the page. This will include some categories and some will be specific required courses. You can get that list from the college website for your major or from your academic advisor. In the next column to the right, list the course you took that meets that criteria. In the next column to the right, list the course you plan to take to meet that criteria when you get the chance (meaning the next time it is offered, or when it fits your schedule for a term). The next column to the right should be the date or term when you completed that requirement. You can add other columns for notes (for example if a specific class you need or want is only offered during one term a year). You can add in a column to track the classes you need for a minor or second major. Ask your academic advisor to review your work each term. That way you aren't caught forgetting a class or being behind as you near graduation. Did this help? If not, I am happy to take another swing at it!
@@FromNestToWings Thank you very much for this advice. It is really helpful. I will be attending college in the Fall, & I wanted to learn how to plan out my classes.
How can someone create their class schedule if they want to do extracurricular activities (working, sports, etc)?
Great question. Once you know your extracurricular activities (sports, work/internships, organizations), you can lay out those commitments on a calendar. Note those that are nonnegotiable (can't be shifted due to class commitments). Then, look at the class offerings for the term. It is easier when there are multiple sections of the same course. You can slot in those that work in your schedule. If there are classes you need for graduation that are only offered when you have other commitments, you will have to make a choice. Work to reschedule or create workarounds for your extracurriculars and take the necessary course. Generally, that just takes a conversation with the leadership of the group or organization. This also means that you must be disciplined enough to complete all the tasks assigned in class and assumed with your extracurricular groups. Time management is your friend! Make sure you are purposeful about the use of your time and energy.