What is the most amount of classes/credits you took in a college semester?

RandomEvent · #1 06-15-2008, 02:47 AM

Well, after 3 years it's time for me to go back and finish my degree. The problem? I registered too late for the fall term, lol. So now I have to wait until Spring 2009. I'm not too bummed, because my major is English, the one subject that I've truly excelled at academically. So I'm going to try to take as many classes per semester (including summer terms), within reason of course.

So, I'm just wondering if any TBer's crammed a ton of credits into one semester. And, if you could tell me how that went for you, I'd appreciate it.

werbo1 · #2 06-15-2008, 06:45 AM

our usual load is four classes. next semester I'm going to take six, but one will be private lessons and one will be a performance class. I'd say as long as your classes are balanced you should be fine

**MAJOR METAL** · #3 06-15-2008, 07:03 AM

I did 19 credits one semester with 3 hours of commute each day working full time on the weekends with 2 close deaths during the semester after taking 18 credits over the summer , I was on the verge of mental collapse at the end and my grades showed it. That was my weakest semester and my GPA didint rebound enough from the damage of it. This was part of my 64 credits within the course of a year to compleate a BA.

ubado · #4 06-15-2008, 07:25 AM

17 was my max (two had "lab" classes ... 4 credits ea.).

I dropped down to only 4 classes (12 credits) a week due to working 40 hrs. a week, PLUS a double major (Advertising/Graphic Design, Art History). My majors had heavy course work .... kept me busy writing papers/research for AH, and computer graphic work for GD. Any more classes and I would have cracked!

Since you've been out of school for a bit .... ease yourself back into school life. I'd suggest 12hrs at first, then go up from there.

JimB52 · #5 06-15-2008, 07:49 AM

5 courses and a 20 hour per week internship, with another 20 hours paid at the internship. I think it was 20 or 21 credits total.

peterbright · #6 06-15-2008, 08:27 AM

I have six degrees with multiple doctorates & 20 semester hours was my limit. During my last two degrees (MSPH & PhD in public health with a major in epidemiology), I was working full time & commuting from 131 miles away (Lehigh Acres to Tampa) up to 4 days a week. That killed 2 cars and almost killed me.

J.D.B. · #7 06-15-2008, 08:38 AM

Good lord, Peter! (Or should I say Doctor!)

I generally did 16(four classes) with a job and it took a lot of energy.
Josh

spade2you · #8 06-15-2008, 09:18 AM

20! I had a load of biochem classes and a research lab, which only counted as 1 credit. I was in lab about 12 hours a week! That semester sucked.

**MAJOR METAL** · #9 06-15-2008, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peterbright

I have six degrees with multiple doctorates & 20 semester hours was my limit. During my last two degrees (MSPH & PhD in public health with a major in epidemiology), I was working full time & commuting from 131 miles away (Lehigh Acres to Tampa) up to 4 days a week. That killed 2 cars and almost killed me.

How are you still alive ?

ryco · #10 06-15-2008, 10:42 AM

24 credits

English - 5, Pre-Calc - 5, Theory II - 5, Physics - 5, Jazz Band - 4.

Schedules like this killed me. Ended up dropping out after two years.
Never was a very good student to begin with and I was trying to double major in Mech Eng and Music.
I had already graduated trade school and was a mech and architectural draftsman for 3 years at a large international firm.
For me, once I was out of high school and into the work force it was really hard to get back into the rhythm of school life.
Wanted out. Finished the theory courses and went back to work. No regrets.

**Mark Wilson** · #11 06-15-2008, 10:51 AM

I have 10 full courses a semester for music.
Plus, practicing.

RandomEvent · #12 06-15-2008, 11:13 AM

Wow, this is crazy guys. I'm planning on starting between 12 - 15 credits, then going from there. But thanks for the replies.

spade2you · #13 06-15-2008, 11:29 AM

Depending on your ability to focus on the course work and the difficulty, I'd probably recommend taking a little more than 12-15. An extra class or two per semester can shave off a semester or two sometimes.

StanFan · #14 06-15-2008, 12:32 PM

In my previous post-secondary studies I usually have at least 20 hours of classes weekly divided among 6 or 7 courses. I'm taking a summer transition course for university of 4 courses and around 25 hours of class per week. The fall semester involves six courses with 18 hours lecture 5.5 hours in lab. Winter semester is seven courses with 21 hours of lecture and 7 lab hours. Pretty standard for engineering courses I've seen and taken (btw I'm taking Electrical Engineering).

Needless to say I have no social life.

Tsal · #15 06-15-2008, 12:34 PM

Could you guys include some kind of percentage compared to average, so I would understand what you are talking about?

peterbright · #16 06-15-2008, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MAJOR METAL

How are you still alive ?

Stopped doing all the stuff that hurts 'ya.

tplyons · #17 06-15-2008, 01:51 PM

they won't let us do more than 4.5 units (18 credits) without having a 3.5 gpa. then the absolute max is 20 credits.

i'd love to take more. i work better under pressure.

hbarcat · #18 06-15-2008, 06:39 PM

19 hours physics/engineering.

That was brutal and my grades suffered badly.

jrthebassguy · #19 06-15-2008, 06:43 PM

Fifteen hours (five classes)

It wasn't too terribly hard, but it got so stressful to the point I quit my job so my brain wouldn't be too fried by the end of the semester.

Dr Stankface · #20 06-15-2008, 06:47 PM

I usually do 15 but my first semester, I did 21.