College Students: How Many Courses Are you Taking Per Semester?

[diznee25]

If you're a full time student and want to post, that's fine. But I'm aiming my question at students who hold down a full time job while attending college.

For you full time workers, how many classes per semester can you handle? Do you have enough time outside of school for studying and homework?

A friend of my brother's is attending the local community college and taking one to two courses per semester because he's working 40 hours per week. He feels he's better able to concentrate on school by taking fewer courses.

I've estimated it'll take me 7 years to graduate if I take 2 courses per semester. Now I'm an average student, but with a full time job, I just don't know if I can handle more.

Diznee25

 

[Cindy B]

Work 30 hours per week, (considered full time) have kids/family, other obligations.

I take 2- 7 week courses (accelerated) per semester.

 

[AStarOnMars]

I take 4 classes but I do not work. I have wonderful parents that want to pay my way through college.

My BF takes 4-5 classes and works 35 hours a week. Sometimes he gets stressed out.

 

[Blueeyes101817]

i take 4 or 5 classes, depending..i only work part time

 

[luvdisney81]

I work 30-40 hours a week. Last semester I took 6 classes, acted in a play and stage managed another.

I lived on my own for a good portion of it and I pay for all living expenses, parents cover tuition, books and school supplies.

Yes I got stressed. But I have always worked and gone to school full time. I find with to much free time that I don't use it properly. If I keep a tight schedule then I have to always be productive. I pulled an all nighter or two at exam time but otherwise I just kept on top of things. I knew what classes required reading and what didn't. I think the typical person can handle full time work and 2 classes fine. More than that too. Factor family or spouses in then it is harder.

I find that some colleges offer half-semester courses. They are usually at night, about 2 1/2 to 3 hours long but only meet twice a week. Instead of lasting all semester they are done in about 7 weeks. They are straight to the point, a little faster paced and more lenient because of time constraints. I LOVE THEM!!!! You can take 2 at a time, and have 4 classes done in one semester!

Oooh and usually those classes are full of adults and older students, more intelligent and realistic discussions.

 

[onecoolmama]

I worked 40 hours and carried 18 credit hours so I could finish earlier. But, that was a few years ago.


DH is working on his masters and he takes 3-4 classes each semster. And he has a full time job and two kids.

 

[JoeThaNo1Stunna]

30 hours of work a week, 16 credits this semester.

 

[SoonerKate]

25-30 hours of work a week during football season, plus sometimes missing Friday classes (for away games); I usually take 4 or 5 classes. It gets stressful sometimes, but I tend to manage my time better the more I have to do.

 

[2BigKIdz]

I work FT 40 hrs per week. I work nights 9pm-7:30am and have a really hard time fitting classes into my work schedule. I take anywhere from 1 - 3 classes per semester. It gets really frustrating at times because it is taking forever! This semester just taking 1 class, but it's a 4 hour class and will require a lot of work.

 

[Jungle Skipper]

I'm signed up for 17 hours, 5 classes this semester....first time in college since 2002....I'm terrified, just bought my books today, $450....

Feeling REALLY stressed out right now!

Jungle Josh

 

[battricia]

When i was in college (this is my first year out after 5 years), I worked anywhere from 25-45 hours depending on the week/season/etc. and I never took less than 4 classes. Sometimes I'd take up to 16 credits (which would be 16 hours/week of class). I think it's really upto the individual whether or not they can handle that many classes and maintain a good gpa.

tricia.

 

[Aimeedyan]

I worked in undergrad between 20-40 hours a week, and averaged from 12 hours to 24 hours a semester, depending upon what I was taking and how motivated I was to get out (if I was taking a bunch of basic courses, I could stack more on than upperlevels, or things I struggled with like algebra)

Now I'm not working as much (graduate level) BUT I have health issues that have kept me from that, so it's not like I get extra study time either... I take 12-14 hours now, which is more than FT for my degree.

I think everyone is diff. Just because others may be able to do 12 hours and work FT doesn't mean you (no one in particular btw) can handle it... PLUS everyones classes are diff. There are some classes that take little to no work each week, and others that take 3 hours nightly to keep up, so don't beat yourself up by comparing your load to others. We don't know what they're taking, the course requirements, and how hard a university they are at...

Good luck!

 

[MinnieM21]

I don't work but I usually take 16 credits. I did work in the beginning of the year and took about 16 credits then.

Taking one to two courses will take him forever to graduate. I know plenty of people who work full time and take way more than one to two courses. A person is much more capable of taking more than one or two classes and working full time. It just takes dedication and effort.

 

[Cindy B]

Originally posted by MinnieM21

Taking one to two courses will take him forever to graduate. I know plenty of people who work full time and take way more than one to two courses. A person is much more capable of taking more than one or two classes and working full time. It just takes dedication and effort.

I all depends on the person. I can comfortably take two classes, work, take care of my kids/house, and do other household things.

I need to work for my mortgage payment. Not many college students are in that situation. When you take on non traditonal students roles such as paying mortgage, kids braces, caring for elderly parents, life tends to "take over" more than just a "student".

 

[diznee25]

Taking one to two courses will take him forever to graduate. I know plenty of people who work full time and take way more than one to two courses. A person is much more capable of taking more than one or two classes and working full time. It just takes dedication and effort.

As the poster before me mentioned, not only do non-traditional students have families to support and morgage to pay, but a married student may not qualify for much financial aid. As a result, there's a huge out of pocket cost for college. Therefore, someone working full time may only be able afford two classes per semester.
This is the situation my brother's friend is in. He's paying for his college courses and can only afford to take one or two classes per semester.

I do agree that everyone needs to take on the amount of courses they feel they can handle. Whether the factors involved include money, work or family. For some students this means two courses, for others it means a full school load.

If I take two courses per semester, I've estimated it'll take me 7 years to gaduate. (For an associates degree.) But I'm paying for college myself, and I'm not rich!

Diznee25

 

[Rajah]

I'm working 40 hours and currently taking (about to start) 2 classes. Last semester, I barely made it through one, but it was a very intense course and I wasn't exactly at my best. Past two semesters, I was doing two, but one was in-person and one was an independent study. I'm hoping I can hold up to 2 in-person classes.

 

[Crankyshank]

I took a year and a half off because of financial reasons.

When in school, I work 40hrs and take 2 classes a semester. yes it will (and has) taken forever, but as diznee25 said, some people don't have a choice. I don't qualify for financial aid.

fortunately I just started a new job that will pay X amount of money towards any degree program per year after 6mos of employment. I hope to be able to take classes starting next fall.

 

[MinnieM21]

Originally posted by diznee25
As the poster before me mentioned, not only do non-traditional students have families to support and morgage to pay, but a married student may not qualify for much financial aid. As a result, there's a huge out of pocket cost for college. Therefore, someone working full time may only be able afford two classes per semester.
This is the situation my brother's friend is in. He's paying for his college courses and can only afford to take one or two classes per semester.

I do agree that everyone needs to take on the amount of courses they feel they can handle. Whether the factors involved include money, work or family. For some students this means two courses, for others it means a full school load.

If I take two courses per semester, I've estimated it'll take me 7 years to gaduate. (For an associates degree.) But I'm paying for college myself, and I'm not rich!

Diznee25

I'm sorry I wasn't aware that your brother's friend was taking only two classes per semester because of financial reasons. I was assuming your brother's friend was just taking two classes just to take two classes, I shouldn't have assumed anything. I agree though, college courses sure are on the expensive side. I had to drop two of my summer college courses because of the cost!

My friend's mom took college courses when she was about 40 I believe and I remember it was tough for her to take more than a couple so I can understand that. She has three grown kids and was going through a divorce and going to school which was really tough on her.

School is really tough sometimes!

There are a lot of people at my school who have familes and I think it's so amazing how someone is able to raise a family and go to college at the same time.

 

[ShuisFan584]

I work between 25-40 hours a week, and I take 5 classes (16 credits). I just started working in the summer, so we'll see how the semester goes. I only have school on Monday's and Wednesdays (plus one class on Friday), so it shouldn't be too bad to handle work and school.

 

[Cindy B]

Originally posted by diznee25
As the poster before me mentioned, not only do non-traditional students have families to support and morgage to pay, but a married student may not qualify for much financial aid. As a result, there's a huge out of pocket cost for college. Therefore, someone working full time may only be able afford two classes per semester.
This is the situation my brother's friend is in. He's paying for his college courses and can only afford to take one or two classes per semester.

I do agree that everyone needs to take on the amount of courses they feel they can handle. Whether the factors involved include money, work or family. For some students this means two courses, for others it means a full school load.

If I take two courses per semester, I've estimated it'll take me 7 years to gaduate. (For an associates degree.) But I'm paying for college myself, and I'm not rich!

Diznee25

I am in the same boat. I don't qualify for aid, and my employer only pays for graduate level courses. I have always paid for my courses with cash, no loans or anything.

Most scholorships are for full time students only, or for "single moms". I know many "single moms" that need the educational support, since they don't have a dual income base.

Don't fret about the 7 years. I took a 13 year break ! I am near the end-- 3 classes to go. I try to focus on one class at a time. I am proud of the fact that with all the things going on in my life... kids, family, job, elder care of my MIL (she passed away), and other things.. I pulled down 30 credits in one year on the Dean's list.

Don't let the time get to you. You will get there. I didn't ever think I would get there, but I am in the home stretch of finishing.. then on to bachelors/masters.