Based on my level of devotion, how many Semester Credit Hours should I take?

Question

I graduated 31 / 444, I'm in the top 10%, I scored a 1200 (1800 new scale) on my SAT with:

690 in math, a 550 in Writing (8 on my essay and 54 on multiple choice), and a 560 in Critical Reading,

I had a GPA of 4.439, and college GPA of 3.517, I'm going to a community college

I have 2 jobs working me about a total of 35 hours a week. I can afford to sacrifice one of those jobs leaving me with about 25 hours a week.

How many Semester Credit Hours do you think I can handle?

I can't really sacrifice both my jobs, because then I won't have money. My parent doesn't have anything to offer for college. I have to pay for my gas, the electric bill, food / drink, clothes, school supplies, and additional money to support my father and siblings.

Answer 1

Remember that the University/College can usually get you a job "around" your schedule. But I would say no more than 12 credit hours. Although to be quite honest, as a Freshman you are NOT going to be learning anything new, and if you do it will be a shock. The first year is pretty much just rehash. So, consider that.

First off, CALL YOUR COUNSELOR and talk to them. They will be realistic about your working hours and your schedule! Also, ask if you can "test out" of some of the classes, but do it NOW before its too late. CALL A STUDENT COUNSELOR!

Answer 2

University is different than community college.
Junior & Senior are a big jump in difficulty. Most "weed-out" classes are junior-level classes.

1. Your full time job should be school. Lose the other jobs, and do as best you can. The breakthrough that money allowed is specialization. The breakthrough that the industrial revolution allowed was more specialization. Take advantage of those ideas, and specialize in college.

2. The guaranteed 4.0 system, (I use it personally, www.guaranteed4.com) shows how to keep a 4.0 with a junior/senior class load of 15 credit hours and only 25 out-of-class "study" hours invested. Those 25 hours are absolutely solid though, and missing them hurts more.

3. Try ramping up. Take a 12 credit hour class load with 4 classes that are core to your major, and all lab classes. If you can keep a 4.0, ramp up the next semester by taking 5 lab classes. Ramp up until you are at a 3.5 average, and keep that load till you are done. Mastery of the core content will get you an internship and possibly free tuition while you finish off your generals and electives. Its a front heavy approach, but its a time-optimal ramp-up for learning.

Answer 3

Roughly half time, I think; but it depends to some degree on how thoroughly you want to study each class. Colleges rate semester-hours differently, but in the most common rating scheme (where 4-5 classes would be rated at 16-18 credit hours) I'd say go for about 8-10.

Answer 4

16. Your GPA and honors don't matter when it comes to credits. I'm taking Honors Calculus my freshman year, but it's only one credit. I have 2 jobs totaling 51 hours a week, but I only graduated HS with a 3.11, ACT score of 28 without studying. I am taking 16 credits, in Honors Calc, regular Calc, Environmental Studies, Organic Chemistry, and Music, and I'm taking a test-out for English. I already have 6 Math credits from AP tests
Point is, I had a low GPA, but I'm taking high level classes. I'm taking high level classes, but I'm only getting 16 credits. It's not all about the amount of credits you get, you should know that, it's about the levels you take. Somebody could be taking introductory math and getting the same amount of credits I'm getting for Calculus.

Answer 5

Do the minimum credit hours to stay a full time student. There is a lot to learn about how school works, procedures, and making friends. I would also go down to 25 hours a week. If you want to pick up more classes the next semester, then do it then.

Answer 6

You could probably handle a full-time load which at most schools is 12 credit hours.

I once did 18 credit hours in one sememster and it kept me very busy, and I wasn't working an outside job.

Answer 7

Sub-one hundred instructions are remedial instructions. I easily have in elementary terms seen the place those are graded as pass/fail. No letter grade. you do no longer even get college credit for those from the college you took the class at.

Answer 8

16-18 easily.

GPA in any form is a joke. College classes, especially Community College classes, in your first year should be a joke as well.

Answer 9

at least 12 units, but no more than 20 units. but i prefer 15-17 units per semster