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Hey
I was just wondering how many hours are recommended for college freshman? I am taking 17 hours right now and its only been the first week and i am drenched with homework! My history professor made us read 100 pages the first night and by next week we have to read a 300 page supplementary book plus readings of like 30 pages from the other book! I know that college is obviously tougher but do you think I should drop one class--more specifically that history class. I really care about doing well and don't just want to take a lot of hours to get done quicker. I guess you can say I care for quality not quantity.
I am at UNC-Chapel Hill and I was talking to several people and everyone's answers vary. Some people tell me take 14-15 hours only whereas others tell me to take 17-18. Any suggestions?

By Fenix_Three (Fenix_Three) on Saturday, August 28, 2004 - 02:12 pm: Edit

Take 14 your first semester... Hah, what do I know I'm taking 18... Screwed.. yeah. Hey, but I'm not taking history.

By Kwtortoise (Kwtortoise) on Saturday, August 28, 2004 - 02:15 pm: Edit

See what is required for you to stay on track for your major and graduating in the time frame you want. Also, check on how far into the semester you can drop classes without penalties. You could wait it out until the deadline, and drop if you are still overloaded.

By Welshie (Welshie) on Saturday, August 28, 2004 - 02:57 pm: Edit

I'm taking 15 (that is the usual mark) but planned on taking 18.5 (my dad wouldn't let me register for that many classes). Also, I met a girl who was taking 17 but said she really wanted to take 18 just because of the way it sounds.

By Fendergirl (Fendergirl) on Saturday, August 28, 2004 - 03:05 pm: Edit

i took 17 my first semester and got the best grades of any semester so far (i'm a senior now). i also took history that first semester.

By Aspirer42 (Aspirer42) on Saturday, August 28, 2004 - 06:54 pm: Edit

Dang, what class is that? I don't know any freshman UNC history courses that are giving that much out.

By Megofou (Megofou) on Saturday, August 28, 2004 - 08:14 pm: Edit

I'm taking 18 first quarter and 20 second. 0.o I'm...hoping my school's a little different.

By Patito12 (Patito12) on Sunday, August 29, 2004 - 01:58 pm: Edit

yeah, im taking 15 hours, including 3 discussion based classes.
thats 4 classes. im hoping ill be ok....

By Bluealien01 (Bluealien01) on Monday, August 30, 2004 - 04:15 pm: Edit

I know someone at CH and it is supposedly much tougher than other schools in NC. It won't kill you if you drop. 12 hours is fulltime.

By Alongfortheride (Alongfortheride) on Monday, August 30, 2004 - 04:40 pm: Edit

My son is taking 17 hours his first semester. Three of his classes have labs, so he is in class 22 hours a week for 17 hours of credit. His school made no excuses. They told the students that the academics there are intense. I'm going to assume at a top rated school like UNC-Chapel Hill, the same applies.

It seems to me that some questions remain unanswered in your history class. How many books did you purchase for the class? How many pages in those books, etc.? That might tell you if he's playing weed-out by throwing most of the work at you in the first couple of weeks.

Best advice I can give is to ask around and see if there is an upper classman who can give you the inside scoop on the prof.

By Tenisghs (Tenisghs) on Monday, August 30, 2004 - 04:53 pm: Edit

I'm planning on taking 17 hours (including discussion sections) my first quarter. For anyone on the quarter system, is that an overkill?

I usually don't take no more than 13 hours.
I'm a returning student.

By Nyapplicant (Nyapplicant) on Monday, August 30, 2004 - 07:09 pm: Edit

i have 21 hours of class (16 credits) in my first semester, which seems to be standard at my college. this isn't anything close to an ivy league school either - seems like we get more work than all you smart kids.

By Kewkiekid (Kewkiekid) on Saturday, September 04, 2004 - 07:16 am: Edit

i'm taking 17 credits my first quarter. i want 20 next quarter - we need permission to have more than 19.

i'm on the quarter system and nearly all classes are 5 credits (i found one of the few that's only 2, so i could have 4 classes instead of the standard 3) i want to either double major and have a minor, or major and double minor, but i also want to take some fun classes - i don't get much time at 3 classes a quarter.

By Welshie (Welshie) on Saturday, September 04, 2004 - 12:37 pm: Edit

If it helps, my 15 credit hours breaks down like so:
Monday, Wednesday, Friday:
8-8:50 - Proof Theory
10-10:50 - Honors Calculus 2
1-1:50 - History of Jazz

Tuesday, Thursday:
10-10:50 - Calculus 2
1-1:50 - Honors Intro. to the Book of Mormon
3-4:15 - Honors Writing