Your opinion on reducing course load for the purpose of learning and passing well?

[Hiscousin]

Hello, I am thinking of reducing my course load because currently I have a feeling that I might not do as well because I believe that I may need to spend more time on a few subjects.

So rather than taking 5 courses, I am thinking of taking lets say 3 instead. With this method I believe that I can actually spend more time and learn a subject well, as with a full course load you always feel that you are just rushing through everything, memorizing only the key elements and scrapping the rest.

Or is there an unwritten rule that if you don't finish a 4 year program in exactly 4 years, a 3 year program in exactly 3 years, etc etc... means that you are not a good candidate for hire and that you will struggle at work even though you have good grades by having a reduced course load each semester??

Also does how long you take to complete a program determine how well you perform at work? I am talking about a reasonable amount of time of course. Lets say 6 years for a 4 year course and 4 years for a 3 year course.

I am currently in a 3 year program in computer programming at college, currently in second semester. Thinking of taking three instead of 5 courses.

[windforcexx28]

To be honest, I'd rather do well than to rush through the courses and half-arse the program. You're in school to learn. If you need more time to learn certain concepts, then take your time.

[HTTP04]

Courses you just want to learn and pass: Credit course (Where you just receive a credit and no mark)

*If your school offers that option

[Syne]

Nothing wrong with this.

Many teachers have their heads up their arse and seem to think you must spend 100% of your free time focusing on their class. Reduce your course load if you need. You might even find yourself engaging more with extra-curriculars and enjoying College life a little, taking in the surroundings, rather than spending every waking minute of every day with your nose in a book or on a computer.

[Anonymouse]

Most people find that, once they are working, they use only a few courses that they took in school, i.e. most of what you are learning is irrelevant, so it's best to get it over with. Also, grades matter much less than people assume they do. I was never asked for a transcript when I got my first job, for example.

Every year you spend in school is a loss of about $60k in direct and opportunity costs, and delays your starting to save for a house or retirement.

One of the best things that technical school can teach you is how to work hard and efficiently. Good education is painful. Don't short circuit the process by going to a lighter courseload unless you are in danger of failing altogether.

[medalgo]

If you're serious about this, then there's nothing wrong with it. If it's an excuse to slack, then you'll be wasting a couple of years. 5 courses isn't a lot though to be honest.

[squagles]

Hello, I am thinking of reducing my course load because currently I have a feeling that I might not do as well because I believe that I may need to spend more time on a few subjects.

So rather than taking 5 courses, I am thinking of taking lets say 3 instead. With this method I believe that I can actually spend more time and learn a subject well, as with a full course load you always feel that you are just rushing through everything, memorizing only the key elements and scrapping the rest.

Or is there an unwritten rule that if you don't finish a 4 year program in exactly 4 years, a 3 year program in exactly 3 years, etc etc... means that you are not a good candidate for hire and that you will struggle at work even though you have good grades by having a reduced course load each semester??

Also does how long you take to complete a program determine how well you perform at work? I am talking about a reasonable amount of time of course. Lets say 6 years for a 4 year course and 4 years for a 3 year course.

I am currently in a 3 year program in computer programming at college, currently in second semester. Thinking of taking three instead of 5 courses.

You won't be considered a full-time student if you need a loan or something.

[kmarcie]

I guess this depends on the courses and the learning abilities of each person, but I always found that people don't do well in classes not because the content is too hard, but because they aren't working hard enough.

Are you really saying that when you put in extra effort, extra reviewing and preparation time that 5 courses is really too much for you?

If learning the actual content is an issue for you, I find that you can go to the class twice. The beauty of university is that there's different class times. If you really don't understand a certain lesson, go to the same class twice.

In terms of your question of whether this affects the chances of being hired, there's no effect. If asked, you can always explain it easily saying you've switched majors and hence had to take a few make up courses.

[Hiscousin]

If learning the actual content is an issue for you, I find that you can go to the class twice. The beauty of university is that there's different class times. If you really don't understand a certain lesson, go to the same class twice.



Hmm, maybe I will experiment with this part first. And yes I don't always get everything in one sitting of lecture and find myself learning that part all by myself, thus consuming extra time. Thanks.

[bluejazzy]

I've done my whole undergrad based on 80% of full course load except first year. This was a decision based on marks, more time spent to learn things thoroughly, and the tending to have bad examination schedules because UTSC never has their stuff figured ahead of time.

[heimdal]

I would just take 4 courses at the bare minimum.

Some people think you would get more time in studying if you only have a few courses, but in reality it leaves you more prone to slacking off during your extra spare time.

[chinaboy1021]

Well....I've taken 3 course semesters but also did a 6-course semester. Learning experience suffered big time with 6 courses, grades also suffered. One word of warning though, if you feel you can handle 5 courses at the beginning of the semester, you have to consider the workload that lies within the second half of the semester. Midterm season, assignments due, final exam season...The beginning of the semester is not a good indication of course workload...

Btw you mention you are in computer programming in college, I think if you take 3 courses, that will give you a lot of time to do your own projects, learn more skills outside the course work, create your own portfolio, etc. which will help your resume which is a plus....

[divx]

I guess this depends on the courses and the learning abilities of each person, but I always found that people don't do well in classes not because the content is too hard, but because they aren't working hard enough.

Are you really saying that when you put in extra effort, extra reviewing and preparation time that 5 courses is really too much for you?

If learning the actual content is an issue for you, I find that you can go to the class twice. The beauty of university is that there's different class times. If you really don't understand a certain lesson, go to the same class twice.

In terms of your question of whether this affects the chances of being hired, there's no effect. If asked, you can always explain it easily saying you've switched majors and hence had to take a few make up courses.

He said he goes to college, I don't think college repeat lectures. BTW did you actually go to university? I question because there is a such obvious flaw in that statement I found it rather amusing.

To the op, yes I agree with you that you should be able to take reduced course load, I thought about doing just that when I went to university but for the exact reason you mentioned, I end up not.

[medalgo]

He said he goes to college, I don't think college repeat lectures. BTW did you actually go to university? I question because there is a such obvious flaw in that statement I found it rather amusing.

To the op, yes I agree with you that you should be able to take reduced course load, I thought about doing just that when I went to university but for the exact reason you mentioned, I end up not.

I don't mean to be offensive or anything, but you went to university without knowing there were multiple lecture sections to pick from? How did you select your courses? I mean, I understand that some programs are smaller and might just have one class per course but especially first year introduction courses like psychology should've had at least 2-3 classes no?

[divx]

I don't mean to be offensive or anything, but you went to university without knowing there were multiple lecture sections to pick from? How did you select your courses? I mean, I understand that some programs are smaller and might just have one class per course but especially first year introduction courses like psychology should've had at least 2-3 classes no?

Sure they have multiple classes, but the issue is time, I barely have time to attend the lecture once. The op and I have the same issue, that is not enough time to deal with the course load, thus he wants to take reduced workload.

[Hiscousin]

Actually FYI for those aren't sure of college schedules, profs do allow students to take a the same lecture twice.
At least in the classes that I have attended, I was told that I can just sit in the other lectures if I want to hear it again.
As long as your lecture schedule doesn't conflict with the other lecture you want to participate in.

I think its the scale and number of projects in courses that is consuming more time than I thought. 5 courses might seem like a small number, but I think they try to squeeze the workload of 2 courses into one sometimes.

[kear7856]

nothing is wrong with this its all about grades in the end

[fuzzy_avocado]

omg, i was just telling a random in one of my lectures to do this. Take less courses and ace them so that you can have personal satisfaction with your degree and your academic growth. what the hell are you in a rush for anyway? to struggle in finding a job in this economy? don't take a lot, i did this and i burnt out, it was too much and i dropped nearly all courses. quality over quantity! taking an extra year in university was the best thing i ever did in my life, even though at the time of making this decision i felt like a failure, i can see that in retrospect i would have been a poor lost soul had i have graduated 'on time'.

[rjones416]

My program offers a flex option and I gladly took it. Going from a total of 9 classes to 5 really helps a lot, the only bad thing is I have to take classes during the summer.

[imflying12]

omg, i was just telling a random in one of my lectures to do this. Take less courses and ace them so that you can have personal satisfaction with your degree and your academic growth. what the hell are you in a rush for anyway? to struggle in finding a job in this economy? don't take a lot, i did this and i burnt out, it was too much and i dropped nearly all courses. quality over quantity! taking an extra year in university was the best thing i ever did in my life, even though at the time of making this decision i felt like a failure, i can see that in retrospect i would have been a poor lost soul had i have graduated 'on time'.

but would this have an overall impact on you when your employer looks at your transcript?? or what about grad school admissions??

[divx]

but would this have an overall impact on you when your employer looks at your transcript?? or what about grad school admissions??

only in a limited way, some co-op jobs and internships ask for your transcript but full time positions don't care unless you have nothing else to show for it (read: experience). grad school have mark requirement, so they may or may not care.

[flafson]

It all depends your marks and what you can manage. I can't manage much so my rule is do as little as possible while still being full course load (for OSAP)

Eventually they will want a certain GPA to graduate and if you don't have that then you are screwed and need to redo courses. So better to take it slow and get it right then not at all.

[Jeff1221]

I'd say it depends on your schedule and difficulty of courses. If you have 5 difficult courses but a few days of no class in your schedule, it definitely should be doable if you study/catch up on those days diligently. I know friends who have rushed to graduate doing full courseloads with fairly hard courses. They passed but their grades weren't that great simply because of a lack of time. Judge for yourself accordingly.

[flafson]

I'd say it depends on your schedule and difficulty of courses. If you have 5 difficult courses but a few days of no class in your schedule, it definitely should be doable if you study/catch up on those days diligently. I know friends who have rushed to graduate doing full courseloads with fairly hard courses. They passed but their grades weren't that great simply because of a lack of time. Judge for yourself accordingly.

Problem with that tactic is that all his finals will be on the same time. I don't wish anyone 3 finals on same day.

[Jeff1221]

Problem with that tactic is that all his finals will be on the same time. I don't wish anyone 3 finals on same day.

No it wont. I did this last year, took 5 fairly hard courses each semester and my exams were pretty spread out anyway. At UofT atleast, 3 exams consecutively on the same day can be rescheduled if you want (or write them if you want). I don't understand what the final schedule has to do with your schedule? Isn't it made by the school to avoid conflicts for most students.

[flafson]

It is but they usually end up being same day. At least at York. Hell, i've seen people with 3 exams on the same day and 2 of them even overlapping each other a bit. Solution was to finish it in less time...
Last semester i had only 2 courses and they were both same day. Maybe they're smarter at UofT, i don't know.

[Jeff1221]

It is but they usually end up being same day. At least at York. Hell, i've seen people with 3 exams on the same day and 2 of them even overlapping each other a bit. Solution was to finish it in less time...
Last semester i had only 2 courses and they were both same day. Maybe they're smarter at UofT, i don't know.

The hell? Overlapping exams are allowed? UofT tries to make you have no conflicts at all in finals and midterms, although it happens. I had a conflict for a midterm 2 years ago, all I had to do was speak to the prof and reschedule.

[HTTP04]

but would this have an overall impact on you when your employer looks at your transcript?? or what about grad school admissions??

As other poster said it doesnt matter for FT job.

I know this idi** at school, he was basically an office admin at a company but he decided to change that to a "analyst" position on his resume without approval from boss; cant wait to see what happens.

@fuzzy: I totally agree with you dude. At first I was worried about taking an extra semester or two and delaying my graduation but I think I made a wise decision. More time for proper not like the idiot mentioned above undergraduate job experience.

[kear7856]

only in a limited way, some co-op jobs and internships ask for your transcript but full time positions don't care unless you have nothing else to show for it (read: experience). grad school have mark requirement, so they may or may not care.

it does'nt your transcript only tells what courses you've taken and as long as you've taken 60% or more in course load your considered full time by the school and osap

[divx]

the transcript is much more detailed, tells which course were taken during what time, marks and repeats if applicable. to be considered full time by school, their policy is at least 80% of the regular course load, unless you have approved handicaps which lowers to 60%.

[orangealphabet]

I'd say it depends on your schedule and difficulty of courses.

I agree with this. I've taken semesters with 6 courses before and they were stressful but manageable because some of the courses were easy. Right now, I'm taking a semester with only 4-courses because all of them are so reading intensive :razz:. So, it really depends. I would definitely recommend trying to stay on track and finishing 20 credits in 4 years (or the equivalent with your school's system), unless you're okay with doing extra years. Nothing wrong with doing extra years I guess, if you don't mind it. Personally, I'd rather just get my Undergrad degree over with, though, and move on to bigger things. I'm already pretty sick of school after 3.5 years lol. (I'm on my last semester.)

But yeah, it depends on you, really. If you feel constantly behind and are starting to get the idea that it might be beneficial to take only 4 courses and concentrate on those instead of always feeling behind, then you might have a lot more enjoyable semester if you just dropped that 5th course. I'd say, just listen to your gut, but at the same time try to allow yourself the option of graduating in 4 years.