You asked:

I am really overwhelmed by my classes. Can I just drop one, or am I required to take a minimum number of classes?

It’s easy to get overwhelmed in the beginning of the semester. But before you give up on a class, get the facts. Most schools require 120 credits for you to graduate, which is an average of 15 credits (or roughly five classes) per semester, assuming you’d like to graduate in four years. At colleges that operate on a trimester schedule, students traditionally take fewer credits per term. To be considered a full-time student at a semester school, you typically need at least 12 credits. Full-time status is usually a requirement for some scholarships and for living in campus housing. On the flip side, you’ll probably need special permission to take more than 18 credits a semester.

That said, it’s OK to ease into college. If you want four classes your first semester, go for it and take an extra one the following semester, online or over the summer at a community college. It’s better to pace yourself and do well than to take on too much and jeopardize your GPA. Also, pay attention to when classes are offered. If something you need to take is only scheduled one semester a year, it will mess you up to miss it. It’s tough to gauge your workload until you’re in full swing. Pay attention the first week or so, check out your syllabi and decide then whether or not you can handle what you’ve taken on.

Also, keep in mind that there will be a limited period in which you are allowed to add or drop classes. If you miss that window, your drop will show up on your transcripts as a withdrawal, and some schools will hold you responsible for additional course fees. Also, consider study groups or tutoring before dropping a class. If it really is too much and you decide to drop, focus your energy on the rest of your courses and think carefully about your next semester’s schedule. Ask the R.A. Next Ask the R.A. Ask the R.A. Archive

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