3 answers
Andres
Student
Cathedral City, California
1
Question
Updated
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How many units should you take or is recommended beginning college per quarter?
Degree focus is computer engineering at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
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3 answers
Kris Cousino
Construction management
66
Answers
Toledo, Ohio
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Kris’s Answer
Assuming that "units" is equivalent to "credit hours" or "hours", full time is considered a minimum 12 hours. Anything over 16 hours is considered a bit excessive. But if you aren't working at all, you don't have any extra curricular activities at all, and you love studying full time, then up to 18 hours per quarter or per semester is possible, but not recommended.
Averaging 14 to 15 hours per quarter or per semester is recommended. You have to weigh in whether or not you participate in sports or have a part time job or any other extra curricular activity.
Personally, I would recommend giving yourself free time to enjoy your college years. Participate in various interest groups while you can. If your bachelor's degree takes 5 years instead of 4 years, that is not a bad thing.
Averaging 14 to 15 hours per quarter or per semester is recommended. You have to weigh in whether or not you participate in sports or have a part time job or any other extra curricular activity.
Personally, I would recommend giving yourself free time to enjoy your college years. Participate in various interest groups while you can. If your bachelor's degree takes 5 years instead of 4 years, that is not a bad thing.
Karin P.
Lecturer, Academic Advisor, Career Coach
1093
Answers
Göttingen, Lower Saxony, Germany
Updated
Karin’s Answer
Hi Andres,
A full course load is usually at least 12 credits. Don't overload your schedule. Keep in mind how much work outside of class each course requires. You'll have homework to do, reports to write etc. Some courses will require more practicing than others.
As an engineering student, much of your program will be set because courses need to be taken in a certain sequence. You have pre-requisites and co-requisites and required courses. Your minor and electives will be where you have choices.
If you check out the website of the Computer Engineering Department you'll find the degree options, majors, minors and graduation requirements. You'll also find a flowchart and curriculum sheet for your studies. That is a tecommended sequence. I would start from there.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
https://cpe.calpoly.edu/about/degree-program/
https://flowcharts.calpoly.edu/mymap.php
A full course load is usually at least 12 credits. Don't overload your schedule. Keep in mind how much work outside of class each course requires. You'll have homework to do, reports to write etc. Some courses will require more practicing than others.
As an engineering student, much of your program will be set because courses need to be taken in a certain sequence. You have pre-requisites and co-requisites and required courses. Your minor and electives will be where you have choices.
If you check out the website of the Computer Engineering Department you'll find the degree options, majors, minors and graduation requirements. You'll also find a flowchart and curriculum sheet for your studies. That is a tecommended sequence. I would start from there.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
Karin recommends the following next steps:
Nicole Baillie
Data Analyst
504
Answers
Atlanta, Georgia
Updated
Nicole’s Answer
Hi Andres. Love your question...and love Kris' answer :)
To add to that, I can appreciate the idea of wanting to get college over and done with. For most students, while in college, you have studying to do and likely not much in the way of personal funding :). But there is a lot to enjoy about college life. In my case, I was able to find that balance between finishing my engineering degree in 4.5 instead of 4 years because I could see early on that in order for me to do well, I had to scale down some of my credit hours during my sophomore (2nd) year. Once I did that, not only did I feel less stress, but I also enjoyed what college campus life had to offer more. I made lasting relationships with peers and faculty.
After I thought of the right words to use to share my desire to take a slightly lighter course load with my family, they understood and supported my ask. In short, it took me a little longer, but it was worth the extra time that I gave myself both from a college experience standpoint and job seeking standpoint, as I had a stronger GPA to share with perspective employers.
I hope you find this answer helpful. Best of luck to you!
To add to that, I can appreciate the idea of wanting to get college over and done with. For most students, while in college, you have studying to do and likely not much in the way of personal funding :). But there is a lot to enjoy about college life. In my case, I was able to find that balance between finishing my engineering degree in 4.5 instead of 4 years because I could see early on that in order for me to do well, I had to scale down some of my credit hours during my sophomore (2nd) year. Once I did that, not only did I feel less stress, but I also enjoyed what college campus life had to offer more. I made lasting relationships with peers and faculty.
After I thought of the right words to use to share my desire to take a slightly lighter course load with my family, they understood and supported my ask. In short, it took me a little longer, but it was worth the extra time that I gave myself both from a college experience standpoint and job seeking standpoint, as I had a stronger GPA to share with perspective employers.
I hope you find this answer helpful. Best of luck to you!