How many college credits do you typically take per semester?

I'm trying to get a sense of a normal college schedule, especially how many credits students usually take each semester. Is there an average number of credits that's considered normal, and what happens if you take more or less than that? I'm trying to plan ahead and understand the workload, so any insights or personal experiences would be really helpful!

A typical full-time undergraduate college student usually takes around 12-15 credits per semester which equates to about 4-5 classes, assuming a traditional semester system. This is typically the minimum number of credits required to be considered a full-time student, which can be important for purposes such as financial aid, on-campus housing, and athletics eligibility.

Taking more than the average number of credits per semester, sometimes referred to as being an "overload" student, could be more challenging due to the increased coursework and time commitment. However, it’s not uncommon for students to take additional credits, especially if they're pursuing a double major, want to graduate earlier, or have a course sequence that demands it.

On the other hand, taking less than the average number of credits could extend your time to graduation beyond the traditional four years. There might be cases where this makes sense – for instance, if you're working a part-time or full-time job, have a heavy involvement in extracurricular activities, or have other significant commitments outside of academics.

Keep in mind that not all credits are created equal. The difficulty and workload of each class can vary depending on the subject matter and the professor's expectations. So, when planning your semester, it’s always a good idea to consider the overall balance of your schedule in terms of course rigor, not simply the total number of credits. For example, if you're taking a class that you know will be particularly challenging, you might want to balance it out with another class that's a bit easier for you or requires less time commitment.

Again, it’s all about finding the right balance that works for you. This might take some trial and error, so be patient with yourself and keep evaluating your schedule to find what works best for your individual learning style and other commitments.