What Does The Typical Schedule Look Like At A Rigorous College?

Hey y'all! I'm a junior right now and seriously considering some challenging schools. I've heard stories about crazy schedules at tough colleges and was wondering what that might really look like. Can anyone provide an example of a difficult college course schedule? Would love to hear personal experiences especially from the STEM side if possible! Thanks!

Hi! The rigor and schedule of a challenging college, especially in STEM, may vary depending on the institution and the specific program of study. However, let's take a look at a fairly common scenario.

Let's assume you're pursuing a degree in Bioengineering. You might be required to take a mix of general education courses, technical electives, core Bioengineering courses, and laboratory sessions.

A typical week might look something like this:

- Monday: From 8.00 am, you have Calculus II which extends up to 9.15 am. You have an hour break before General Chemistry at 10.30 am. After lunch, from 1.30 pm to 2.45 pm, you have Physics for Engineers I. Your day rounds off with Intro to Bioengineering from 3.30 pm to 4.45 pm.

- Tuesday: Your day starts with Biochemistry at 9.30 am, after which you have a couple of hours before Physics Lab at 2.00 pm. Your day ends at 5.00 pm.

- Wednesday: Similar to Monday–Calculus II, General Chemistry, Physics for Engineers I, and Intro to Bioengineering, with suitable breaks in-between.

- Thursday: In the morning, you have the same Biochemistry class as Tuesday, and then you have a General Chemistry lab from 1.00 pm to 4.00 pm.

- Friday: You would typically have Calculus II, General Chemistry, Physics for Engineers I, and Intro to Bioengineering, similar to Monday and Wednesday.

Remember that this is only the in-class time. While out of class, you'll be working on group projects, independent studies, researching and studying for exams, and potentially participating in extracurriculars or working part-time.

The course load and schedule can be intense, but many students find that the hands-on nature of many STEM courses, like labs and design projects, make their rigorous schedules also quite rewarding.

Keep in mind that while the above is a hypothetical schedule, it's not universal, and the specifics of your schedule will depend on factors like the specific college, your major, and your course selection.

Remember, while it's important to challenge yourself, it's equally crucial to maintain a balance in your life to avoid burnouts. It might take some tweaking of your schedule in the initial weeks of your freshman year to figure out that balance!