Managing the Most Difficult College Classes

Hello, a slightly anxious junior here. I've heard many stories about super difficult college classes. One thing I'm worried about is how to schedule my classes in college, especially considering I might encounter some really challenging ones. Any advice on how to balance difficult courses with other commitments?

As an incoming college student, planning your course schedule can definitely feel a bit daunting, especially considering college-level coursework can be quite demanding. So it's great that you're already thinking about it.

First and foremost, it's important to acknowledge that college is different from high school and you won't have classes back to back from morning till afternoon. Instead, you'll have gaps that you can use productively. Also, not all classes meet every day. Some might meet once a week for a couple of hours, some might meet a couple of times a week for an hour, so scheduling can be flexible.

One strategy to balance particularly difficult courses is to distribute them evenly across your semesters rather than lumping them together. If you know a certain course will be challenging, try to balance it with easier or less time-intensive classes that semester. This way, you can devote more time to study for the difficult one. You could also consider taking summer courses to spread out your course load more evenly throughout the year.

When scheduling classes, also factor in the time of day you are most productive. If you're a morning person, try to schedule intense courses in the morning. If you're a night owl, afternoon or evening classes might work better for you.

Prioritize your commitments. Remember, your primary reason for attending college is education. So while extracurricular activities and socializing are important, make sure not to overload yourself with commitments that could compromise your academic performance.

Finally, don't forget to tap into resources. Colleges offer various resources such as tutoring, study groups, office hours with professors, and academic advisory services that can support you in navigating difficult classes. Don't hesitate to make use of them.

Remember, every student faces challenging classes at some point in their college career. It's a normal part of the experience. By thinking ahead and focusing on managing your time and commitments effectively, you're already off to a great start. Best of luck to you!