Is taking 18 credit hours in a semester too much?

I'm currently in my sophomore year and feeling a bit of pressure to fit in everything. I'm planning my schedule for next semester and wondering if taking 18 credit hours is manageable or am I setting myself up for an implosion?

Whether 18 credit hours is manageable really depends on a few things. For some students, 18 hours is absolutely doable; for others, it could be overwhelming. Let's look at some factors that might influence your decision:

First, consider the type of courses you plan on taking. Are these courses in your major and areas in which you're confident, or are they in areas you find challenging? If a majority of your courses next semester are in subjects where you generally excel, then an 18-hour course load might be manageable.

Secondly, consider your other responsibilities. Are you involved in extracurricular activities at a high level of commitment? Do you have a job or an internship? We often underestimate the time students need to contribute to things outside of their studies, so it's essential to factor in the time needed for these activities, too.

Lastly, some universities set a maximum amount of credit hours (often between 16-18) that a student can take in one semester. Have a word with your academic counselor to see if you're permitted to take 18 credit hours, or if you would need special approval.

Maybe try a trial run a few weeks before the semester starts. Map out your week with all the courses, projects, study time, job, extracurriculars, and downtime. If it seems too stressful or unmanageable, you might want to reconsider the18 credit hours. After all, it’s important that you are able to engage deeply with your courses rather than just scraping by in all of them. Remember, it's not just about surviving, but thriving too!