How Many Classes Should I Take in College?

Before pursuing higher education, many prospective students wonder, "How many classes should I take in college?" The answer depends on a few key factors, including how much time you have to commit to college, requirements for your major, and financial aid eligibility. Although full-time students typically take at least 12 credit hours per semester, your goals and capabilities will guide you in deciding the number of classes that are right for you. 

Use the information here to determine how these factors affect your course load. Discover the pros and cons of full-time versus part-time attendance and get tips for choosing college classes and finding balance at school. 

Credit hours and time commitment

When determining how many classes to take in college, consider how much time you have to commit to school. Situations that might affect your time commitment to college include:

• Having a job outside of school

• Family obligations

• Involvement in extracurricular activities

Read more: What Is Time Management? 6 Strategies to Better Manage Your Time

How many hours is one credit hour? 

The US Department of Education equates one college credit hour with one hour of classroom or direct instruction and at least two hours of self-study per week for a minimum of 15 weeks for one semester of credit hour. 

You can use this figure to determine the minimum amount of time you'll need to commit for each college credit you take. For example, if you take 12 credits per semester, you'll need to commit at least 36 (12 x 3) hours per week to class attendance and study.

Degree or college course load requirements

To determine your college course load, consider the degree you want to pursue and examine the school's general course load requirements. Some degrees may require you to take certain classes at a specific time or a certain course load, and some schools have specific course load policies.

Financial aid considerations

Financial aid may play a role when deciding about your college course load. Receiving a federal student loan requires at least half-time enrollment, which usually equates to a minimum of six credits per semester, and private lenders typically have the same policy. If you take less than six credits after receiving a federal loan, you'll move to repayment status following a six-month grace period, and private loan repayment may begin right away. 

Full-time student vs. part-time student

Learning the definitions of full-time and part-time can be helpful when making decisions about your college course load. Colleges and universities usually consider learners full-time if they take 12 credit hours or more each semester. A part-time student generally takes on a course load with fewer than 12 credits each semester. If you're undecided about whether to attend college full-time or part-time, it can help to know the pros and cons of each option.

Pros and cons of attending college full-time

As a full-time student, you're likely to receive more financial aid than a part-time student. This occurs because full-time status costs more, and the lender considers a full-time student's inability to work due to a full course load. 

Additional advantages of full-time attendance include:

• Getting a degree in less time

• Working in your desired career more quickly

• An option to live on campus and engross yourself in campus life 

• More focus and motivation due to fewer work responsibilities

Some drawbacks of attending college on a full-time basis include:

• Lack of time for employment

• Lack of time for extracurricular activities

• Greater stress if your course load is too full

Read more: 13 Tips for Working Full-Time and Going to School

Pros and cons of attending college part-time

You may consider enrolling as a part-time student if you're entering college for the first time or have financial difficulty. The transition from high school or working in a job to attending college can be stressful, and a part-time schedule may help. 

Additional advantages of part-time attendance include:

• Less tuition expense than full-time enrollment

• More time for working a job while in school

• More time for family obligations or extracurricular activities

Some drawbacks of attending college part-time include:

• Less financial aid than full-time status

• Longer length of time for degree completion

• Less access to on-campus social activities

• Some limits on available degree programs

Read more: 5 Types of Part-Time Jobs for College Students

Other considerations to determine college course load

Depending on your specific situation, you may need to consider other factors when determining your college course load. For instance, you may decide to pursue a double major or add a minor, which could impact how many classes you want to take per semester. 

Additional factors might include:

• Your career goals and timeline

• The difficulty of the classes in your major

• Your desire to maintain a high GPA (which can be easier with fewer classes)

Read more: What Is a Good College GPA and How Can You Raise Yours?

Tips for choosing your college classes

In college, you have many more classes to choose from compared to high school. The following tips may help you create a schedule that works for you. 

• Visit your advisor for help planning your schedule, especially if you know what degree you want to pursue. 

• Get scheduling advice from peer mentors or academic club leaders.

• Ask for input from other students who've taken classes you want to take or pursued similar degrees.

• Think about what works best for your schedule, needs, and routine when planning out your best class times.

• Register as early as possible to ensure you get your preferred classes and to deal with any problems that might come up.

• Have backup classes planned, just in case. 

Tips for finding balance in college 

While choosing the right classes and course load helps ensure success in college, it also helps to find a good school-life balance. A few tips might help.

• Make self-care a priority, like healthy eating, exercise, relaxation time, and good sleep.

• Use a digital planner to establish a study schedule and keep track of other obligations. 

• Keep your school work and personal space organized to reduce stress.

• Seek help from a fellow classmate, tutor, or professor if you're having trouble in a class.

• Meet new people by participating in social activities and clubs on campus.

• Maintain contact with pre-college friends and family.

Next steps on Coursera

To get more information about course loads, class scheduling, financing your education, and many other facets of the college experience, consider taking U101: Understanding College and College Life, offered by the University of Washington on Coursera. The format for this course includes various videos, readings, and quizzes—all designed to help you succeed as you embark on a journey into higher education.