Course load or course overload???

sandanrnstudent · Jul 1, 2012

I think that's a bit much when it comes to.studying. micro is a lot of science word memorization and chemistry is a lot of equations. Stats involves a lot of practice to catch on. Nutrition requires focus because u will really be needing to know it once the nursing classes start. West civ. I never took so I don't know what to say about that.

I think it would be too much. Can u save some for summer session? Also many loans and scholarships require u to be a full time student with credit hours but the nursing classes aren't enough hrs. Just something for u to think about.

Hope this helps!

SandanRNstudent

smrentz · Jul 1, 2012

Keep in mind that nursing schools are extremely competitive. The grades you make on your prerequisites weigh heavy on your admission eligibility. Whatever you decide to do with your courses, remember you need to have an adequate amount of time to focus on your prerequisites.

PinkCupcake · Jul 1, 2012

I've taken micro, chem, and stats and I could not imagine trying to take them together! I got A's in all three, but if I had to take them together I doubt my grade would have been that high!

If it all possible I would try and spread those classes out.

DisneyNurseGal, BSN, RN · Jul 1, 2012

It depends what else you have going on in your life. If you work full time, have kids, or a spouse, it might make it tough. Remember the guideline - three hours outside class for every credit hour - which equates to 51 hours a week studying MINIMUM. Microbiology and Chem are study intensive classes (are there labs to go with them?). Statistics was like no other math class that I ever took, some problems took two pages to complete and several hours of homework.

You have to ask yourself, yes I can get them done in one semester, but will my grades be higher if I slow it down a bit?

The only one who can truly answer this question is you... just listed to everyone's life experience and made a decision for yourself1 Good luck!

rubato, ASN, RN · Jul 1, 2012

I've taken up to 18 credit hours in a semester and gotten a 4.0, but I pretty much gave up my life. I have a hubby and child, so after school, studying and taking care of family, there was no time left in the day. What are your other responsibilities?

brenay · Jul 1, 2012

That's just it. I'm 19, no kids, no husband, no job. My job is to go to school. School is my only responsibility. Therefore, I think I can do it.

buttercupp85 · Jul 1, 2012

It's up to you what you think you can do. Nursing school is super competitive; therefore, I think it's better to take your time and get all A's than overload yourself and get mostly B's. In my school, Micro was really hard. O chem and biochem was hard but inorganic was pretty easy for me. So it depends what chemistry. I did take O chem and micro at the same time and that was challenging but doable. Stats wasn't bad, but for me nutrition was very very hard. But at my university inO chem and O chem were prereqs for nutrition and you had to be taking biochem at the same time. Lots of memorization. But I hear most places there are no prereqs for nutrition, so it depends on the school for sure. It's what you think you can do. But if things start to go south, definitely withdraw over getting a poor grade.

Good luck!

lovedijah · Jul 2, 2012

That's just it. I'm 19, no kids, no husband, no job. My job is to go to school. School is my only responsibility. Therefore, I think I can do it.

There you have it. You can do it :)

Stephalump · Jul 2, 2012

That's just it. I'm 19, no kids, no husband, no job. My job is to go to school. School is my only responsibility. Therefore, I think I can do it.

If you think you can do it, do it! To me that's a heavy load, but nothing crazy and undoable. You'll just be busy. Nothing wrong with that!

Jessbird · Jul 2, 2012

I think you can do it! As long as you don't burn yourself out by the last couple weeks of the semester, you'll be fine. Stay motivated, once you begin to lose that motivation, you'll begin to feel a lot more pressure. The pressure is definitely normal just learn to deal with it in a healthy way (I run several miles a week in the morning to keep me leveled).

I think it's great you're overloading on hours. . .many students can't handle it. Someone in your position should take advantage of all the time they have. Good luck on your future semesters!

Jennie.K · Jul 2, 2012

What is your GPA now and can you keep it (or get it) close to a 4.0? Also, are you strong in math and science? Statistics is a TON of homework (at least at my school). The fact that you have no other responsibilities, you shouldn't have a problem. Just make sure you really manage your time wisely. Good luck!