Taking more than 4 classes at a time

Mandy0728 · Dec 22, 2013

I'm a non traditional student as well and I have 2 kids and my bf works full time so that I don't have to work at all. (Right now) anyways, last spring I took 5 classes/18 credits and got all As and was working 18 hours a week. This is how I do it: I literally study my notes from each class every night for about 20 min each then take a break...then study the next class etc. it worked with my pre reqs. I'd also study more than once a day for each class once it got close to our exam dates.

hollyspiller0253 · Dec 22, 2013

I also am a "non traditional student". Ive taken up to 18 credit hours while working full time. I do not recommend that. I was exhausted. I never stopped studying. Ever.

Would never do it again.

203bravo, MSN, APRN · Dec 23, 2013

6 kids? WOW that's your full time job -- God bless you :)

Anasara · Dec 23, 2013

You sound amazing. I also have a kid, going to bmcc and only took 2 classes this semester, got an A- in mat 104 and A in psychology. Had some very sick family this semester but taking more classes next semester, hoping like you, to get al A's. 18 credits is an enormous amount to take so kudos to you. What classes did you take and what school. Thanks for your reply

Mandy0728 · Dec 23, 2013

You sound amazing. I also have a kid going to bmcc and only took 2 classes this semester, got an A- in mat 104 and A in psychology. Had some very sick family this semester but taking more classes next semester, hoping like you, to get al A's. 18 credits is an enormous amount to take so kudos to you. What classes did you take and what school. Thanks for your reply[/quote']
I'm not sure if you were talking to me or not lol but if so, thank you for your kind words. When I took those 18 credits, I was taking biology, micro, nutrition, algebra, and lifespan psych. Like the other lady said, I wouldn't recommend18 credits while working. It was rough but I did it. Good luck to you! :)

RunBabyRN · Dec 23, 2013

I wouldn't risk it, with how important your GPA is when applying to nursing programs, especially with 6 kids. Have you been in school recently? How much can you really do and do well? I started with one class my first semester back, then two, and then three. I wouldn't personally do more than that. I wouldn't be able to do well otherwise.

I'm a parent as well, and I do better studying away from home. Otherwise there are a zillion demands on me. I'll also read on the treadmill to get in my workout and keep the blood flowing to my brain.

CowboyMedic, DNP, APRN, CRNA · Dec 23, 2013

I took 5 classes for the Fall semester for 14 hours and worked 36-48 hours a week. All I can say is how much do you want to be in this field. I'm married but don't have any kids so I'm not distracted too much. You just have to learn to prioritize your time. I had 3 classroom with 1 lab and 2 online classes. I will be taking 4 classes for the Spring semester with 15 hours. 3 classroom with 2 labs and 1 online.

pmabraham, BSN, RN · Dec 23, 2013

Good day:

One of my class mates this past fall has seven children. I don't recall all the ages, but there are two twins that are two years old, a three year old, and others... I think the others are older with the oldest being either pre-teen or early teen. Her husband works from home, and is extremely helpful.

She took four classes this past fall semester, and got A's in each and every one of them maintaining her consistent 4.0 GPA. The foru classes she took were Anatomy and Physiology I (that's were we know each other from), English Composition II, College Algebra, and Living Fit and Well.

I'm not sure how she does it, but her doing it shows it can be done.

Thank you.

sheepeggsandham · Dec 23, 2013

I took eng 102, ap 2, micro biology, ap2 lab and a technology and society class while working anywhere between 40 and 70 hrs a week at two different jobs. I have two small children but my wife was a stay at home mom. I work in ems so I pretty much spent my down time at work studying and I studied at home when my kids were sleeping. Having 6 kids is going to make it tough but it's do able you just have to be very good about making efficient use if your time. It can really feel overwhelming at times but it's only temporary and realizing that what your doing is going to improve your life and your families life in the long run helped me to push through when I was feeling discouraged and those days are just a memory now. Just remember when your in the middle of it that your not the first one to be in a situation like this, it's do able and it's been done before it just depends on how much you want it and how dedicated your willing to be.

emde · Dec 23, 2013

The least amount of classes I've taken is 4 courses. Last semester I had 6 classes. I'm a mother of two children under 4 years of age and a straight As student. The key is to be very very organized and practical. I cook food and save so I don't have to cook every day. I also have food that is quick to prepare for the days I have a lot of homework (chicken nuggets, fries, burritos. ect.). I do grocery shopping twice a month, and clean my house weekly. My husband and I decided to live with his income only until I finish NS. It's not easy, but it pays off. I will complete all the pre-req for my BSN program in 1 1/2 years. Spring 2014 is my last semester of pre-req, and I will start the NS on May. I hope that helps.

KimberlyAnn327 · Dec 23, 2013

I was told to come give my input on this post. Although I am going for ultrasound, not nursing. I'm the one pmabraham was talking about in his post. Yes, I have 7 kids. My youngest two are twins who are 22 months old. My oldest is 12.5 (The ones in between are 3, 4.5, 7 and 10). This past semester, I took 13 credits. In the Spring semester I'll be taking A&P 2, a physics class, a French class and a psychology class, for a total of 15 credits. I also have a part time job. Only 10 hours per week. In January that job will be changing to tutoring other students at the school. I very often get asked how I do it. Well, I guess part of it is genetics. My brain is very math/science oriented. My husband works at home and was watching the kids while I was at school, along with my mom, however we now have childcare set up so he can work more effectively while I'm at school. I take notes during my classes and make sure I understand everything that's being talked about. My husband also helped me study for my A&P class. Part of it is also bad luck in a way. I have a lot of trouble sleeping at night, so I often use that time to study or write papers or do homework. I also drink a lot of caffeine throughout the day (which probably only hurts my current sleeping situation).

Maybe this will make me sound bad, but I have been a stay at home mom since my oldest child was born so going to school is getting a break from them and some me-time. And yes, the end goal is a huge motivation for me, as well as knowing that the program I'm entering is extremely competitive, and I need to get good grades.

I don't know if my post was helpful at all. I just thought I'd share my experience. :)