Can I Handle This Rigorous Course Load with a Part-Time Job?

  • Thread starter Thread starter TTM2025
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Schedule
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the feasibility of managing a rigorous academic schedule alongside a part-time job. Participants share their insights on course load, work hours, and the potential impact on academic performance, particularly in the context of pursuing theoretical physics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses concern that their schedule may be too packed, especially with a 30-hour work week.
  • Another suggests considering dropping the computer science course to lighten the load, particularly since the participant is interested in theoretical physics.
  • A different viewpoint recommends consulting an academic adviser to evaluate the current and future schedule to avoid overloading and dropping essential prerequisites.
  • A participant shares personal experience, indicating that a similar schedule was manageable with reduced work hours and limited extracurricular commitments, suggesting that dropping work hours to 24 might improve the situation.
  • Some participants propose that reducing work hours further to 20 or 18 could be beneficial for managing the academic load.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that the current schedule is likely too packed, but there is no consensus on the optimal number of work hours or specific courses to drop. Multiple competing views on how to balance work and study remain present.

Contextual Notes

Participants express varying assumptions about the impact of work hours on academic performance and the importance of extracurricular activities, which may influence their recommendations.

Who May Find This Useful

Students considering a similar course load while working part-time, particularly those in STEM fields, may find the discussion relevant.

TTM2025
Messages
5
Reaction score
0
Hello everyone. I wanted to seek some advice on whether my schedule is good or is it too packed. I also work 30 hours a week.

Spring 2016

University Physics 3 w/ lab (4 credits)

Mathematical Methods in Physics 1 (3 credits)

Modern Differential Equations (3 credits)

General Chemistry 1 w/ lab (4 credits)

Introduction to Computer Science C++ (4 credits)
 
Physics news on Phys.org
It does seem a bit packed... especially considering you work 30 hours a week.
 
Would it better to drop computer science and take it at a different time? I am trying to go into theoretical physics.
 
I would talk to an adviser at your school and go over your current and future schedule to make sure you aren't overloaded and don't drop a pre-req or something.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: TTM2025
Alright, well thank you very much for your advice.
 
Hey, if I was to decrease my amount of work time to 24 hours a week would the extra 6 hours make it a good schedule or still a bit packed?
 
I've had a similar schedule in the past, except instead of working 30 hours a week, I worked 15 hours a week and also a couple hours of volunteer work a week, and was in some clubs. I think it's doable if you drop your work hours to 24 hours a week, but then don't consider more than maybe one extracurricular at most, and no commitment (i.e., don't become a Vice Pres. of a club or a project manager). However, I'd recommend trying to drop your workload to 20 or 18 hours a week if you can.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
3K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
3K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
3K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
3K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
3K