Learn Physics at U Leuven: Will Hours Decrease?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the workload associated with studying physics at the University of Leuven, specifically concerning the number of hours dedicated to lectures and labs. Participants express their experiences and perceptions regarding the intensity of the schedule and whether it is likely to decrease in future years.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses concern about the packed schedule and inquires if the number of hours will decrease in subsequent years.
  • Another participant suggests that the workload may actually increase, particularly in higher-level courses.
  • Several participants clarify that the concern is about hours spent in lectures and labs rather than study time.
  • There is a discussion about the comparison of current hours to those in high school, with some noting that their university schedule feels heavier.
  • One participant mentions that a 36-hour week is typical for their current schedule, primarily consisting of exercise courses.
  • Another participant acknowledges that while the workload seems heavy, it is considered normal for studying in Europe, especially in physics.
  • One participant expresses a positive attitude towards managing the workload, indicating a passion for the subject.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on whether the number of hours will decrease in the future, with some suggesting it may worsen while others believe it is manageable. There are differing views on the normalcy of the workload in comparison to other fields of study.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference their personal experiences and comparisons with high school, but there are no specific details on the curriculum structure or official policies regarding workload changes.

NightShroud
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Hello, I'm new on this forum and I recently started studying physics at the University of Leuven (in Belgium). What I first noticed is that my schedule is packed like crazy and it's the number of hours that bother me more then the difficulty of the stuff we need to learn. So my question is: does this decrease a bit in the coming years? I won't stop studying physics because of the hours but it would be nice to know.
 
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If anything it gets worse. If you are spending multiple hours on introductory physics, I can't imagine the situation will change much in the higher-level courses.
 
I think he meant the number of hours spent in lectures and labs, not studying. Oh and NightShroud, when did you realize the number of hours is crazy? Before or after looking at this forum?
 
Ryker said:
I think he meant the number of hours spent in lectures and labs, not studying. Oh and NightShroud, when did you realize the number of hours is crazy? Before or after looking at this forum?

before, just comparing with others (who have less hours then in high school), I had a lot more hours in school (I have more hours then I had in high school).
 
Ryker said:
I think he meant the number of hours spent in lectures and labs, not studying.

Well it still doesn't make sense. Presumably if one majors in physics they realize they will spend most of their class time in physics instruction...
 
fss said:
Well it still doesn't make sense. Presumably if one majors in physics they realize they will spend most of their class time in physics instruction...
I think he meant the number of hours spent in lectures and labs in absolute terms and in general (vs. time he would otherwise be free to do whatever he wanted) :wink: NightShroud, how many hours do you have, by the way?
 
Ryker said:
I think he meant the number of hours spent in lectures and labs in absolute terms and in general (vs. time he would otherwise be free to do whatever he wanted) :wink: NightShroud, how many hours do you have, by the way?

it depends, this week is 36 houres. Most of it is exercise courses but still.
 
Ah, yeah, OK, although a bit on the heavy side, it still seems normal for studying in Europe.
 
Ryker said:
Ah, yeah, OK, although a bit on the heavy side, it still seems normal for studying in Europe.

Maybe in physics but in general it's on of the heaviest studies out here (at least).
But I'll manage, I really like to do this and that'll help me get through.
 

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