college age daughter taking on too much

[CathyAnn]

My daughter is a freshman in college. She lives at home since financially we could barely afford tuition. Anyway, this year my daughter only took 12 hours of classes for each semester. She also joined a sorority and has a part-time job at a restraunt. She's handling these things well, but 12 hours is pretty easy to manage from remembering when I was in college. My daughter this upcoming fall wants to take 18 hours and continue be in her sorority and keep her part-time job. I think this way too much to handle. 18 hours is a lot and just taking those classes will be a lot to handle. I don't think my daughter will have time for her sorority or her part-time job if she takes 18 hours, but she wants to do all those things. I just think she's taking on too much and worry with everything she's taking on that her grades will suffer. I want her to finish college, and I think her priorities should be her classes not a sorority or a part-time job.

 

[smh]

Will the colleges let her take 18 hours? From what I remember when I first started college, we were advised to take between 12 and 15 hours. Rarely would they allow someone to take anymore than 15. That seems like an awful lot for someone to handle. When I first started college I usually took around 12 because that along with my part-time job was just enough for me to handle and still have a little time to experience being a young adult.

 

[CathyAnn]

hours

Yes the college will allow her to take 18 hours. 18 hours is the most they will allow, but I think its too much in addition to her sorority and job to handle.

 

[dee]

Option

If your daughter wants to get ahead, or stay on track, is it possible for her to take a class or two this summer? Sometimes the hours are perfect.

 

[imacacher]

Hmmm

I didn't belong to a sorority, but I took 18 credits each semester. Penn State allows you to take 19 credts per semester. 18 was a lot, but it was certainly do-able. She'll need to budget her time wisely, but it can be done.

 

[SC]

Depends on the classes

It also depends on the classes. I took 18 hours once, but it was easy because some of those hours were physical education and simple classes that I had no trouble with. I think that about 15 is normal for a semester, and 18 is only one extra class. Let her try it out, and if she doesn't do well, encourage her to "drop" a class or back off next semester.

 

[Tounces]

18

Seems very doable to me. I worked full-time, took 12 hours, and had a family, house to take care of and bills to pay. She doesn't have it nearly as hard as a lot of people these days. She could always drop the sorority if she got too busy. Work would be a priority though. She could help, if not pay, for her tuition. They let you take more classes if you have a high enough GPA where I went to college.

 

[M.]

Re

Your daughter is 18 and I think you need to let her figure this out on her own. I know you want what's best for her; however, sometimes it's best to stay out of it, especially when the child is older. I know you are worried about her grades, and as a parent, I know I would be too if I were in your situation. She might do well, you never know. Perhaps during the first week or two of school your daughter will look at her syllabi and make her decision. Especially when she really feels the pressure of working and all that school work. If it's too much, she can always drop. Sometimes you just actually need to feel and experience it before you make up your mind! I would let her try it if that's what she wants. She will learn a lesson either way. If she takes it and does well, she will really learn how time management, priorities, and she will have a great feeling of satisfaction. If she drops or doesn't do too well, she will probably learn that how to ask and listen to advice and knowing her limits. Either way, I think she will learn valuable lessons.

 

[Mrs_P]

Been there...

When I was in college I took 17-19 credits per semester, one semester I actually took 21, I think. Part of that time I also worked full time at one job and a few hours a week at another. I finished college in 4 years, even though I transfered schools, with no grade under a C. Could I have done better if I didn't take so many classes? No doubt, yes. But, I would not have been able to take as many classes and learn as much. Plus, I wouldn't have had to manage my time so closely. For me, it was on my "easy" semesters (last semester at each school) that I had the most trouble with getting things done, because I thought I had more time than I did.

 

[GB]

Let her experience it...

I got through college with several 15-17 hour semesters, work part-time, and a "social" life to boot. She can manage.

 

[teacherK8]

I took 18-21 credits for two years. I always worked 15-20 hours a week, played volleyball/broomball/or racquetball, in addition to hanging out with roommates and maintaining my apartment and bills. It wasn't easy, did I have as much "fun" as my peers? No, I doubt it, but I also don't feel like I missed out very much. I made my choice and I chose to get through school quickly. Just make sure she isn't doing it to save you money...I took that many credits b/c it cost the same as 12 and I knew I couldn't afford another year of school, and I do regret not finding a way to afford it so I could slow down and enjoy a little more.