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Is 4 courses too much in summer for a new student?

edited March 2015 in General
Hi guys I'm new to SFU. I just transferred to SFU in this summer and enrolled in GEOG 255, GEOG 312, and ARCH 252. Just wondering if ARCH 252 is a difficult course for new students because I'm planning to take SA 150 as well.
Thx!!

Comments

  • I always say 2-3 courses is the most you should take in the summer if you're going to be really committed to school and stay in school mode and make the sacrifices of having a real summer.

    On the other hand however, SA 150 is a damn easy course.
  • I don't think 4 courses is at all too much for summer school, but might be if it's your first term at SFU. I'd recommend 3 for your first term.
  • My first term at SFU I was in 4 courses and it wasn't bad. Of course that depends on what courses. I feel like yours would be a lot of memorization so it depends how well you can handle that really. 

    Plus if you're going to be a full-time student you would need to take about 4 courses since you need to be taking 12 credits per term and the average course is 3 credits. Though there are 4 credit and 1 credit courses too
  • Actually I'm working 3 days per week too. That's why I'm thinking if I can handle it. I'm transferred from Langara and work load is pretty easy there. I heard that courses in SFU is pretty tough though.
  • edited March 2015
    Full-time student status requires 9 units per term. If you're taking 3 courses, chances that it is at least 9 units. You can always take the 4 courses, and if it feels like too much work you can drop one (before the deadline).

  • Question: are you also going to be working? If so, then it probably would be hard to juggle.
  • With the info you've given. I say no. Especially transferring in from Langara and never taken anything at SFU before.

    You don't want to get a mental breakdown or something.
  • edited April 2015
    Also keep in mind that when you transfer into SFU, your GPA starts at 0 again so take an easier course load so you don't start your first term off with a terrible GPA.
  • Hi,

    I took four classes on my first semester, while also working 3 days a week. I did fine. And I was coming from three years of full-time work after high school and 2 semesters at adult ed lol.

    I think four classes would be okay. From my experience, summer classes are a bit easier.
  • I don't think summer courses are easier unless they are intersessional or condensed summer courses. It's just the mindset that its easier. Four courses is considered a normal full course load. Since SFU operates on a trimester scheme, summer semester is just like any other semester cept some courses are not offered. But I started off with 4 and did fine. I'm in my last year and decided to take 3 a semester since things get a bit harder.
  • edited April 2015
    I do summer school but I don't think I would ever do 4 courses, so I guess I was just speaking on my preference. 

    It's just because summer is such a different atmosphere and with all the things going on it's hard to have so many courses. I would still do well, but I'd feel like I never got a genuine break and that could affect my future semesters. 

    But I haven't tried it yet but that's how I feel, doubt I would ever take that many courses though. For instance, I did one course and I just hate  that feeling knowing that you have something to do hovering over you when you're in break mode.

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