Taking an extra course for fun

[stell4]

I am starting my MS program this Fall, taking 3 courses and a seminar. That puts me 5 credits short of the maximum and the tuition difference is only about $50 to add a class. Would it be crazy to throw in an undergrad course, not at all aligned with my program, just for fun/self improvement? I'd really like to take Brewery Science and Tech (they visit the local micro brews as part of their lab and brew their own beer, I've always wanted to give it a try), it's of course already full, but I'd like to be added to the wiatlist. There are also a few other courses that I'd also be interested in taking if I can't get off the waitlist for the brew class. Anyone have any experience with taking extra courses? Or is this a bad idea?

[OregonGal]

Ok, for starters that sounds like a super fun program! I think you need to realistically look at your workload with your current classes and how much time you can squeeze in for an additional course. It also depends on what that other class is. Is it a 1-credit yoga class or a 4-credit research seminar? How technical/time consuming is the fun course, and will the fun of the course make up for having less leisure time for other activities?

[Theasaurus]

I've also signed up for a fun course. I have a full course load already (15 hours) but I went ahead and signed up for a 1 hour distance running course. It's nice to look at my schedule and see something other than the same prefix before every course #. It will also be nice to have a class somewhere else on campus. All of mine take place in the exact same building and on the same floor.

I think it's a good idea to sign up, but maybe see if you can take it pass/fail.

[StrangeLight]

see if you can audit the class instead of taking it for a grade or a pass/fail. on a pass/fail basis, you still need to do the assignments, which can often be time consuming and right around the time of the semester where you don't have time (because everything is due at once). if you audit the class, then you get to show up and do as much or as little of the work as you like.

in general, i'd say no to signing up for classes for fun because they have a lot of hidden un-fun work, but brewing or running or yoga don't really sound like they have a ton of thinking/reading/writing work to go along with them, so this is a special circumstance.

if possible, though, wait until the second semester to take a class like this. don't overload yourself in the first semester in grad school because by the end of october you will feel overwhelmed. see how you do with grad-level courses first. they're a lot different from undergrad classes.

[rising_star]

Do it! Nothing wrong with auditing a fun course or taking it pass/fail. It may even make you more productive with your other work.