taking five classes in a semester?

[sidneysamson]

One of my semesters, I may end up taking five classes.  However, two of those are refresher courses.  I took the classes in undergrad but it was so long ago and they're important for my field so I'm retaking them to brush up.

I know people say five classes is hell but has anybody here done it?  How did it go?  I'm thinking my situation won't be nearly as bad since I'm retaking a linear algebra and computer science course so, since I won't deal with new material in those courses, it will feel more like four classes instead of five.

 

Thoughts?

[fuzzylogician]

I took 4 courses one semester. Ended up taking 4 incompletes and finished the requirements over the next 2 semesters. It was ok during the semester but there were just too many requirements at the end of the semester for me to handle. I needed all those classes for my degree and they were not going to be offered again for another two years, but if it wasn't necessary I would not recommend that kind of workload to anyone. 

[rising_star]

I've done 4 in a semester and managed it. Could you audit the undergrad refresher courses rather than taking them for credit? That would lighten your load at the end of the semester considerably.

[quilledink]

Oh, I'm glad someone asked this as well! It looks like I'm in the same boat -- mostly because my coursework seems to have balanced rather heavily in my very first (gulp) semester of grad school... and I want to get a head start on languages. I don't have any TA or RA work lined up for my first year though--would five courses be the nightmare I'm imagining it now to be?

[MsDarjeeling]

I think this largely depends on responsibilities you have outside of school and whether or not you're the type to procrastinate.  If you're the work ahead type or follow a steady pace type then you'll be fine.  If you tend to wait until the last minute, then so many classes isn't a good idea.  Also consider what you have to do when you're not in school.  Are you working full or part time?  Do you have a family or dependents?  You'll have to create some space in all of these areas to give you time to devote to 5 classes, but its not impossible.

 

I take 4 classes per semester and haven't had any trouble with that on top of all of my outside responsibilities.  It also helps that I'm the work ahead type.

 

I also second whoever said you should see if you can take those refresher courses for no credit/audit.  That way you can just get what you need from them without the stress of your gpa being affected.

[michigan girl]

If you are in a master's program with an internship/practicum requirement, then I do not recommend the heavy workload. It was difficult enough for me to take four classes in my master's program(s)! I never took more than 12 credits of courses for a letter grade. Graduate school sets the bar much higher academically than what you ever experienced in college. Graduate coursework is more intense (heavy workload on readings) and requires a lot of critical thinking and creativity (especially the essays and research papers).

Edited July 19, 2013 by michigan girl