Five college courses are more demanding than five high school courses because
college courses require much more independent reading. Some first-semester freshmen
take only four courses while they adjust to college. This can increase your chance of earning
a higher grade-point average, which in turn can motivate you to continue. If you are
concerned about falling behind, take an extra course in the summer (though you will need to
pay additional tuition). Spring semester usually ends by mid-May. If you take a course in late
May or June, you still have two months of summer vacation.
When you select your courses each semester, stagger them. Having three or even two classes in a row can be tiring, and your attention and concentration can suffer. Use the time between classes to read over, summarize or perhaps recopy your notes, or to review your notes before a test.
Mix large-enrollment classes with smaller classes. It’s easy to become a faceless number in a large lecture class. Smaller classes promote active learning, because you have more opportunities to ask questions and to participate in discussions or group work.
