Typical Number of Hours for Freshmen

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First, find out what the norm is for your school. What do the orientation team leaders advise the incoming freshmen?

I worked my way through school. I only took 4 classes each semester. I also took 1-3 classes each summer to make up for it and finish in 4 years.

If you don't have to work a PT or FT job during the school year, take 5 classes each semester. I think taking class M-F helps spread out your work a little better. I know the idea of a 3-4 day weekend sounds wonderful, but you don't get that in the real world, so pace yourself now.

Whatever you do, please do your best to find an organization on campus to get involved with and hold a leadership position in that organization by the end of your sophomore year. This experience will help boost your resume to help you land your first internship.

And you should strive to land 1-4 internships during college to make sure that your major really is right for you as a career. You can often get college credit for an internship. Some may pay, too.

There's no huge rush to finish school in 2-3 years. It's not a race and you have the rest of your life to work or go to grad school. 4-5 years is perfectly fine and will give you a chance to test out different kinds of classes, study abroad, etc.

Take the time to enjoy what you are studying, and don't forget to take a few classes that interest you that may have nothing to do do with your major. Don't be afraid to declare a new major. Talk to as many professionals in the fields you are interested in going into as you can.