Palm Beach State - Do I Have Enough Time to Take College Classes?

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Home > Distance Learning > Student Success Tips > Do I Have Enough Time to Take College Classes?

Do I Have Enough Time to Take College Classes?

Taking a college course can be a great learning experience, but the student must consider the amount of time required for this type of learning. Many students work and have other activities in their lives in addition to their classes. We recommend that you consider whether you have enough time to do all the things which you are planning.
For example, how many credits should you take during a semester, given the number of hours you work? We recommend the following for a 16-week semester term:

Work 40+ hours/week	1 Course	at most 4 credit hours
Work 30 - 40 hours/week	1 - 2 Courses	at most 7 credit hours
Work 20 - 30 hours/week	1 - 3 Courses	at most 10 credit hours
Work under 20 hours/week	up to Full-Time	at most 15 credit hours

While the table above is a guide, work responsibilities are not the only factors to consider. To assist you in making your decision, take the following questionnaire.

To use the questionnaire below, answer all the questions that apply to your situation. Enter only numbers and no words. Enter decimals for parts of an hour (e.g. 15 minutes = .25 hours, 20 minutes = .33 hours, 30 minutes = .50 hours and 45 minutes = .75 hours). Use the TAB key to move from one question to the next.

When you are finished, click the CALCULATE button. If you wish to start over, click the RESET button.

How many hours does it take to travel one way to Palm Beach State from where you live? 15 minutes = .25 hours, 20 minutes = .33 hours, 30 minutes = .50 hours and 45 minutes = .75 hours
How many times each week do you travel to Palm Beach State from where you live?
How many hours do you sleep on an average each day?
How many hours do you work on an average each week?
How many hours does it take to drive to work? 15 minutes = .25 hours, 20 minutes = .33 hours, 30 minutes = .50 hours and 45 minutes = .75 hours
How many days do you drive to work each week?
How many credits are you planning on taking this term?
How many weeks are there in this term? (8, 12 or 16)
On the average, how many hours each day do you watch television or participate in other entertainment or recreational activities?
How many hours each day do you spend at school in activities other than in class or studying like clubs, talking to friends, relaxing time between classes or other activities?
On the average, how many hours each day do you spend in the preparation and eating of all of your meals?
On the average, how many hours do you spend each day on personal grooming and other personal activities?
On the average, how many hours (not covered above) do you spend each day on family activities?

We offer those of you who are potential online students, two tests to assist you in determining whether you are a person who will be successful taking an online class. This test dealt with who you are as a person. The other one: Do I have the technical skills and knowledge to learn online? deals with the technical skills and knowledge needed for the online student. If you are a potential online student and have not taken the other quiz, we recommend that you link there next. We recommend that after you have taken each test you print the results and take them to your Palm Beach State academic advisor.

Visit our academic advising web site for more information.

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Still have questions? Send us an email: learn@pbcc.edu

Palm Beach State College is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution.
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Palm Beach State College is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award associate and baccalaureate degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Palm Beach State College.