Is Full-Time Too Much? How to Determine Your Capacity for College
There are times in life when attending college full-time seems like an easy decision to make. Like right after high school or when you have the GI Bill®️ and minimal additional distractions. For most adults, attending college part-time feels like a more manageable option. But how do you determine your capacity for college? Here are some things to consider.
What's the Difference?
The difference between part-time and full-time is how many credits you take. The cut-off is 12 credits; a part-time student is less than 12 credits a semester. There are pros and cons to each of these, from an educational standpoint and many more personal.
A student who chooses part-time has more flexibility in scheduling classes and allows more time to work and pay your tuition as you go. Full-time course loads will let you finish your degree faster, may qualify your family for tax breaks and open more opportunities for scholarships.
The best part may be that you can do both. One semester you may have the time to take a full course load, but the next one, you can't. You can mix and match as your situation changes – both inside the classroom and out. It's a personal decision and therefore whatever you decide is right.
Questions to Ask When Deciding
What are your priorities?
First, consider your priorities in life. Do you have small children that you are caring for during this season? What about work, volunteer obligations or other things that take up your time? Are you ready to put them aside for full-time courses? Most of the time, it's advised that you spend two to three hours per credit studying. So that brings a 12-credit course load into 24 to 36 hours of studying.
How much time do you have?
Now that you know how much time should be spent on class work and studying, how much time do you have in the other areas of your life? If you're already working a 40-hour week, can you add another 24-36 hours of school? What about spending time with your family or volunteering? Consider what your days and nights will look like with all your obligations before deciding. And make sure you factor in sleep!
How much time do you want to spend on school?
Going to college is a choice, so also consider what you want to do. If you have just a few semesters left, maybe it's worth buckling down and getting it done quickly. If you have years left, you may do a combination of both. Remembering that you can adjust from semester to semester is helpful when other things come up in your life.
Are there other things to consider?
All of the above are great things to consider when deciding. Here's one more thing to consider, does the school you're looking at support veteran and military-affiliated students? Programs and professors that understand military life and the obstacles that come with leaving it behind can make a world of difference when teaching, assigning projects and talking to students. Consider colleges that support veteran and military students; you may find it easier to decide between part-time and full-time.
Learn more about GI Bill® benefits and other resources available to veterans and military-connected students.