What Does a Typical College Freshman Class Schedule Look Like?
Not every freshman year schedule looks the same, but many look similar.
Every college and major will look slightly different, but most four-year college programs include similar types of classes and required credit hours during freshman year.
So what will your schedule look like? Below are these details about your first year schedule:
Number of credit hours
Homework load of classes
Class times
Types of classes
Number of Credit Hours
Most students who live in the dorms have a minimum credit requirement. (At the university where I teach, dorm students must take a minimum of 12-credit hours.)
Most colleges also require first-year college students to live on campus. Why?
The University of Oregon points to studies that connect living on campus with higher GPAs, continuing a college degree, and finishing their college degree faster.
Texas Tech University points to living on campus as helping students better reach their academic goals.
So how many credits is typical of a full-load freshman year?
This varies some, but students typically take anywhere from 12-18 credit hours. During your first semester, it’s best to err on lightening your load too much than overburdening yourself at the start.
What is a credit hour?
In my post “How Many Credits Should a College Freshman Take?,” I explain a credit hour.
“In college, you receive 1 credit for every 1 hour you spend in class during a typical week. So if you take a 3 credit class, that would mean you spend 3 hours in class each week.
A credit hour is literally credit you receive for each hour of class time. Each college class will typically range from 1 to 3 credit hours . . . This doesn’t include labs or other course requirements.”
How many credits should I take my freshman year?
Honestly, it depends, but aiming for somewhere between 12-14 is probably best. For more on this, please read this post.
Homework Load of Classes
The Department of Education established that one credit hour equals one hour of in-class instruction plus two hours of student work per week.
What does time “outside of class” mean?
Measuring how much time it takes for every kind of student to complete two hours of work is difficult.
Some students need more time than others to complete different kinds of assignments.
Not all 1-credit or 3-credit classes will require the same amount of work for you, but in general 3-credit classes are more strenuous than 2-credit (or 1-credit) classes.
How much time should I plan on spending for each class?
Your freshman year will likely be filled with a few 3-credit classes and more 1-credit and 2-credit classes.
You should be prepared for spending at least 3 hours every week for every 1-credit (one hour in class and two hours out of class), but you may need to dedicate more or less time.
Class times
You’re going to hear it over and over: “Don’t take early morning classes...EVER.”
Unfortunately you may not have any choice but to take 8 a.m. or 9 a.m. classes, especially if most students register for classes before you. (Talk to your academic advisor to figure out when you can register for classes.)
Why do freshmen often have to take morning classes?
Your freshman year classes will be in large lecture halls with hundreds of other freshmen. As a result, your classes will likely only be available at a few set times (due to room availability, professor availability, etc.)—aka mostly morning hours or possibly late afternoon/evening hours.
Are morning classes really that bad in college?
Having early classes isn’t that bad though. Though waking up early may be rough for those who aren’t morning people, morning classes help you get going and get things done. They keep you from wasting valuable time in your day.
If you aren’t a morning person and really struggle to wake up before noon, consider giving yourself some days to sleep in.
For example, take a MWF class at 8 a.m. but on TTh give yourself an extra hour or two to sleep in. This can help you recover from getting less sleep and catch up on homework when needed.
Types of Classes
Your freshman year is typically filled with introductory courses specific to your major and general electives. Sometimes you can test out of general electives by taking placement tests, transfer in AP credits, or get credit for dual-credit classes you completed in high school.
What kind of general electives do you have to take?
Most four-year colleges require freshmen to take basic courses in most of these subject areas:
Math
Science/computer-science
English/writing
Speech
Psychology
Language
Which general electives are required your first year will vary. Required general electives may vary based on the type of college, your major, and class availability.
What kind of introductory classes will I have to take?
The answer to this question depends entirely on your field of study.
For example, if you are studying in a science field (e.g. nursing), you will likely need to take some basic science courses like General Biology or Human Anatomy.
As another example, if you are studying in the financial field (e.g. accounting), you will likely need to take an introductory statistics class or an excel certification class.
To check which classes you will be required to take, check your college’s course catalog or talk to your academic advisor (who may not be assigned until freshman orientation occurs).
Figuring out your schedule isn’t something you need to feel in a rush to do.
Most first-year students finalize many of these details during freshman orientation, but you can also adjust and finalize details during the very beginning of the semester (during move-in day or the days leading up to classes starting).
Here are some other posts to help you as you prepare for the start of college:
Have other questions about your first-year schedule? Leave a comment below.
