Kids who take full load all year--including summers?? Doable?

[popmom]

Here's the situation. DD1 is in Graphic Design in the College of Architecture at Auburn.  I won't go in to all the details of why... But it's very likely that she will have to take a full load this summer. I'm really worried about her. It's a very competitive program, and she's been pretty stressed at times this year. She's also caught every illness within a 10 mile radius AND had a kidney stone. The joys of being a freshman. She has worked hard and has a 3.5 gpa. I really wish she could take the summer off.

 

She was upset about it at first, but now she is fine with it. I'm the one worrying. She only has a week and a half break in May before summer classes start. She'll only have a few days of a break between summer and fall semester because of rush. Rush is always exhausting. 

 

There is an alternative. She could take summer off, take fall off or just take a couple of classes, then apply to enter the graphic design program for next spring. She doesn't want to do this, and I understand why. It puts her behind, and she wants to stay with the group of kids she's taking classes with currently. I just don't want to see her run herself ragged and have her grades suffer or her health. 

 

I overthink everything. She'll probably be fine, and this time next year i'll hopefully feel stupid for having worried about this.

 

Somebody please tell me this is a non issue and kids do this all the time. 

[Mrs.W]

I wish I could tell you it's all going to be fine, but we're in pretty much the same boat, so I'm eager for you to get some encouraging responses.  :bigear:

My DD is a first year student in a 5-year Bachelor of Architecture program. She never sleeps, has been sick off and on all year on top of dealing with some other health issues, and is just plain worn out. We were fully warned this is what life as an architecture student is like, but it's different once you actually experience it. To fit in 170 credit hours into 5-years she will have to take summer classes, but not a full load like your DD. Our hope is that it will still feel like a break because it won't be studio or other architecture classes and she will be home. I think the home part is the most appealing to her -- she loves school, but is really ready for a break. Will your DD at least get to be at home for the summer?

[elegantlion]

What does "full load" for the summer mean? At my school a full-time summer student is only taking 6 hours, not the normal full time load. 

[regentrude]

What does "full load" for the summer mean? At my school a full-time summer student is only taking 6 hours, not the normal full time load. 

 

But that is the equivalent of the 12 hour full time load in regular semesters! A four credit class that meets for four hours/week in the regular semester would meet for 8 hours/week in the 8 week summer session - same total class time, but compressed into half the weeks. Some profs may assign a tad less homework than during the regular semester, so you might not have to spend 2 hours out of class per hour in class, but it is still a lot of time.

 

OP: Most of our student who take classes over the summer only take one hard course, and possibly a second easy one. So I guess, that would come to the low end of full time equivalent. Many students do this.

Edited March 25, 2017 by regentrude

[elegantlion]

But that is the equivalent of the 12 hour full time load in regular semesters! A four credit class that meets for four hours/week in the regular semester would meet for 8 hours/week in the 8 week summer session - same total class time, but compressed into half the weeks. Some profs may assign a tad less homework than during the regular semester, so you might not have to spend 2 hours out of class per hour in class, but it is still a lot of time.

 

OP: Most of our student who take classes over the summer only take one hard course, and possibly a second easy one. So I guess, that would come to the low end of full time equivalent. Many students do this.

 

I understand that, I've taken summer classes for the last two years. For me, however, there was a difference in the mindset because you're only focused on two classes versus 4-5 classes. So the time management issues are a little easier to sort through. 

[cbollin]

My oldest is very driven to get done with her bachelors degrees in 4 calendar years.  She is a triple major: electrical engineering, computer science, and math.  In order to get that done in 4 calendar years, she takes about 17 or 18 credits each semester. And one semester is overload at 19 credits.  Then, she did summer sessions last year (end of sophomore year).  One 3 credit course in each of the 5 week summer sessions for a total of 6 credits.  This was not considered full time at her college for financial aid purposes.   So I guess there's some variation in definitions.

This summer (after junior year), she will need to take 2 more summer courses.  Again, one per 5 week session.  (also, she did a CLEP exam for her gen ed literature course but that wasn't a course to take.  Just brush up and practice test and then real test.  That seems it will help her have her final spring semester at only 15 credits instead of 18).

 

Is it doable?  She is driven enough that it is doable for her.  She really wants all three majors.  She's not involved in greek life. Instead, her social life is with professional/student academic clubs, and fun social clubs like comic book store game night and other "nerd life" (larp, d&d.. stuff like that).  She jokes saying that she's not Greek, she's geek. and she owns that.   Oh, and she has an off campus internship.

 

Will it be doable for your child?  who knows, right?  My oldest is quite driven and over achieving.  and yes, her freshman year she had some health stuff (nothing needed hospitalization or anything. just mono, and things)

 

Some of her friends had to take summer courses to stay on track because they were "behind" the degree paradigm in calculus, etc. so summer school it was, or plan for 5 years for a program that required 4.  At her college, summer courses are common.  Usually people are taking 1 course per 5 weeks, and may take 2 summer sessions.

[Starr]

It's the same ole thing in life, balance. It's not just the classes. It's how we balance our time and get enough rest.  :grouphug:

[J-rap]

I certainly think it's doable.  One of my dd's attends an inter-city school that offers lots of summer courses plus student housing over the summer months.  Lots of students stay on for the summer, because it's easier for them to get summer jobs in the city than in their own hometowns.  While they're there, they often take a summer class or two, but I don't think it's even possible to take much more than that.  

 

Another dd attended an architectural school in another country.  (Her degree was actually in marketing/advertising/design).  It was a five year program over four years, with summer being just another full-time semester.  (So three full semesters per year.)  She had two weeks off between semesters, and one month at Christmas.  She handled it fine, but didn't need to juggle working at the same time.  (Her student visa wouldn't have allowed her to work anyway.)  She did end up taking a semester off at one point and returning home for a few months, for a family emergency.  It put her behind her classmates by a semester, which at first bummed her out.  In the end, she made a whole new set of friends and it really didn't matter at all.

[luuknam]

I understand that, I've taken summer classes for the last two years. For me, however, there was a difference in the mindset because you're only focused on two classes versus 4-5 classes. So the time management issues are a little easier to sort through. 

 

 

I agree - I've taken 15 hours with straight As in summer once (2 classes in Summer I, 2 in Summer II), and juggling 2 classes at a time is so much easier (and yes, 6 hours was considered FT for summer - the most I've successfully taken in a regular semester is 19 hours, and I actually got a B+ in one of those classes, so that wasn't a straight A semester).

 

Anyhow, if your daughter feels like she can handle it, then I'd let her go for it. You can always re-evaluate fall plans before fall starts. If she's too burned out after summer, an option could be to take only 2-3 gen ed classes in the fall - it would delay graduation, but it would free up some time in a later semester that she could spend on an internship or something.

[popmom]

I wish I could tell you it's all going to be fine, but we're in pretty much the same boat, so I'm eager for you to get some encouraging responses.  :bigear:

My DD is a first year student in a 5-year Bachelor of Architecture program. She never sleeps, has been sick off and on all year on top of dealing with some other health issues, and is just plain worn out. We were fully warned this is what life as an architecture student is like, but it's different once you actually experience it. To fit in 170 credit hours into 5-years she will have to take summer classes, but not a full load like your DD. Our hope is that it will still feel like a break because it won't be studio or other architecture classes and she will be home. I think the home part is the most appealing to her -- she loves school, but is really ready for a break. Will your DD at least get to be at home for the summer?

 

No, Graphic Design is a lock-step program, so these are classes only offered at Auburn. 2 of her classes will be specific to Graphic Design. 

 

 

What does "full load" for the summer mean? At my school a full-time summer student is only taking 6 hours, not the normal full time load. 

 

it's a regular full load. She is only required to take the 2 design courses, but in order to use her scholarship money, she has to take a minimum of 12 hours. So we are shooting for that minimum. Three 4 hour classes. Not mini-mesters. Regular semester schedule. So summer classes end, then rush, and a few days later she's right back at it for fall. 

 

 

 

But that is the equivalent of the 12 hour full time load in regular semesters! A four credit class that meets for four hours/week in the regular semester would meet for 8 hours/week in the 8 week summer session - same total class time, but compressed into half the weeks. Some profs may assign a tad less homework than during the regular semester, so you might not have to spend 2 hours out of class per hour in class, but it is still a lot of time.

 

OP: Most of our student who take classes over the summer only take one hard course, and possibly a second easy one. So I guess, that would come to the low end of full time equivalent. Many students do this.

 

 

Her two design classes will be very demanding (live at the studio kind of classes), but she will take a 4 hour algebra/precal/trig class that should be relatively easy for her.

Edited March 25, 2017 by stephensgirls

[popmom]

At least summer semester is more laid back. She won't have any sorority commitments, no Mariners, no ball games to attend. All that stuff takes up a lot of time during the regular school year. I'm hoping that lack of activity will help her stress level.

 

Ever since she had that kidney stone..I just feel like she's not taking care of herself as it is. I wanted her home this summer so I can mother her. lol  Now I just send nag texts like "have you had enough water today?" 

[Starr]

If she uses her scholarship money now will it short her at the other end? Our dc's didn't include summer term.

[popmom]

If she uses her scholarship money now will it short her at the other end? Our dc's didn't include summer term.

 

She should be able to graduate a semester early, so there wouldn't be an "other end" so to speak. But even if she's left with a semester with a couple of classes after her scholarship runs out, we should be ok. If we have to, we can take out an unsubsidized loan. If I have to take out a loan, I'd rather do it at the end of college, so I'm not accruing interest over three years. 

 

8 hours is almost as expensive as 12, so financially this makes the most sense for us right now. We've got some unavoidable major expenses (not college related) coming up, so paying out of pocket for 8 hours would be difficult for us this year.

[katilac]

My dd is finishing up her first year away as well. She could handle the classes themselves but is really ready to be home for a long stay. 

 

That's coming from her, though. I think your dd is the only one who can judge if she can handle the not coming home part. 

 

The short breaks between semesters don't overly concern me. I mean, lots of hard working people would love to have a week and a half off at the beginning of the summer, and another few days off at the end of the summer, amirite? 

 

I completely understand the wanting her home to mother her part! I am super happy that dd can take her summer classes here, bc I know future summers might be spent at school or abroad or working elsewhere. 

 

Is visiting her at school possible, or is it too far?

[popmom]

My dd is finishing up her first year away as well. She could handle the classes themselves but is really ready to be home for a long stay. 

 

That's coming from her, though. I think your dd is the only one who can judge if she can handle the not coming home part. 

 

The short breaks between semesters don't overly concern me. I mean, lots of hard working people would love to have a week and a half off at the beginning of the summer, and another few days off at the end of the summer, amirite? 

 

I completely understand the wanting her home to mother her part! I am super happy that dd can take her summer classes here, bc I know future summers might be spent at school or abroad or working elsewhere. 

 

Is visiting her at school possible, or is it too far?

 

Auburn is only a couple of hours away. We own the condo she lives in. She has a twin sister who is a student there, too, but she will be coming home for the summer. So--yeah, we can visit any time we want, and it's easy for her to come home for the weekend. 

 

I get what you are saying about the short breaks not being a big deal. She doesn't mind the work. It's her anxiety I'm mostly worried about. Obviously, she gets it from me. :/  Lots of kids her age are working full time all year. I'm trying to believe IT WILL BE OKAY. lol

 

ETA: The anxiety is a real concern. She has a script for zoloft but refuses to take it because it makes her gain weight. She's getting by with an occasional Klonopin when she has a serious anxiety attack. That happens once every 3 or 4 weeks. She'll call me sobbing/meltdown. The stress is real. I think that's probably the biggest difference between being a full time college student and a kid her age working full time. most kids her age working full time have relatively low stress jobs. Because her major is so competitive, the stress gets overwhelming at times. I guess I really need to focus on how we can best deal with that since summer school seems unavoidable at this point. 

Edited March 26, 2017 by stephensgirls

[popmom]

I certainly think it's doable.  One of my dd's attends an inter-city school that offers lots of summer courses plus student housing over the summer months.  Lots of students stay on for the summer, because it's easier for them to get summer jobs in the city than in their own hometowns.  While they're there, they often take a summer class or two, but I don't think it's even possible to take much more than that.  

 

Another dd attended an architectural school in another country.  (Her degree was actually in marketing/advertising/design).  It was a five year program over four years, with summer being just another full-time semester.  (So three full semesters per year.)  She had two weeks off between semesters, and one month at Christmas.  She handled it fine, but didn't need to juggle working at the same time.  (Her student visa wouldn't have allowed her to work anyway.)  She did end up taking a semester off at one point and returning home for a few months, for a family emergency.  It put her behind her classmates by a semester, which at first bummed her out.  In the end, she made a whole new set of friends and it really didn't matter at all.

 

just read this again. That's encouraging!

[luuknam]

ETA: The anxiety is a real concern. She has a script for zoloft but refuses to take it because it makes her gain weight. She's getting by with an occasional Klonopin when she has a serious anxiety attack. That happens once every 3 or 4 weeks. She'll call me sobbing/meltdown.

 

 

Has she tried other SSRIs or BuSpar for anxiety? I'd suggest that she talks to her psychiatrist and tries something else - she might be able to find one that doesn't lead to weight gain for her (I don't think any of the SSRIs led to weight gain for me). Also, CBT can be helpful. I know she's busy, but I would try to make time for this.

[popmom]

Has she tried other SSRIs or BuSpar for anxiety? I'd suggest that she talks to her psychiatrist and tries something else - she might be able to find one that doesn't lead to weight gain for her (I don't think any of the SSRIs led to weight gain for me). Also, CBT can be helpful. I know she's busy, but I would try to make time for this.

 

I agree. I plan to see if there are any therapists in her area that are covered by our insurance. The university offers counseling, too, but they have a waiting list apparently.

[Bootsie]

She should be able to graduate a semester early, so there wouldn't be an "other end" so to speak. But even if she's left with a semester with a couple of classes after her scholarship runs out, we should be ok. If we have to, we can take out an unsubsidized loan. If I have to take out a loan, I'd rather do it at the end of college, so I'm not accruing interest over three years. 

 

8 hours is almost as expensive as 12, so financially this makes the most sense for us right now. We've got some unavoidable major expenses (not college related) coming up, so paying out of pocket for 8 hours would be difficult for us this year.

Is she taking this full summer load so that she can graduate a semester early?  Have you double checked to make sure that scholarships will apply to summer school?  I have seen many cases in which they do not.

 

I have seens some students who have found it less stressful to be taken classes in summer school because they have fewer competing things to think about at one time.  You mention that the "easy" class will be a math class.  If she has proficiency beyond the math course material, she may be fine with the math.  However, math classes often have required homework, and even if you know the material, the homework is time consuming.  Many students find that the math homework becomes time consuming in a summer course.

[G5052]

It really depends on the student.

 

I did two summer sessions as an undergraduate and a readings class over the summer in graduate school.

 

The first time I took two basic economics courses and two P.E.'s that I needed to get out of the way, and it was fine. They weren't hard classes for me. I was a resident student and not working, so I cranked them out with A's.

 

Then one summer I took an technical writing class that I really didn't have room for during the school year. I was working full-time, but writing has always been a strength. It was self-paced where I mailed the work in, so no class sessions. It was easy for me.

 

Later in graduate school, I needed a readings class, and the professor I wanted to do it with was teaching two lower-level summer undergraduate classes and was available more than he was during the regular school year. I was working full-time. So I decided to do it then to get it done then. That was actually one of my very favorite classes in graduate school.

 

My feeling is that my oldest needs summers off though. He works part-time during the school year and has been offered more hours there in the summer, but it will be just about 15-20 hours a week. He's had a rough first two years of college in terms of things going on outside of school (he lives at home) and is looking forward to just working and going to the gym. 

 

As a professor, I actually enjoy teaching summer school. When I taught face-to-face summer computer literacy classes, my summer classes were mostly teachers and working adults returning to school who were trying to pack in the credits. Those were good classes because they were motivated. I currently teach 8-week sessions online in web development and multimedia, so rolling over to an 8-week summer session isn't a big deal. This semester I had two Web Design I and two Multimedia classes, but in the summer I will have just one Multimedia, assuming I get the students. That's a good summer load for me, and I'll be done in mid-July. My college schedule doesn't start again until mid-September.

 

So summer school can be a good thing.

[popmom]

Is she taking this full summer load so that she can graduate a semester early?  Have you double checked to make sure that scholarships will apply to summer school?  I have seen many cases in which they do not.

 

I have seens some students who have found it less stressful to be taken classes in summer school because they have fewer competing things to think about at one time.  You mention that the "easy" class will be a math class.  If she has proficiency beyond the math course material, she may be fine with the math.  However, math classes often have required homework, and even if you know the material, the homework is time consuming.  Many students find that the math homework becomes time consuming in a summer course.

 

She isn't doing it to graduate earlier. Graphic design has over 60 freshmen in this class. They only take the top 15 (based on gpa) to start the sophomore year program in the fall. Those who are in the second 15 may apply to start summer. The rest..well, they are pretty much cut from the program. She has a 3.5 gpa. Her adviser told her it's a very competitive gpa in any other program, but graphic design is super competitive. He said it's more competitive this year than it has been the past several years because 4 students have 4.0s. So she has to go summer or wait and apply for the next spring semester. 

 

Yes, the math class is a lot of homework. We will have to weigh that. Her twin took the same class last fall and aced it. They are strong in algebra and pre cal. Whatever the class is, it needs to be low stress. 

 

I just spent a couple of days in Auburn. She was able to get an appointment with a counselor, and she agreed to take the zoloft again. I am trying to get across to her that her mental health has to be a priority.

Edited March 30, 2017 by stephensgirls