Hi,
I will be starting my first term soon online with SHNU, first time. Starting off 1 course for 8 weeks to get familiar with their system and see how it goes then planning to do 2 courses through the terms. I am hoping to finish in 3 years. I work full time 40 hrs per week with two kids and married.
The school website says it takes most students 15-16 hrs per week for one course of studying. Once I take two courses (full time student online), is it doable?
How long does it usually take do the assignments when login in the Brightspace for you guys? Is it reading material/ watching video in the module then you take a quiz afterwards?
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I just started taking two classes per term. I work full time with a long commute. I also have kids and a boyfriend although the kids are in high school. I go into the office early and do some of my schoolwork there before anyone gets in the office and then I take my lunch break to work on it some more. Typically I use those times to get through the reading and discussions posts and then I use a block of time over the weekend to knock out any assignments. I think it all depends on how you choose to use your time. I still have time for everyone, I’m just not spending hours on social media or watching tv. I use that time for schoolwork.
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As an English Language & Lit major, minoring in Creative Writing, it varies. In the beginning (almost to third year), I could spend maybe 10 hours a week for two classes with I think one quiz for the entirety. This term, I am spending 20-30 hours for two classes and have a quiz every week for one of the classes. Very reading and writing intensive. SEVERAL big projects research heavy. Several multimedia presentations.
It really depends on the major. I have, no lie, I believe 7 books to read this term, in addition to textbook readings.
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Congrats on starting! Assuming you’re taking the standard path, don’t base your decision on how much time a class takes based on the SNHU107 that everyone starts with. It’s good for learning how to navigate the system and how a standard class flows, but the workload in a normal class will be different and will vary by subject.
Your ability to manage 2+ classes at a time will be determined by how well you manage your time and how efficiently you work. It’s likely doable, but you’ll be the one to decide if the tradeoffs of reduced ‘free time’ for family/friends time are worth it. Definitely take the time to look at your course plan and ask your advisor to avoid registering for 2 heavy-lifting classes in one term.
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Which classes are you taking this term?
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I’m taking Literary Theory this term too!
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Congratulations on starting! I’m doing 3 courses this term and 4 next term. I’m majoring in Cybersecurity. This is possible if you speak to your counselor and they trust that you can handle it based on past performance. For reference I work 1 full time job and 1 part time. No kids. Everyone learns differently, so try things out and learn what’s best for you! Use the academic support as much as you need to because it is very helpful!
As far as the assignments go, it just depends on the instructor. So far in my courses, every class has a different module every week that can consist of 1-3 chapters of the text. You may have at least 4 discussions per term. Each module may have an assignment to go along with the reading and each course may have 1-2 projects due per term. So far everything’s been great and Brightspace is very clear and user friendly. Good luck!
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Wow 
Thank you. Are we able to do the next module in advance once completed the previous module. Or we can only do that week of?
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I’m in the data analytics MS program work full time and take two classes per term.
It’s stressful, that number is probably pretty accurate for me. Honestly I spend very limited time during the week and 90% of that time is all on the weekends. I do the discussion posts Thursday and Friday and Saturday and Sunday are dedicated to the projects and writing.
Is it doable, yes (probably) will it be a fairly stressful time also yes (probably). The closer I’ve gotten to the end of the term the projects get more indepth and mounting. All in all I feel like the terms are fairly balanced my discussion post requirements tend to fall off later in the terms as the other requirements increase. It’s not unmanageable but I am really excited to be over halfway through this term with only one more to go.
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I feel like this will depend a lot on what your program is and where you’re starting in the curriculum. Gen eds and intro courses should be attainable in less than the 10-15 hours a lot of folks are saying if you’re not new to studying and online learning. Brightspace is, luckily, quite intuitive so the learning curve isn’t so rough there. Courses that require a little more research for weekly assignments and memorization, like hard sciences, will take longer and it will be very difficult to balance school and family.
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Start with 1, then try for 2 courses. I work full time, have two young kids and a wife that works and have managed 2 classes for the last two years. Your weekends are pretty much shot since you’ll find yourself writing papers. Good luck!
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When are those writing paper due? End of term week 8? Or that Sunday? Thank you.
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Each week has assignments due. Generally discussion posts are due Wednesday/Thursday and two responses due Sunday. Depending on the class you could have a 1-2 page paper due on Sunday or a Milestone which could be as long as 10 pages. I’m a Business major so some courses require quite a bit of writing/research. Others are a cakewalk.
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