Which Option do you Recommend?

[lila...]

I have to take a course that counts towards my degree either this winter term or in the summer. If I take it during this term, I have the following two options:

 

1) Saturday 9:00 AM- 12:00 PM; 17 Jan-18 Apr

 

2) Saturday 9:45 AM- 4:00 PM; 17 Jan- 28 Feb

 

As you can see, option 1 goes on for four months and is 3 hours in one day, while option 2 goes on for only one month but it's 7 hours in one day. I like option 2 because I'd get it over with quick, but 7 hours?! I don't know if I can take that. Also, which would be better in terms of learning and mastering the material...cramming more information in a shorter period of time or spreading it out during a longer period of time?

[laisla]

i'd pick option 2. it's only a few hours more (you'll still get breaks) but it's THREE months less. you could do so much more in 3 months, then you could do with just an extra 4 hours.

[jengh]

I would for sure cram it all into one month!

[Jeremiah Johnson]

Option 1. Patience and pace is good.

[alli]

The longer time span will definitely result in you retaining more material than cramming it all at once. So I guess it depends on how important it is that you retain the info.

 

Also, do you work? If you do the 7 hour per day option, you could think of it as a "job", as most jobs are at least 8 hours per day. But if you will work in addition to the class, that would be a very exhausting month.

 

If it was a class I was interested in learning I would go with the 4 month course. If I wanted to get it out of the way because it was a necessary class for my degree that I didn't care for, I might do the 1 month course.

[ResonanceTheory]

depends on the type of class, the material being learned, and your interest level.

 

if you're uninterested, I'd get it over with ASAP. Also, if what they're teaching you is easily learned, take the one month class.

[dragon lady]

I would do option 2. I generally take 5 week long summer classes because I get bored very easily and I'd prefer to get it all over in a short amount of time than to drag it on for an entire semester. I also tend to get better grades this way.

 

Of course, if you feel like you will burn out very quickly then take option 1.

[karvala]

I think you should skip both of them and instead take a math class to help you figure out that the first is only three months long, and not four.

[alli]

I think you should skip both of them and instead take a math class to help you figure out that the first is only three months long, and not four.

 

Oh burn! Good catch, I hadn't even noticed.

[Sn0man]

I'd suggest option 1 initially, because even just one 3 hour class will generate a ton of homework. But if you're only taking that one course, then option 2 is the way to go - get it over and done with. If you are taking other courses as well, then option 2 will probably be too much of a workload.

 

Also, the shorter classes spread out over a longer period will result in a better understanding of the material.

[blue_dahlia]

Approximately 12 interrupted Saturdays? No thanks.

[PrincessJOA]

Depends what other commitments you need to attend to and what are your plans after that. You have your whole life to do stuff so I guess take it easy, you'll get there eventually. So I would probably chose option 1. Enjoy what you do, and do it with excellence.

[Blue Streak]

It really comes down to the type of person your are. What's best for others is not necessarily best for you. Life is not a rush. The reality is you are going to spend the same amount of time in the classroom whether you choose choice A or B. Pick the choice that will allow you to excel in the class and in your life most effectively.