How much should I study?

I often have students who are unsure of how much time they should really invest to complete the work they are given in their college classes.  This isn’t surprising – if this is your first time in college, you have no way to judge the amount of work you will be asked to do or how much time it may take.  And even if it isn’t, new professors and more difficult classes can throw you a curveball.
Here’s the basic rule of thumb: plan to spend at least one hour studying out of class for each hour you are in class. 
You can break this down in two ways: for your classes that are worth 3 units (units equate to hours spent in class) , you should expect 3 hours of homework a week.  Or, let’s say you are taking 16 credits this semester.  You should then expect 16 hours worth of homework each week.
Of course, determining how much time to study for classes isn’t an exact science.  Some classes are easier than others and require less work.  Some classes or professors will make you want to work harder than others.  And some students simply have schedules that only allow them a limited amount of time to study, no matter what they “should” do. 
But knowing what to expect can help you to better manage your time and plan your schedule.  If you are taking a heavy load and you have to work, you can easily see that your 18 hours/week in class + 18 hours/week of homework + 15 hours/week of on the job time = 51 hours/week of work.  That amount of work will certainly wear you out quickly, and you might find yourself reconsidering your work or school schedule. 
If you’re lucky enough not to need to work while in school, you can use this formula to plan a study schedule that allows you some flexibility.  Say you spend 15 hours/week in class and have 15 hours/week of homework.  You now have a 30 hour/week schedule.  Treat it like a job, and you just might find that your evenings and weekends are, for the most part, open. 
Use this formula to empower yourself to make smart decisions.  If you have too much on your plate, don’t be afraid to admit it to yourself.  You can push back a class or two without delaying graduation.  If you have a relatively flexible schedule, use this formula to stay on top of your work.  You may even find that you have time to get ahead!