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Time Needed for a Desired Grade

Calculate available hours

• See this worksheet to determine how much time you actually need.

How much time do you really have?

• Add up the total hours per day that you:
  • Sleep (8 hours?)
  • Eat (1 hour total for all meals?)
  • Clean/Laundry (1/2 hour ?)
  • Hygiene/shower (1 hour?)
  • Shopping (1/2 hour?)
  • Drive time
• Let's say that totals 12 hours per day for the above.
• 12 hours per day x 7 days a week = 84 hours.
• Now, add to 84 the number of hours you work.
  • Let's say 30 hours.
  • 84 + 30 = 114.
• The total hours you need for your life: 114 hours.
• There are 168 hours in a week minus.
• 168-114 = 54 hours for education.

Calculate the GPA/Grades you want.

Standard rule: 1 hour work per credit hour per week for each point of GPA.

• Want an A?
  • For a 4.0, you must do 4 x 3 = 12
  • That's 12 hours/week (3 in class and 9 studying or homework/week) for EACH course.
• For a B, 3 hours per credit hour
  • That's 9 hours/week needed (3 in class, 6 outside of class) for EACH course.
• Fine with the C, 2 hours per credit hour
  • That's 6 hours/week (3 in class, 3 outside of class) for EACH course.

How much time you need to get a 4.0 with 15 credit hours

• 12 hours per week x 5 classes = 60 hours per week.
• That's 15 hours in a classroom and 45 hours studying.
• If you cannot, or won't, do that, don't expect As throughout college.

We can work the math in reverse

• Example: You only have 25 hours per week to put toward being in classes and study-time.
• You want all As.
• Every A in a 3 credit course will take 12 hours per week. (3 in class, 9 outside of class)
• 2 courses x 12 hours = 24.
• Don't take more than 2 courses and expect A grades.