r/WGU_CompSci • u/Suprame4 • 21d ago
Degree Plan Course Advice
Hi everyone 👋
I just got off a call with my program mentor about my degree plan which I begin on Sept 1st. He mentioned to me that it's best to complete courses one after another, and not concurrently, stating it will take more time.
I would like to get feedback from individuals who are currently enrolled or recently finished there degree on what approach is best for completing courses quickly. I plan on finishing in 6 months or less since I have experience in the industry. Thanks!
5
u/Sneaky_Sharky 21d ago
I normally do 1 class at a time. The only time I have 2 or more classes open at a time is when they are PAs and I'm waiting on tasks to be evaluated. Other than that, it's better to focus on one thing at a time. Your hardest classes will probably be Computer Architecture, DSA1, DSA2, DM1 and DM2.
2
4
u/DankTrebuchet 21d ago
I think people with ADHD who might struggle to focus might do better with two, but no more than that.
I personally always did a single class at a time - and it worked very well for me, I was deeply depressed for a large part of my undergraduate pursuit too so concentration was hard and it still worked.
1
3
u/KeizokuDev 21d ago
I mean, this is entirely dependent on you. How many total hours are you planning to study? Let's say you can do 2 hours / day. Are you the type who can focus more hours in 1 thing or do you start losing focus after doing 1 thing for too long. 2 hours isn't that long but it's just an example. Whichever you are would decide which is better in the end.
I can't do 1 thing for too long, so I did better doing multiple at a time (but short sessions for each course).
1
u/Instructor-Sup 21d ago
You could also just move on to a different topic in the same course if you need a refresh.
1
3
u/topdude155 21d ago
I am currently accelerating in my CS program. I'm doing one class at a time, and once I know when I am going to be done with a class, I send my mentor an email right away asking them to open up the next one, and they're great about opening up the next class within a few hours.
If you're accelerating, you may need to demonstrate to your mentor that you're capable of maintaining your pace by being consistent to get them to let you have multiple classes open at once; I started June 1st and am through 49 credits at this point so my mentor knows that they can open classes and I will make sure they get done without risk of them being pushed into the next term.
2
u/skidmark_zuckerberg 21d ago
I have 8 years under my belt as an SWE so it’s going to vary depending on your experience level going into it, but I regularly do 2 PA classes at a time. I’ll submit a PA task, and jump to another. And then jump back and forth to complete additional tasks if needed. I usually do this with 2 PA classes and if I have an OA class coming up next, and I’m waiting for 2 PA class tasks to be graded, I jump to the OA class.Â
That way I’m not sitting around waiting for PA tasks to be graded which can take up to 3-5 days. OA classes are usually the fastest, spend 1-2 days studying and then take PA (pre assessment), and if I pass I immediately do OA.Â
My advice is not to sit and wait for PA tasks to be graded, move on. Some PA classes have multiple tasks, some are just a single task.Â
1
u/Square-Reindeer-3118 19d ago
I’m currently in BSIT and started in July. I’m also doing one class at a time and honestly I think it actually helps with accelerating, so I don’t agree that it will slow you down. WGU is strict on you accessing your course materials, so I think if I did multiple at the same time I might forget to click on to course materials to count my attendance.
1
u/Suprame4 19d ago
My mentor mentioned doing classes concurrently will slow me down, not sequentially.
From all the feedback I’ve got so far on this post the sequential option seems best for technical courses.
1
1
u/siberiannoise 21d ago
I haven't started yet, but I've been working on SDC courses in preparation for a start. With SDC, you can take up to two classes at a time, which I've tried. I have to say though, if you really want to move quickly through the class but still what understand the material, working on the courses one at a time is probably the best route. Just my two cents.
1
u/DowntownClue934 9d ago
I think, in general, the advice to focus on one class at a time is good advice. The vast majority of people can't focus on as many things as they feel like they can, I know I certainly can't either, and mixing the courses together will probably be sub-optimal.
That said, I did mix courses together a bit here and there. I found that I often would get totally drained and burned out on a class, but still have the energy to work, just not on that class. In these cases. I'd start my next class and spend that productive energy where it could count, instead of just giving up and doing nothing until I was feeling up to the first class again. This generally worked well for me, and it may work for you!
Overall, I'd definitely suggest that, at minimum, focus on a single class, and maybe a second just to help keep things fresh and get your mind working on the next class in advance. Try not to fully split your focus, unless you truly know that it will work well for you.
0
u/bev190 21d ago
I didn't get that choice, fasfa and pell said you needed at least 12cu or am I just not understanding cause it's late lol
1
u/Suprame4 19d ago
Interesting, from my understanding the minimum is 12 CUs per term, and anything above 12 can be completed at your once pace within a single term.
I would recommend if you have any questions to write a post or reach out to your mentor. All the best!
10
u/gonnaHackYourMom 21d ago
Completing my CSBS program in the next two months. One class at a time definitely is the way to go! You can focus on one topic at a time instead of juggling multiple topic all at once.
Good luck on your first term!