Should I Take These Classes at the Same Time?

I'm going back to college in the fall, and I've signed up for Radio Production I and Television Production I. Does anyone have experience in classes like these? Would I be better off doing Television Prod I and II this fall and spring, and then Radio Prod I and II next fall and spring? I don't want to overburden myself, but seeing how they are being offered, I'm eager to take them. Thanks for any input.

Only you can say how many courses you can take at a time but it sounds like you are excited to be taking these and that sounds good to me. I don't think they will "conflict" as one is sound and one visual so you should not get confused.

Yes, I have experience in those 2 classes. The technology is different, and with tv you integrate images into your script, but writing and speaking principles are similar. The trick is what is the standard course load vs the credits for these classes and what you can handle.

Thanks! I hope I hear from the professor I contacted tomorrow (Monday). It will help me to know which is the better route to go--both at once, or one at a time? And yes, I'm excited about going, although I know once it's time to go to classes, I'm going to be frustrated, worried, tired and won't have much time for anything else. But if it leads to a better life, it's worth it.

I think contacting the prof is an excellent choice, especially if they are teaching the same course. You may also choose to talk to the department offering the course. They may have a common tract for students.

Well, the professor didn't reply today. Darn! I waited all weekend, figuring he was one of those profs who don't check email on the weekends, so I was sure I'd hear from him Monday, but no!

I'm already doing crazy stuff again, wondering if I'm taking the right classes for me. I'd love to learn computer programming (and I'm ordering a book to help me try), and I really wanted to go to another college and take their computer gaming courses, but I'm signed up now at this college...I just can't decide what will make me happiest!

What kind of coding are you thinking of doing? A lot of people say it's best to teach yourself that rather than classes.

First, let me announce how excited I am! I saw a class I'd like to take (it's an online class) for Web Graphics and Animation, but it said you had to take Art With Computers or Intro to Computers (or whatever the class is called), or get permission from the professor. I emailed the professor, explaining I already know how to use a computer and an online course in web graphics would work great for me, and he gave me permission to sign up! I have to drive to the college to register in person, since the online registration tells me I haven't taken the prerequisites, but I'm okay with that. I'll probably pop into the bookstore up there and get my favorite Funky Monkey drink (it's chocolate and banana)!

Now, H3rmit, back to your question. I just ordered a book on C++ for beginners. I'm a little nervous about it, because I know it can be hard to learn, but since I'm not doing the computer games classes, I thought I'd try to learn a language that is often used in creating games. Java is another popular one, but I decided to go for the one used most (according to my reading). My boyfriend knows and works with C++, so I have an advantage in that he might be able to help me.

I think learning on my own (computer stuff in general) is easier, less pressure and no one hanging over your shoulder, watching, but I've heard some companies won't hire you if you don't have a degree. Still, I figure I'm going to see what I can do. If I do get good at it--really good--I can't see why a company would pass up hiring me, just because I don't have a piece of paper. And if they do, maybe I'll start my own company (oh, I'm going to need more classes for that! ) and be a rich CEO!

I've also ordered a book specifically on game coding. It gets good ratings on Amazon, so I figured I'd get it. It's got a lot of chapters, so it's going to be heavy reading, but I'm going to try!

I hope it goes well for you.

Thanks! I got a response from the professor I contacted, and instead of answering my question, he asked me a question! He wanted to know how many classes I'm taking (I'm guessing he'll judge whether TV Prod and Radio Prod are too much coursework if I'm taking a full course load)! I emailed him back, but will have to wait until later tonight for a response, since it's exactly 3:00 a.m. For now, I have six courses (18 credits). I'll drop one class, but I'm waiting to hear from the professor before deciding what's best to drop.

Maven, I don't know if the book has a CD with a C++ compiler on it, if not here are some links for you:

Free C / C++ Compilers and Interpreters (thefreecountry.com)
Free C++ Compiler | Products
Bloodshed Software - Dev-C++

Thanks, Onward! It doesn't mention any CD, so I appreciate the links.

I got a response from the professor today, and he says it shouldn't be a problem to take TV and Radio Prod at the same time. In fact, he said it can be beneficial. I'm a little disappointed, though, because I didn't want to drop my history class (which was online). I had to drop something, and I guess I'll be taking Radio and TV Prod at the same time, then. The weird thing is, I hated history when I was a kid and in high school! I am not a history buff, but I've gotten more interested in it (but not much more) as I've gotten older. I was hoping to re-learn stuff I could use in my writing. I guess it'll have to wait until next semester.

Just an update: I dropped Radio Production I a couple of days ago. It will probably be too hard to do that with four other classes as well. Except...I signed back up with it today. I don't know what to do, but my logical side is saying drop it, and my eager-to-learn side is saying take it. If I can do five courses each semester, I can do more faster. But I'm not sure it's realistic for me. I posted on the college's FB page to ask if any students could advise me, but I don't expect to hear anything. I don't think that many students check the FB page. I also wonder if, if I drop it, would I be able to handle a second online course instead? Aaarrrgghhh!!!

I think it depends on what the other courses are; if they are math/science/heavy duty type stuff that requires a lot of homework and are not based on any knowledge you may have (like history or English comp courses, you could "wing" those in a pinch if you have adequate background) but taking too many labor-intensive courses at once will just get you frustrated and burnt out when you need to take a bit of a break but can't find room to do so? You can write a history or English paper over time but you can't do a "problem" over time.

Well, I dropped Radio Production I (again, for now). My other classes are Television Production I, Magazine Writing, Acting I, and Web Graphics and Animation (online). I haven't acted in a long time, so I'm worried about being able to learn my lines like I used to be able to, so I'm looking at that as a course where I want extra time to learn my lines. I think I'll handle Magazine Writing just fine. Television Production I looks rather intense (I looked through the book the class uses), which is why I question taking Radio Production I as well. And Web Graphics and Animation might be a bit difficult for me.

I'm hoping to get my butt in gear and study the Basic Math and Pre-Algebra for Dummies books I got this summer and be able to handle an Algebra class in spring or next fall, since I have to take mathematics at some point. I want to take the Placement Test again to see if I can pass the math portion then, so I won't have to take basic math classes I took over twenty years ago.

This is my suggestion for whatever it's worth. You obviously have many, many interests and enjoy learning a lot, but classes cost money, take up tremendous amounts of time, and need to "pay off" at some point.

For now, think with the logical, practical mind and take things that will "pay off". That will easily lend itself to a career and allow you to earn money. You can look up careers to your heart's content by looking up the Department of Labor's Occupational Outlook Handbook online. It basically breaks down pretty much any career you might be interested in by what education and classes you'll need to take, what types of employers hire for that job, how much you're likely to make the first few years, and whether demand for that job is increasing or decreasing. Pick one, maybe two you want to pursue right now. The more you pursue the longer it will take for things to pay off. Work hard and diligently on them until you're done. Don't change your mind because that means starting back on first base.

There will always be time to pursue other interests and gain more knowledge, and using some of your education to make money sooner will give you the resources to pursue other avenues so you can be a lifelong learner.

Thanks for the link, Maranara! I bookmarked it. I'm taking a magazine writing course, because it'll improve my skills and I could use it right away, without a degree. TV Production sounds complicated but fun; I would like to learn how to be a producer. Same with Radio Production, but I unregistered that for now. Taking five classes would be beneficial, because I'd get through with college sooner, but I think I'll have a hard time managing that many classes. So, it's four, for now.

I must be nuts. I signed up for an online course, Creative Writing I. I don't know if I'll choose to keep it, but I was in the bookstore yesterday and got to thinking how much I'd like to write professionally (but I also want to be a great artist, too). Why can't I make firm decisions? Ah, well, we'll see what happens. Five classes might be too much.