How much time should you be spending for each class this semester? Let's
do a simple calculation. We'll make a couple of assumptions: you are taking
a normal 15 hour load (4-5 courses), that you are actually in class about
20 hours per week, and that you are in college as a full time "job"
so that you can get out into the "real world" and get a real job
later (unless, of course, you go on to graduate school and delay your introduction
to the "external milieu" for a few years).
So... in the working world, 40 hour work weeks are the minimum... in
most jobs 50-70 hour weeks are not uncommon, but we'll use 40 hours. In
other words the job you are in right now (college) requires that you put
in 40 hours a week. Your "pay" will be the grades you obtain.
Now: 40 hours/week - 20 (total hours in class/week) = 20 extra hours
20 hours / 4 (# of courses) = 5 hours per course per week
5 / 5 (days/week) = ~1 hr per day per course
Conclusion: To fulfill your "job requirements", you'll need
to spend at least one hour per day (not counting class time) on each course
you are taking. Surprised? Are you willing to put in the time? Your "take
home salary" will be a direct reflection of the time you put in...as
with most jobs today, the 40 hours keeps you even (an average performance
which usually translates to a C; for superior performance that is likely
to get you an advancement, more hours are generally required!).
Thus, if you go to all your classes and put in an hour outside of class
for every hour you spend in class, you might expect a grade of "C"
in each class. For higher grades, you will need to put in more time (and
of course time is used as a measure of effort -- if you study for an hour
while watching TV and chatting with friends, then that is really not a quality
hour of studying!)