how many credits for a first semester freshman?

That is a lot in fall semester for a freshman in many houses

I took 12 credits first semester, some really motivated people take 15, definitely do not take 18

I’d take 12-15, the transition to college is hard (even if your classes are easy and you’re a good student), so personally I think it’s better to have a little more time built into your schedule.

I took 18 and it was a mistake because I'm having work so hard this semester to get off academic probation. Seriously spending the whole week studying at home. I should end up doing really well this semester but it's been very stressful :(

I took 13 first semester and 15 every semester since then (2nd semester senior). I’m in business and there’s a 1 credit class we have to take first semester so I was still in 5 classes. It was nice not having that much to do first semester freshman year. Do what you think you have to do but I would not suggest 18 hours.

Really no matter how many you take the key is getting yourself to the library and studying.

I think it depends on how well you did in high school.

I took 6 AP classes my senior year and got straight As in all of them because I was willing to put in the work every night after I got home from cheerleading practice. Came to UA, took 16 credits my first semester, and got a 4.0 while pledging my sorority and doing some other extracurriculars. If you have only taken a few AP classes in the past or you struggled to get As or Bs in high school then the transition to college is going to be harder for you than it was for me. Know yourself and what you can handle.

I had started with 16 and dropped a class when I realized how unrealistic it was. Spring semester though I finished 20 credits- but I wasn’t a pledge anymore and got the hang of how to manage time & harder work.

I was a C/B student in high school and have a 3.8 GPA here (junior - engineering). College isn’t hard in the sense that you do not need to be a genius to do well here. It’s all about learning how to manage your time wisely while being involved in other stuff.