What should I ask students about workload and deadlines?
Ask current students how many hours they usually spend on assignments outside class in a normal week, and how busy they become when deadlines overlap or exams approach. You can also ask about the frequency of reports, experiments, and group projects; how deadlines are set or changed; what happens if work is submitted late; and whether the workload is manageable alongside commuting, part-time work, or other activities. This helps you understand differences by year and field of study.
Key points
- Ask about study time in both a typical week and the busiest periods.
- Check the types and frequency of assignments and when deadlines tend to overlap.
- Ask about late submissions and balancing coursework with work or extracurricular activities.
Things to check
- Workload and deadline practices vary by university, faculty, course, and year, and one student's experience may not represent everyone. Check official course guides and syllabi for detailed rules.