* The student's major: Some majors are more demanding and may require more credit hours. Engineering and pre-med students, for example, often take a heavier load.
* The college or university: Some institutions have different credit hour systems or expectations.
* The student's individual capabilities and goals: Some students choose to take a lighter load to adjust to college life, while others aim for a heavier load to accelerate their graduation.
A 12-15 credit hour course load usually translates to 4-5 courses per semester, though some courses might be worth more than one credit hour. It's crucial to remember that even a "typical" load is demanding and requires good time management skills.