Unit Load That Needs to Be Taken Seriously, and How to Identify the Course: When you enter the university, one of the first things that can confuse you is the idea of unit load. You will often hear students say things like “that course carries three units” or “this one is just two units.” At first, it might not sound like something serious, but as time goes on, you will realize that understanding your course unit load is very important if you want to graduate with good grades.
Many students make the mistake of treating all their courses the same way, without paying attention to how many units each one carries. However, not all courses have the same weight in your overall grade point average (GPA). Some courses can greatly affect your CGPA (Cumulative Grade Point Average) because of their unit load. Knowing which courses to take more seriously and how to identify them can help you balance your academic effort properly.
What Is a Unit Load?
In simple terms, a unit load (or credit unit) is a measure of how much time and effort a course requires. It tells you how important that course is in your academic record.
For example, if a course carries 3 units, it means it has more weight compared to a course with 1 or 2 units. The higher the unit, the more it contributes to your GPA.
Usually, university courses come in different unit loads such as 1, 2, 3, or even 4 units. Courses that have higher units often include core or major courses, while general or elective courses may have smaller unit loads.
Each department has its own course structure approved by the university, and the total number of units you register each semester determines how many courses you can take and how much workload you will have.
Why Unit Load Is So Important
Your GPA is calculated using both your grades and the unit load of each course. This means that a 3-unit course in which you score a “C” will affect your GPA more than a 1-unit course where you score an “A”.
So, when you fail or perform poorly in a high-unit course, the damage to your GPA is more serious.
Let’s take a simple example:
- Course A: 3 units (you scored a C = 3 points)
- Course B: 1 unit (you scored an A = 5 points)
Even though you had an A in one course, the C in the 3-unit course will pull your GPA down because it carries more weight. That is why you must pay more attention to courses with higher unit loads — they are what truly decide whether you graduate with a First Class, Second Class, or Third Class.
How to Identify Courses with High Unit Loads
You do not need to guess which course has a higher unit load; your course outline or departmental handbook will always indicate it. During course registration, you can see each course listed with its corresponding units beside it. For example:
- ENG 101 – Use of English (2 units)
- GST/GSP 101 – General Studies (2 unit)
- MTH 101 – Calculus I (3 units)
- PHY 101 – General Physics (3 units)
From that list, you can already tell that Calculus and Physics are more important in terms of unit load, and therefore, they need more of your attention and study time.
Another way to identify high-unit courses is to listen to your seniors or check your departmental notice board. Many students who have gone ahead will always talk about courses that carry heavy units because those are the ones that can “make or break” a GPA.
Courses That Usually Carry High Units
Most of the time, core courses or departmental courses that are directly related to your field of study carry the highest units. For instance:
Engineering students may have courses like Thermodynamics, Strength of Materials, or Fluid Mechanics with 3 or 4 units.
Medical students may have Anatomy, Physiology, or Biochemistry as high-unit courses.
Business or Accounting students may have Financial Accounting, Business Law, or Economics carrying 3 units each.
Meanwhile, general courses like GST or elective courses from other departments often carry just 1 or 2 units.
The idea is that the more essential a course is to your degree program, the higher the unit load it will have.
How to Handle Courses with Heavy Unit Loads
Since high-unit courses have a big effect on your GPA, you need to treat them with extra seriousness.
Here are a few tips to help you handle them properly:
1. Attend all lectures and practicals – Missing classes means missing key explanations that could make difficult topics easier.
2. Start reading early – High-unit courses are often broad and require consistent studying, not last-minute reading.
3. Form study groups – Discussing topics with coursemates helps you understand difficult areas better.
4. Consult your lecturers and seniors – Ask questions whenever you are confused. Do not be shy about seeking help.
5. Revise past questions – This gives you an idea of what examiners expect.
6. Manage your time well – Divide your study time based on course units; spend more time on 3 or 4-unit courses.
By doing these, you will not only pass the course but also protect your GPA from unnecessary drops.
Also Read:
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- Top 10 Universities in Nigeria with the Prettiest Girls in 2025
- Top 10 Important Skills to Learn Before Graduating in Nigeria
Conclusion
Every course in the university matters, but some carry more academic weight than others. Understanding your unit load helps you make smart study decisions. The secret to graduating with a strong result is not just studying hard but studying smart, focusing your energy on courses that count the most.
So, before you say “this course is easy, I’ll read it later,” check how many units it carries. You may find out that it is one of those courses that determine your entire semester’s GPA. Always identify your high-unit courses early and give them the attention they deserve.
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