You will find it is quite competitive here. Give yourself a break by taking a light load the first semester or until you have had time to adjust. If you have a child, work more than fifteen hours per week or you have any other substantial outside responsibilities, you might consider taking 12 credits per semester. This is the lowest credit load for full-time enrollment status. Try not to over-schedule yourself with regular outside activities.
Most students find they have to cut back on social life and community obligations.
At the very least, keep things flexible enough to allow for change when the pressure is on. The objective tests given in many courses require detailed specific knowledge as well as reasoning skills. Budget regular as well as optional study time and use morning hours for study whenever you can. A regular place to study also helps. A rule of thumb is two hours of study time for every hour in the classroom.