Most well prepared kids can. Then see where you can squeeze other stuff in after that. Great opportunity to write the kinds of things you've always wanted to say and great way for them to get writing skills improved. Often after working for a year, they get very motivated. Stick it out until the date you can drop without impact.
Reality check with others in the course.
High School does not prepare students well for college in term of workload, study habit, time management etc. In fact some universities restrict pledging the first year. All that said, my oldest never listened to me, pledged her first year and did very well academically. As a college senior, I have to chime in here. It wasn't long ago that I was faced with a serious depression during my freshman year.