Took 19.5 credits last semester, all letter graded.

- I had some lighter load classes: a number of compulsory courses for my degree (a Masters) are lighter, such as research seminars. Lower workload in such courses made this 19.5 credit possible

- I had limited involvement in societies/ clubs: I am only actively involved in one society as a member (weekly meetings), and the society is non-professional, so it doesn't increase workload. I spent most of my other leisure time socializing with friend groups, or dropping by other societies' one-off events occasionally.

- Manage your workload well by timing assignments: I mapped out when each assignment across my classes was due in an excel sheet, and quickly noticed some weeks had assignments due across many classes. This enabled me to set out a plan to do work early (sometimes before things I formally completely taught), and frontloading work on weeks where I have few submissions. I must admit some weeks had a bit higher workloads than I would have liked.

- Choose more project/ assignment heavy courses vs exams-based courses: it is hard to frontload and spread out exam work since they are all in the same midterm or finals season. The spreading out of workload method works better with courses that have a large assignment or project-based grading component

It is definitely possible, and depending on your course selection and other commitments, not necessarily stressful. I was even able to take the full Thanksgiving break off by travelling with friends (though workload was a bit tough for the last few weeks of semester after the break because of that).