When you have a substantial work life you may need to hold it to 12 or fewer credits a term to keep a grip on your sanity. To figure this out I worked backwards from the sophmore level courses that you would take last to try and see how to make it all work out.
3-4 General Education courses -- (1 fall, 1 winter, 2 spring) Literature, History, Psychology etc
Chemistry (CH 221-223) -- my view is that an engineer without CH 223 (organic) is not adequately prepared
Writing (WR 121,122,227)
Engineering Orientation (GE101/Fall)
HHP 295 (winter or spring)
Your average load is around 13 credits per quarter.
Calculus (MTH 251-253)
Physics (PH 211-212)
2 General Ed classes possibly including a biology class for civil engineers
Public Speaking (SP 111/anytime)
Your average load is around 12 credits per quarter.
Calculus (MTH 256, 254, 255) [255 is recommended but not always required]
Statics, Dynamics, and Strengths (ENGR 211-212) [213, Strengths of Materials, depending on program]
Physics (PH 213)
Electrical Fundamentals (ENGR 201/Winter)
General Education Requirement (spring)
Your average load is around 12 credits per quarter.
There are only two big traps to avoid. The first is to be sure you succeed at the math you are taking. If you get in trouble in math all your plans will be set back probably a year. This is why your advisor will often suggest that you take a less rigorous load your first quarter to try and assure your success in math.
A other trap that some students fall into is putting off the Humanities and Social Science classes until the last quarter. It may be hard to fit these into your schedule as you go along but its easier than trying to cram 3 literature classes into one quarter.