Is 17 credits alot for a freshman in college? Classes: chemistry chemistry lab writing precalculus biology biology lab?

For a semester it's not bad.

Yes, 17 credits per semester are too many for your first year. College classes are far different from high school, where teachers tend to "teach to the test. In college, most of the work is done outside the classroom, reading assignments, doing homework, researching and writing papers, etc. You are responsible for ALL of the materials assigned, whether or not the professor covers it in lecture. Expect to spend at least two or three hours outside of the classroom for each hour you spend in lecture.

You may very well be able to handle 17 credits per semester, but you don't KNOW that yet, and your shouldn't risk your GPA by overloading your schedule before you know what you're doing. If, at the end of freshman year, you've been able to get the grades you want, eat, sleep, and socialize to the extent you want, with time to spare, then consider taking on an additional class per semester, or a part-time job (≤20 hours/week) beginning sophomore year.

That depends on you. What kind of student were you in HS. Did you take AP classes. Did you do well in chemistry and bio?

Are you organized, have good study skills?

My daughter took 18 credits her first semester and did great with it. My don was much better off with 12 credits his first semester