Planning Your Schedule

It's almost time for my first year students to create their fall class schedules and I wanted to take a few minutes to write down my favorite pieces of advice for planning your schedules.



But first thing's first...your going to need a few tools:

1. Your computer (with a working internet connection). Most schools publish their schedule of classes online these days--you're going to need that in order to plan out your classes. You should also take a moment to verify that your student account is "active". Make sure you don't have any holds that will prevent you from registering!! You should likely check this at least once a week as registration approaches.


2. Course Sequencing/Graduation Worksheets. Most schools provide fabulous little documents that tell you all of the classes you need to complete your degree...make sure you have the correct one (if you entered school this year, you fall under the '07-'08 academic bulletin and your requirements will match!)


3. Your Transcript. You should be able to print an "unofficial" transcript through your online records system (generally, this is the same place you go to register for classes). Take a moment to look over your transcript--are ALL of the right classes on there? Is there anything missing? If you are missing anything (an AP class from high school, a class you took over the summer at a community college), go immediately to see your advisor! You want to make sure that credit for every class you took (you did the work, why not get credit for it?)


4. Any Info from a Meeting with your Advisor. You will need to meet with your academic advisor before you register (and I'm not just saying that because I'm an advisor). Your advisor can make sure you understand your course sequencing so you don't take classes out of order. If you are in a very specific major (such as my Theatre or Music students), you may be required to register for a very specific section of a class...WRITE THOSE CLASS NUMBERS DOWN!!!


5. A Registration Planning Sheet. While this item is not specifically necessary, it sure is a time saver! My office pre-prints forms with class times blocked out (our Monday, Wednesday, Friday classes are 50 minutes long; Tuesday, Thursday classes are 1 hour and 15 minutes long). This way, you can plot out your schedule as you are creating it! If planning sheets are not available to you, use the calendar function on your computer--just make sure you can see a whole week at a time!

Now that you've got your tools, this registration thing should be pretty simple...

1. Fill out your Graduation Worksheet. Use your transcript to mark off all of your completed requirements on your graduation worksheet. What classes do you still have left to take? Is there a particular order that your school prefers you take these classes? I'm betting that your advisor said something about all of this when you talked!


2. Make a List of Classes You MUST Take This Semester. Based on the information you just got from your graduation worksheet, I bet there are at least two classes that you really need to take. Pull out that information from your advisor and write down any specific classes (if any). Then fill in with at least one (preferably two) general education classes. You may want to divide your list into three headings: Major Classes, General Education Classes, Electives (Fun Classes). As you create your schedule, keep referring back to this list to make sure you're fulfilling requirements and creating a good balance.


3. Start Filling in Your Registration Planning Sheet. Put in the classes that you know you have to have first. Obviously this will be easier if a spot in the class is reserved for you (if the class is restricted to "majors only") but never discount the value of sneak-thievery in order to get into a needed class (more on that later). Once you have your "required" classes on your schedule, you can design everything else around that.


4. Research! Pull up the Schedule of Classes and find out what time those general education courses are being offered. Make sure you find a couple of alternative times for each class (if something fills, you want to be flexible. Have another class waiting in the wings!) Pull up a second window as you are searching classes and log on to http://www.ratemyprofessor.com/! Don't just use this site to say, "oh, that professor sucks, I don't want to take a class with them." Pay attention to the student comments. Find out how much reading is involved in the course you're looking at--find out if the professor tests solely from his/her lecture notes or if they use the book. I've mentioned creating a "balanced" schedule before...this is the best way to do it! Mix your reading/writing heavy classes with your more fun classes. Don't avoid work--find the balance!


5. You're Ready to Register. Now that you have a schedule planned out, get online and register. Try to remember that registration dates fluctuate--so be sure you know what date and time you are allowed to register. Wake yourself up early the morning of registration and, if at all possible, check your registration system the night before to see if any of the classes you were hoping to take are closed. Once you've registered, print out a copy of your schedule and verify that everything is correct. Most online registration systems date and time stamp printouts. This is a great way of covering your ass should a problem arise!

I Didn't Get Into the Class I Want...What Do I Do? Ah, the "closed" class, a time honored tradition in universities across the country. Like most things in college, "closed" is not exactly a word set in stone. You have a couple of options to get around a "closed" class. Here are some pointers:

• Keep Checking! Just because a class is closed now, doesn't mean it will continue to be closed a week from now (or even ten minutes from now). This step requires a lot of vigilance on your part! Seats in "closed" classes do move around quite a bit, particularly during the first week of school--when students actually get into the class! Check to see if a seat opens up once every two days or so over the summer, and once an hour during the first week of school. Once school has started, the BEST time to check for an open seat is IMMEDIATELY after the first class meeting.

• Check With the Department About an Override. Some Departments will issue overrides into classes (particularly if you are a major in that department). However, this is on a case-by-case basis.

• Check With the Professor About an Override. A lot of Departments will leave overrides at the discretion of the professor. Generally, the best way to contact a professor is by e-mail...but watch your timing! Remember that professors have even more work than you do at the end of a semester so be cautious about e-mailing for an override immediately following registration.

• Show Up on the First Day of Class. This is a somewhat underhanded tactic for getting an override, but it's been known to work wonders. Professors will often give an override to the person who is standing right in front of them (hey, possession is 9/10's of the law, remember?)

• Get Really Sneaky. This tactic will have required some foresight on your part (which is why I'm telling you about it now). Is there a class you are just desperate to take, but it always fills up? Ask yourself this, do I have any friends in Honors or Student Government? These students are frequently able to register before any one else--have them register for a seat in your desired class. Once you are ready to register, get them on the phone and have them drop the class while you add it. Yes, it's underhanded. Yes, it's devious. But all is fair in love and registration.