JORDYN HOLKA
Reverb Editor
Class registration is a beast; there’s no doubt about it. If done properly, it involves planning, scheduling, list making and more, not to mention frustration when that one class you need ends up being full to capacity. But fear not, because there is a way to tame the beast. Here are a few tips on how to do just that.
Make a list
The first thing you should do when approaching class registration time is make and have a list of all classes you need to take in order to graduate. It can get confusing having to check back and forth between a million lists of electives and required courses, so just make your own that includes all of the classes you plan on taking to complete each of your major, your minor and your CCCs. Each semester, check off the classes you have taken. This list serves two purposes: first, it allows you to clearly see what you have to accomplish, and second, it affords you the satisfaction of checking classes off as you take them, seeing your progress unfold in front of your eyes and your end goal come nearer and nearer.
Get prereqs out of the way
Take any prerequisites as soon as possible in your college career. So many times, students get stuck staying an extra semester because they cannot take a certain class until they have taken another class before it. Don’t fall into this trap! Figure out whether or not your major involves any prerequisite classes and, if so, take those classes as soon as possible. You’re going to have to take them at some point, so you might as well take them now to make things easier on yourself down the road, right?
Get to know your adviser
As far as advisers go … use them! Your adviser is a resource given to you by the university, and it only makes sense to use that resource. Most students have already had advising by this point in the semester, so hopefully you showed up to your advising meeting with at least a tentative list of classes you plan on taking next semester. Advisers are there to answer your questions, give encouragement and help you along the way. Also, contrary to popular belief, they do exist outside of your 15-minute advising meeting each semester! Establish a relationship with your adviser, and you are well on your way to utilizing this resource to its full potential.
Tackle registration
So, now that you’re ready to register for classes, when your allotted registration time rolls around, make sure you have all of your supplies and ducks in a row. Don’t forget to have your little colored card with your registration code on hand; this card should have been given to you at your recent meeting with your adviser. In addition, make sure you are in an area where the internet connection isn’t going to fail you, you have your list of classes with their respective CRNs written down in front of you and you have a back-up list of classes that you can add if one you want is full.
In the instance a class you need is full, it is always best to just register for something right then and there, especially if you have not made it to 12 credits yet, which is what you need to be considered a full-time student. Find another class you may need and just register for it, because it’s better to be registered for a random class than to be left scrambling at the beginning of the next semester looking for three more credits to qualify you as a full-time student.
You can always drop it whenever you decide is a good time. Next, you should immediately contact the professor of the class you want to get into. Approach the professor respectfully and humbly and explain to him or her why you need to get into that particular class. Give the professor any information or details you can, because the more you make it apparent that you need the class, the more likely the professor is to find a way to get you added to the roster. Be patient and flexible, though, because anything the professor does for you is a favor — if you think about it, he or she has no obligation to help you, but most professors will help you. They are nice people.
So, there is your crash-course in taming the beast of class registration. Take it one step at a time, just breathe.n and remember, that little pink slip of paper does not decide your class registration fate — you do.