Emma Sandlin
Picking your spring schedule feels like a game of strategy. Juggling time slots, different professors, prereqs and trying to make sure not to destroy your sleep schedule in the process. After a few semesters of experience of messing around with my own schedule, here are some things I really wish I knew before hitting “enroll”.
Don’t stack everything later in the day just because it looks easier on paper.
A 4 p.m. class might sound nice… until you realize that you’re in class until dinner and have zero motivation left for anything else. Spread things out so you’re not dragging yourself to late classes every day.
Pay attention to the professor’s reviews.
RateMyProfessor is honestly one of the best things that I look at before signing up for a class. It gives you the student perspective that you won’t find anywhere else. But don’t stop there, Clemson’s grade distribution is another great place to look. You can see the exact percentages of A’s, B’s, C’s, D’s, F’s, and withdrawals for every professor and class. When you use both, you can get the full picture of what the class is actually like, instead of relying on one random review.
Don’t load your hardest classes in one semester.
Spring burnout is real. When you’re building your schedule, try not to stack all your hardest classes in the same semester, especially if they’re all exam and homework-heavy. It might feel like you’re being efficient at the moment, but by mid-march, you’ll be exhausted, buried in assignments and wishing you had spread things out more. A balanced schedule makes the whole semester feel more manageable.
Protect your sleep schedule.
If you’re not a morning person, don’t convince yourself that you’ll magically become one in January just because it’s a new semester and new year. On the flip side, loading your schedule with super late classes can throw off your whole routine. Pick classes at times that fit who you are right now, not the version of yourself you wish you were, and your whole semester will feel a lot easier.
Always leave room for the unexpected.
College schedules never stay as put-together as they look on day one. A UPIC internship might pop up, a club role might get busier, or you might realize you need more time to study than you thought. If you pack your entire week with zero wiggle room, even a small change can lead to stress spirals. Building in some flexibility will make it so much easier to adjust when life shifts.
At the end of the day, picking your spring classes is all about knowing yourself and setting yourself up for a semester that feels doable. The more you pay attention to timing, workload and the little details that make or break your routine, the smoother everything goes. College is already crazy enough; your schedule should work with you, not against you. And trust me, a few smart choices will make a huge difference once the semester kicks in.