Whenever I enter a retail store, I try on everything possible until I commit to what I truly want. This is pretty much how I do everything—namely program filing. After navigating through many critical decisions in my life: choosing a major (Anthropology with an “unofficial” minor in Creative Writing), deciding where to study abroad (The University of Melbourne), and choosing a topic for my Senior Thesis (still working on that), nothing plagues me more than figuring out my course schedule, simply because I invest my soul into my classes. Thus, I have morphed into a true Shopoholic: I am addicted to shopping classes!
I cannot tell you how much I’ve learned about myself through the process of this exploration, not to mention the wealth of knowledge that can come from auditing courses in varying disciplines (even if only for a week). Additionally, there is something kind of liberating about being in the liminal space of not yet having a fixed schedule: it allows you to explore new buildings, professors and lectures that you may have otherwise never even considered.
There are many advantages to shopping courses, if done effectively. As a shopping addict, here are my tips for navigating the Columbia University Shopping Period:
–The CU Directory of Classes is your friend. Don’t be afraid to shop a class even if the course level or # of credits appears too high or daunting. These values can often be misleading in representing the workload. Go to the class and see for yourself (i.e. I took a really interesting upper-level opera studies Anthro seminar that only had 5 people in it. The workload was very manageable and the professor was amazing. I was transformed into an opera aficionado.)
–There are various criteria to choosing your classes. However, I deem the most important: the professor, the people in the course, and the aesthetics of the building. While a class may sound interesting in theory, it is largely a parcel of the professor’s ability to facilitate lectures in a thoughtful and engaging manner as well as your fellow classmates’ receptivity to the subject matter. Also, there are so many beautiful buildings on the Columbia/Barnard campus. Taking a course in a building that makes you happy can enhance your desire to learn.
–Wear comfortable shoes when shopping. Shopping classes can often be a draining and long process. It’s important to dress appropriately.
–If you really want to get into a course, you will more than likely find a way. If you are that passionate, do not settle; email the professor, keep checking the registrar to see if space has opened up, talk to the department. Many times, professors will allow you to enroll if you express that much interest.
–Finally, don’t over-shop and go with your gut. No decision is ultimately make-or-break. Choose instinct over what you feel you should do.
Take each semester as it comes. There are so many amazing opportunities and courses around this campus that you may otherwise have never encountered. You will gradually realize what you are good at and what you enjoy, as I have. However, it is important to explore and shop through your life; after all, that is what our undergraduate experience is for, isn’t it? We’re here to become students of the world. In the end, you’ll find that your varied coursework all ties together, and you have probably become a far more versatile person because of it. I used to berate myself for compulsively shopping classes in a constant state of indecisiveness. However, what I used to regard as one of my biggest character flaws may actually be one of my most fortunate, endearing qualities. It just shows how much I care, and that’s okay! Taking different sorts of classes through these four years has made me form amazing relationships with all different kinds of people.
Whether I become a writer, an actor, or something in between, I don’t see why I cannot have it all. Finally, I leave you with a list of my favorite classes that I have taken thus far at CU:
Playwriting 1 with Ellen McLaughlin
The Dialogical Imagination in Opera with Elaine Combs-Schilling
Basketball (P.E.) with Tavius Cheatham
Intro to Social and Cultural Anthropology with John Pemberton
Introduction to Fiction Writing with Nellie Hermann