It’s that time of the semester again – the time when your current classes are just about all you can think about, but you need to choose your courses for next semester. At this point, seniors and juniors have already registered, but sophomores and freshmen will do so this week. Here are some tips and tricks:
Don’t forget about graduation requirements
One great thing about Hamilton is that there are very few course requirements. While all students are encouraged to take classes in a breadth of subjects, you can start exploring your interests without first taking a history or chemistry class if you don’t want to.
However, you do need to take 3 Writing Intensive classes, 1 QSR (Quantitative and Symbolic Reasoning) class, and 3 physical education classes, and unless you get approved to do otherwise, they should be done by the end of sophomore year. But there are still a lot of options!
Writing Intensive classes aren’t just English classes – there are WI courses in many departments. You can also take one in government, history, women’s studies, some foreign languages, and even math! Just a note; if you take more than one writing intensive in a semester, unfortunately only one will count.
Likewise, QSR classes aren’t just math – although of course many math, physics, and science courses fulfill the QSR requirement. I filled mine with Intro Psych, which is obviously a science class technically, but there was very minimal math involved. Something like a music theory class would also count!
PE classes are only half a semester (actually a little less), and there are tons of options. If you didn’t pass the swim test, you’ll be required to take a swimming class. Aside from that, there are many options – learn skating or bocce ball if you’ve never done so, or play a sport you love like soccer. If you want something calmer and more individual, there’s also yoga. Remember that if you plan to take a PE class in the second half of the semester, you have a better chance of getting the one you want if you sign up at the beginning with the rest of your classes.
Don’t limit yourself
Hamilton is a liberal arts school, which makes it ideal for exploring new things. There are many classes and even whole departments that you probably didn’t have the opportunity to experience in high school. Make use of that! Even if you know right away want you want to major in, or you think you only like a certain type of class, like hard sciences or the humanities, consider branching out. I’m not saying you should take a high-level seminar or lab in a subject that’s weak for you, but if you are curious about something, take a class!
Think about your major(s) and/or minor(s)
It’s totally fine if you come to Hamilton not knowing what you want to major in, and it’s still okay if you don’t know after a semester or two. But if you do know what you want, make sure to find out what the requirements are. Tell your advisor what you’re interested in. Speak to professors and students in the department. You don’t want to end up realizing you should have done something two years ago when you’re getting ready to graduating.
If you have no idea what to major in, well my previous advice about exploring especially holds! Take classes in departments that appeal to you in your first couple of semesters.
As a sophomore, I’m faced with making this decision right now. You don’t have to declare until February of your second year, but since I’ve taken only a few classes in any one department, I want to make sure I register for classes next semester that will count toward my major.
Be prepared
Make sure you’re ready for registration.
Make your final decisions on the four classes you’d prefer to take, but also have backups.
Look to WebAdvisor and make sure you’ve selected Spring 2017 as the semester so you don’t make your choices based on incorrect information! The Areas of Study pages on Hamilton’s website sometimes have more info than WebaAdvisor, but it lists all courses, and not every one is offered every semester or even every year.
Double-check that none of your classes have conflicting times. Also check to see if there are any prerequisites. Some classes block out a certain number of spots for different years, so keep that in mind.
Make sure you know your registration time and that you are cleared for registration. If your advisor hasn’t approved you or there’s any issue with payment, there will be a hold on your registration.
Good luck!