Course selection is one of the most stressful times of the year. Looking at the endless list of courses and trying to figure out if you can even get into the courses you want can seem daunting. Here at HWS upper classmen are finished with the process of enrolling in classes (minus a few exceptions), but first years are still anxiously waiting for the day when they can pick out classes. This time last year I remember being in the same boat. I remember scrambling last minute to pick out new classes, after the upperclassmen had filled up all of the classes that I wanted to take. I also remember freaking out over the process of registration; I was so worried that I wouldn’t be able to get into any of my classes, or backups and would be stuck taking classes that had nothing to do with my major.
After all my worrying, I woke up bright and early on registration day and luckily was able to get into all of my first choices and have (knock on wood) been able to get into all of my first choices ever since. Even though everything worked out for me during registration it can still be really stressful, especially during your first time, so here are some tricks and tips to getting a great schedule for the upcoming semester.
1. Reach out to professors
Professors love to know that you are actually interested in taking the classes that they are teaching. Even before registration begins don’t be afraid to email the professor of the class you want to get into and let them know that you are interested in their class. This shows that you want to be in their class and might give you a leg up if you know get into their class during the registration period.
2. Keep an eye on classes you want to get into
If you don’t get into all the classes you want during registration don’t despair, most classes open up, as it gets closer to the beginning of the semester. Leave the courses you want to get into in your shopping cart and keep checking back during the open enrollment period and a spot might just open during that time. The first semester that I did course registration a class that I really wanted filled up during the upperclassmen enrollment, but I kept it in my shopping cart and low and behold a spot eventually opened up, and I was able to get into the class.
3. Remember that you can still get into classes during open enrollment
Don’t be upset if you don’t get into all of your classes right at 7 am on the day of registration, because enrollment will still be open before the next semester. So if you don’t get into all the classes, relax and take some time to find open classes that you may want to take.
4. Don’t be afraid to take some classes just for fun
As a first year it can sometimes be hard to get into upper level classes for your major or minor, so remember that your classes don’t have to correspond to your major or meet your goals, some classes can be just for fun. Don’t put too much pressure on your self to just be in classes that you need for academic requirements. Have fun with your education!