Helpful Tips and Things I wish I knew Earlier
Plan ahead, years ahead if you can. I am so serious about this as someone who is graduating in three years and started in a completely different major. I went from architecture my freshman year to undecided for a semester, then transferred into communication and was able to fulfill all of my requirements while also completing a minor in advertising. That is why you can trust me when it comes to advice for picking classes and registering.
Next, make sure you are checking all the sources you can. Look at Rate My Professor, Reddit, UIUC Grade Disparity, ask around, and try to find syllabi online. This has been really helpful for me as someone who struggles with anxiety and wants to make sure I can do my best in classes that cost a decent chunk of money.
When it comes to actually planning your courses, start by using the degree audit generator and write down everything you still need to complete. Then compare that with what is available in Course Explorer or in self-service. Definitely use the Schedule Generator to see all the possible options and compare different sections so you can build a schedule that works best for you.
Make sure to use the Plan feature so that when it actually comes to registering, all you have to do is click a few buttons instead of adding each class one by one.
It is also a good idea to meet with your academic advisor if you can. I know that can be hit or miss, but they should know the requirements and can help you oversee an issue or plan out a logistical matter. This could include things like graduating early or late, failing a class, or getting a grade replacement.
Another helpful tip is to take a mix of online and in-person classes. This is especially useful for general education classes that might require a Monday, Wednesday, Friday lecture and a discussion, when you could instead do everything from the comfort of your dorm, apartment, or house. A large majority of these classes at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign are also offered as eight week courses. Look to see if you are in Part A or Part B, which is either the first or second half of the semester. I have taken classes in every eight week timeslot, and if you can, taking them in the first half is ideal. Having less to do later makes the second half of the semester feel much more manageable. I was even able to take twenty-one credit hours in one spring semester because of this.
Now for the worst case that no one wants to think about. What if the class you need is full? If you log onto Course Explorer, you can add a class to your favorites and it will email you whenever a spot opens up. I got into three classes this way for one semester, so I definitely recommend using this feature.
Good luck!
