The 6:30 a.m. enrollment time? The fear of MyMadison crashing? As next week looms overhead, enrollment is becoming all too real.
This will be my eighth semester enrolling at JMU. And I understand, it’s stressful. However, there are some ways to plan ahead and minimize the dread of enrollment.
First, use the Schedule Planner feature. I find this tool so much easier than searching for my classes on MyMadison. It helps me visualize all my classes and a potential schedule. You can also schedule time to block off for work, clubs, rest (schedule some rest), etc. This is one of the best tools to utilize as enrollment approaches.
Now, MyMadison has some redeeming qualities. The Academic Requirements tab is the best section to check if you are on track to graduate. Based on your different majors or minors, MyMadison will tell you which requirements you still have left to satisfy (and if you have any questions, reach out to your advisor!). Although it can be overwhelming to see all the classes you still need to take, checking up on this progress ensures that you understand all the needed components of your degree.
It’s time for a confession: I spend too much time looking at the JMU course catalog. However, this is the website I use the most to build my schedule. Once I understand which requirements I need to fulfill in a given semester, I use the course catalog to brainstorm the courses that sound the most interesting to me. While every class you take over the course of your college career won’t be your favorite, there is so much potential to customize the best schedule for you. Take electives you are interested in. These are the classes you’ll get the most out of.
While I recognize the benefit of all these online platforms, my most successful scheduling tip involves an old-fashioned poster board and post-it note method. Starting my first-year, I kept record of each class I took and which semester I took it. Each class was color-coded based on the requirement it fulfilled (major, minor, gen ed, etc.). This way of planning my classes gave me an easy way to record my progress and adapt my schedule for the future. Look into the scheduling strategies that work best for you. Finding little ways to stay organized will alleviate some of the fear surrounding enrollment.
So, while there is always a level of stress surrounding enrollment, hang in there. Make a plan. And have the best next semester.