Scheduling classes for the upcoming semester can be a daunting process when you have soccer practice at 2 p.m. every day, a meeting from 1-3 p.m. on Wednesdays, and a 30-minute commute to campus. Scheduling the right classes for your lifestyle can be difficult, so before signing into PAWS and clicking the ‘enroll’ button for your classes, consider the following tips to make your Fall 2011 schedule a little less stressful.
TCNJ has specific times for courses throughout each day. There are the 10 a.m. classes, which typically end at 11:20 a.m., just in time for meal equiv. at the Stud, but there are also classes, especially business ones, which run for an hour and 50 minutes.
The Planning Toolkit
Because of this, it is a great idea to check out the scheduling grids offered on the Records and Registration page to find out the exact times classes will be offered for the upcoming academic year.
Wesley LaBar, the scheduling manager for Records and Registration, offers insight to students on the way the scheduling process works.
“This is a generalized scheduling plan that each department works with when setting up their term schedules,” LaBar said. “Given the limited number of classrooms on campus, departments try to schedule their classes in the entire grid.”
So before you even think about putting those classes into your shopping cart, check out the offered times for Fall.
Classes that fit your lifestyle
But what about scheduling classes for your lifestyle? Well, based on your extra-curricular activities and other commitments, there are a few things to keep in mind.
Junior journalism and communication studies double major Tyler Olsson is the kicker for the TCNJ’s varsity football team. Olsson always tries to schedule his classes around his practices, which take place every afternoon.
“[Football players] have to try to schedule around the 2:45 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. window every day,” Olsson said. “Sometimes guys have no choice but to take a class in that timeslot and they have to miss practice.”
Classes are important and sacrifices sometimes need to be made. But don’t forget that you’re at college to get an education, not for your other activities.
Scheduling Around a Job
Many students work, both on- and off-campus, and must plan around their work schedules. Sophomore English and History double major Gabrielle Della Pesca knows how to work her classes around her job as a Community Advisor in Travers Hall.
“Since my meeting times (for my job) rarely change, I make sure the classes I pick don’t interfere, and if they do, I try to find a similar class at a different time,” Della Pesca said. “I also know I often work at night so I try to schedule morning classes – but not too early!”
Some on-campus jobs also have mandatory work hours. Junior political science major Melissa Forero is an Ambassador and is required to give tours to future students and their families during the school week.
“When scheduling my classes, I usually try to make them either in the morning so that I can give the 2 p.m. tours, or in the afternoon that way I can do the 10 a.m. ones,” Forero said.
If you have an on-campus job, after scheduling your classes, see if it is possible to revise your work schedule in order to better fit your needs.
A Guide for the Commuting Colliegette
But what about those students who don’t live or work on campus? Commuters often have the trouble of traveling to school and dealing with traffic and parking.
Sophomore psychology major Alysha Obst has lived on campus the last two years, but for the fall 2011 semester, she will be commuting from her hometown.
“I plan on scheduling [my classes] close in time to each other and instead of spreading them out the whole week, I am going to try and cluster them in a few days so I don’t have to drive to TCNJ every weekday,” Obst said.
According to LaBar, student can choose classes based on their lifestyles, but there are other things to keep in mind before visiting your advisor and planning your schedule.
“The ‘best’ schedule for any student should probably begin with their major requirements and the whole advising process by which students determine which classes will satisfy major requirements and lead to the type of academic growth and development that the student is trying to achieve,” LaBar said.
By scheduling classes around your meetings and other commitments, you’ll be able to find more free time in your day while leading a less stressful life.
Keep in mind your on-campus activities and don’t forget about the online resources available on the TCNJ website. Follow this HC advice for a smooth scheduling process that will help even the busiest collegiette!