Selecting classes can be daunting, but this advice will set you up for success
Delving into course selection sheets, degree audits and college requirements for the first time as a freshman is an intimidating experience. Upperclassman, academic advisors and family members will add conflicting opinions to the overwhelming list of possible courses you want to take throughout your college career.
Does the professor have a good rating?
I heard that class is a LOT of work.
You don’t want to put off taking that class.
Why don’t you wait to take that class until next semester?
Among the various struggles that come with the newfound independence of college life (e.g., financial budgeting, cooking and meal prep, housing plans) is the added stressor of registering for classes. It takes time to feel self-assured in course selections and semester plans. And once you breathe the sigh of relief and finalize a semester-long schedule, you realize that a few months later you will have to start the process all over again.
Creating a college schedule that aligns with your goals and coursework may become easier as you move through the college hierarchy. But for freshmen, there is the unrelenting fear that your initial college track could crack and crumble with any misstep in freshmen course selection. Preparing for course registration is terrifying for any college student. Seats fill up and you don’t want to lose the chance to take that one class you really want. Figuring out a semester schedule with class periods that don’t overlap is a challenging game of Tetris. You’re a small fish in a big pond, and you want to simultaneously maintain a manageable workload while making the most of the educational opportunities that are available.
There is no universal rulebook for college freshmen to follow as they sign up for classes. Goals and aspirations vary among every new students searching to make the most out of their new academic journey. However, there are certain bits of wisdom that remain applicable to all freshmen.
Make a plan, but don’t be afraid to change your mind
College coaches and advisors love to tout the fool-proof methodology behind a four-year plan. Ideally, a four-year plan sets all students up for success to complete their required coursework and earn their degree in four years. That’s certainly a goal we all strive for. However, the expectation that a plan we make now will remain virtually unchanged across the span of four years is comically unrealistic.
A college education is supposed to prepare students for the workforce, and that process changes as students learn more about their passions and interests.
Most college students realize at some point that the career path that they once felt confident in pursuing changes once they actually dive into coursework. This is most common among freshmen. There is no harm is accepting that the idea you had is different than what reality presented. The truth is, you don’t know what you expect from a college major until you start taking classes. It’s OK to experiment and change directions, pick up a minor, take a shot at a new elective course and look ahead to different degree options. Experimentation and exploration are what make the college scene unique. But there must be balance. The romanticized four-year plan is a malleable blueprint.
Make an outline for a four-year plan to stay on track to graduate, and prepare yourself with a list of courses that you want to take. When entering a new semester, adopt an open-mind and embrace the journey. If you’re trying to decide between two different classes to take, see if you can register for both. When the semester starts, see how the first week of classes go. Then decide which course you want to remove from your plate and set aside to take the following semester. Some courses complement one another, while others are meant to be taken as a companion to a lighter workload.
Balance requirements with interests
Academic freedom is a beautiful luxury. Most freshmen jump into the college setting and are eager to expand their knowledge without the restrictive, state-mandated high school curriculum. Compared to high school, there are infinitely more opportunities to explore diverse coursework. But, there are still college, state and degree requirements that need to be fulfilled. There are some courses that you simply cannot avoid taking if it factors into your degree. State requirements may vary depending on credits that students previously amassed from high school; however, more often than not, students have at least one general education requirement to fulfill during their college career.
Don’t be dejected by the list of requirements and prerequisites for your degree before you can jump into the fun coursework you anticipated taking. You have time to explore the courses of your dreams while also fulfilling requirements. When looking at courses for each semester, make note of what classes you want to take and what course you must take. Balance required classes that may not be initially appealing with classes that seem of interest to you. Also be aware that the required courses you were dreading may end up being some of your favorite classes. Try not to be intimidated by the syllabi or professor ratings for a particular class. You may have to take that class regardless of how rigorous it may be. But once again, you will unlock knew knowledge and experience no matter what classes you take in college. You grow from the struggle and flourish from what you discover.
Get second opinions, but follow your gut instinct
Family, upperclassmen and alumni will give their input and insight into your college path, whether you like it or not. Accept advice from the people who are trying to help you and the people who have been in your shoes before. But don’t let their advice be the defining factor behind your course selection. You dictate your own decisions. What may be deemed a difficult class for one person may be easier for someone else. Don’t give in to the rumors and the stigma surrounding certain classes. If it appeals to you, then try listening to your heart and decide why you want to take that class and how it will work to your benefit. You know yourself better than anyone else. Trust that you have your own work ethic and personal experience to draw from when selecting a set of courses for your next semester.
Enjoy the journey
No matter how meticulous you are in planning out your college career, you are guaranteed to face hurdles and encounter unexpected and uncontrollable changes. Change your perception of what you believe your college curriculum will be as you learn more about yourself. See each course opportunity as a chance for adventure. It is overwhelming to sit down as a freshman and search through all of a university’s course options, credit requirements and degree audits. Pace yourself. Accept a challenge and embrace courses that you may have never considered taking. Go after those out-of-my-comfort-zone courses that fit your current career interests.
Education is a precious gift. Take advantage of the opportunities before you. Be honest about course-related concerns, and work campus resources to ensure you succeed. There are people out there to help you and support you in the college transition. Acclimating to an entirely new academic environment is a long-term process for freshmen. Feeling confident in your newly adopted academic prospects is not an overnight transition; it takes time, patience and thought to develop an academic path that suits who you are and what you need. Take control of your journey and choose your own path each semester.