About Course Selection and Registration
There are lots of requirements you'll need to earn that bachelor's degree: general education and major classes (sometimes minor or specialization classes), validations, and credit minimums. It's a lot to keep track of. Which classes should you take in which order? What should your schedule look like for the upcoming semester?
If these questions leave you confused or overwhelmed, please schedule an appointment with your advisor to discuss course selection and registration. We'll be happy to sit down with you, review your requirements, go over your academic evaluation and academic map, and help you plan a semester that moves you toward your goals.
If you're ready to select classes and register on your own, these documents, videos, and tips might help.
Registering in Student Planning
Documents
Tips
Before registration, we recommend reflection and planning. Following these steps helps ensure you end up with a schedule that works best for you and your educational goals.
Reflect
Take some time to reflect on your current semester.
- Are you happy with your major or would you like to explore other options?
- Are you comfortable with the amount of classes and credits you have now?
- Does your current schedule allow for enough study time?
- Are your commitments outside of school staying the same or will they change next semester?
- Is there a day or time you cannot be in class or is your schedule flexible?
- What would your preferred schedule look like?
Plan
There will be several weeks between the time classes go live (are searchable for the next semester) and your registration date. Take this time to plan out your schedule in detail.
- Confirm your registration time. You will be assigned a specific day and time when you can begin registering for classes. Write this down ahead of time and plan accordingly.
- Be aware of registration holds! A hold (also called a restriction) prevents you from registering until you resolve the issue. Common holds include needing to meet with your advisor or having a balance on your account.
- Use your Progress and Timeline to determine which classes you should take next. Your Progress lists all your program requirements and tells you which you've completed and what you have left. Timeline lets you plan how you might take these classes in order.
- Check for prerequisites. A prerequisite is something (another course or a validation) that needs to be fully completed before you can take the course you are considering.
- Select classes. If there are multiple sections of a class, select the days and times that would work best for you. You may want to use the Registration Planning Tool to better visualize your schedule.
Register
Try to register for classes either on or near your registration date. The later you register for classes, the more you run the risk of classes reaching capacity and closing.
- Search for the classes you need and build a schedule.
- Verify that your registration is complete and accurate.
- After registering, you can change your schedule at any time until classes start.
- Review your schedule the day before classes begin. Confirm all information and double check buildings and room numbers for in-person class meetings. Sometimes there are last minute changes.
Bonus: Think Long Term
A grad plan is an individualized plan that details all of your graduation requirements (classes and assessments) in a semester-by-semester format. It allows you to set a realistic graduation date. You can schedule an appointment with your advisor to get assistance with creating your grad plan.
Need help with any of these steps? Contact your advisor.
