DON‘T Do Everything Your Counselor Tells You To: During orientation at my college, all students met with their counselors and were given advice on which classes to take. My intentions upon entering college was to enter the business program. Knowing this, my counselor advised me not to take a tough prerequisite first semester; instead fluffing up my schedule with useless classes deemed appropriately simple for freshmen.
On the advice from my friend, I changed my schedule upon finishing orientation and took the prerequisite. While the class was indeed tough, I was able to do well. Meanwhile, my friends who chose to follow their counselors advice found themselves with no work their first semester and way too much the next.
Counselors rarely know incoming students individually. If you think your schedule doesn’t suit you, change it.
DO Challenge Yourself – It is easy to go through college partying and taking the easiest classes possible. To a certain extent, that is even fine. There should be plenty of room for having fun. On the other hand, no one wants to go through four years without learning anything useful.
My freshmen year I had to take two economics classes to apply for the aforementioned business program. I loathed the subject. The classes were graded and curved to weed out students who wouldn’t succeed in the business program and as a result there was more focus on grades then there was on the actual subject.
Still, as a rule I try to take one challenging class, at least, a semester. So I didn’t hesitate to take a 300-level economics course my sophomore year. Not only did I discover that economics was much more interesting than it was presented in the base levels, my coursework looked all the more impressive when I applied for the business program (which I did get into.)
DON‘T Forget to Fulfill Requirements – At my college all students are required to take a certain amount of credits, a language for four semesters and classes in specific areas like natural science and humanities. It is a good idea to always know where you stand on filling whatever requirements you have. Four years can pass by much faster then you would expect.
I would recommend taking fifteen to thirty minutes before you sign up for classes every semester to check how you are coming along in finishing requirements. Because I did this, I was able to get most of my requirements done by the end of my second year in college. Now with one full year of college left, I have complete freedom in taking classes that interest me the most as electives.
DON‘T Wait Until The Last Minute To Register – At my college every student gets a registration date and time. Remember that at most big schools, you are competing with many, many students to get into the best classes. If you are lucky enough to have an early enrollment date, most schools give enrollment dates based on class status, you should take full advantage of it.
I remember one semester where I had my entire schedule lined up. I “backpacked” five classes and began telling my friends and family about the classes I was going to take. Unfortunately I forgot to get up on time for my online appointment and by the time I went to register four of my classes were full (they weren’t the night before.) It is even worse if you wait until the last day to register for classes.
This won’t happen every time but why risk it? If you really want to take a class then make the effort to take it.
DO Schedule Smart – When I was in high school I hated getting up at 6 or 7 in the morning. Some people love the morning but I would much rather be in bed. For some reason, I got to college and decided to take classes at 8 or 9 in the morning. Guess what? I still hated it.
Most big classes have flexible schedules. So if you hate mornings, try to accommodate yourself and take afternoon classes. And if you would rather wake up earlier and have more daytime to study or have fun, take morning classes.
Don’t just assume that you will be happy taking classes whenever.
DO Take Classes With Friends – My final piece of advice. In high school most students had a friend in almost every class they took. This security blanket was something that college seemingly removes for many students. Don’t be afraid to take a class for no other reason then you have a friend in it. Most base-level courses that go towards your graduation requirements are all the same; too broad to teach anyone anything memorable.
My sophomore year I took a psychology class for the sole reason that four of my friends were in it. In a lecture of three-hundred, it would have been hard to make friends to share notes and study with. But by taking a class with friends, I had a reliable study group throughout the semester.
I hope this article helps someone and good luck choosing classes!
