It seems a bit early, however, the spring semester planning is already upon us. Although registration for undergraduate courses does not start until end of October, it is always a good idea to start planning your classes early.
I know it can be daunting to schedule classes between knowing how your personal progress is going towards your degree or deciding which classes have the best professor and/or the right amount
of workload. It is completely okay to be confused. On the other hand, you want to be prepared.
When I was a freshman, I was completely lost as to what classes I should be taking and the requirements I needed to get my degree.
However, I found some tips and tricks along the way that really helped me plan the right classes at the right times.
Here are ten tips I would recommend when planning for the spring semester.
1. Make sure you go see your advisor. They know exactly what classes your degree requires and how you’re progressing.
I know it takes up a big chunk of your day, but the appointment with your advisor is completely worth it.
They will simplify the whole excruciating process of planning and they will answer any questions you have.
This is especially important if you plan on going to a graduate program, as they can help you pick classes that will help you be the most prepared.
They can even help you plan electives. And speaking of electives…
2. Get your general education requirements out of the way.
I know you want to take the fun electives, but SXU’s General Education Program is actually very valuable. It teaches you skills you will need once you leave college, such as critical thinking, writing, information literacy, and many others.
You also learn personal responsibility and more about the world around you with culture, societies, and religion classes.
Do not look at it like it is a requirement that does not pertain to your career, because you are planning for your success in adulthood.
You grow holistically in these courses and they teach you so much knowledge that is incredibly useful after college.
3. Do not plan your classes based around a friend.
Having a friend in class is nice. It’s great to have someone to study with. However, this can become risky if you get distracted easily or if it is a class you do not need.
4. Do not go around asking how “good” a professor is.
Most of the time your experience in a course will depend on your work ethic and how much you pay attention in class.
In my experience, no professor is really that terrible. It is the students that do not keep up with the workload or do not seek help in the class that have a bad experience with the professor.
5. Do pace yourself.
For one semester, I took nineteen credit hours and I had a job. It was the worst semester of my life. My grades slipped, I did not have time for a social life was constantly stressed out.
If you are the type of student that can handle the workload, that’s amazing.
But know your limits on how many credit hours you end up taking.
Otherwise, you will end up overstressed, sleep-deprived, and your grades
may fall.
6. 8am classes are not that bad. Don’t believe the stereotype.
7. Plan back-up classes/sections just in case.
You may have a late registration time and want to take classes that fill up quickly.
If a class if full and you do not want to be the tenth person on the waitlist, have some courses in mind that you would also want to take in case your first choice is filled up.
Or even look at the other sections the class is offered so you do not have to stress about if a class fills up.
8. There are no easy classes in college.
You may want to take a class because you heard it is easy to get an A in the class.
This is not true. All classes require hard work and time management. Do not take a class because you heard it was easy. Take it because you want to learn.
9. Night classes are not that bad. Don’t believe the stereotype.
10. Know what the class is about.
Read the course description, contact the professor, and recognize any prerequisites you need to take first.
A class may seem like it is about a different topic than it actually is. It is important to know what you are spending your money on and what you are going to learn.
Find something that interests you. SXU offers a wide range of different courses so that you can make the most out of your college experience.
Those are the tips and tricks for planning your spring semester. The process is easier than you think and can be done successfully. Have a fun spring semester and get those courses planned.
Emily Rubino
Opinions Editor
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