If you’re reading this, you either want to be prepared for registration, or you’re stressed about registering for the spring semester.
Have no fear, your registration fairy godmother is here.
Registering for classes is usually challenging. You talk to your friends about it, you cry about it, you plan, talk to your advisor, and as a last resort, you even email the professor of one of the classes you’re interested in, praying a Hail Mary because of how “bad” you want to be in the class when in reality, it’s a requirement for your major.
In this article, I will share my experiences as a senior and tell you tips and tricks that have helped me survive the registration period.
Plan, Plan, Plan
Planning your schedule ahead of time, creating multiple schedule options, and using platforms like Courscile, Ratemyprofessors.com, and scheduling an appointment with your academic advisor are the main steps you should be taking.
Yes, I just name-dropped the Ratemyprofessors.com webpage. Everyone uses it, everyone knows about it, most professors dislike it, and most students love it. It is like a canon event that is required for all students to experience at least once during their college career. Do your research, choose wisely, and don’t trust every review. Most classes have bad reviews because some students don’t want to challenge themselves. I get it, trust me! (I am currently having a bad case of senior-itis as I am writing this.) Don’t be afraid to take a hard class because it is too “challenging.”
Creating multiple schedule options is also another great tool to utilize during the pressure of registration. This ensures that if most of the classes are full, at least you have a backup option to register for classes… even if it’s all the classes you weren’t interested in at all.
Learn now: classes get full, waiting lists get full, and your time is running out! So, it is better to have a draft of a schedule registered than to have no registered classes at all, which could open up a can of worms, financial aid problems, frustration, and more. Have something, don’t have nothing.
The last tip for planning is to use the “plan ahead” tool in your Piratenet. After logging in, go to the “SHU Portal” tab, click the “Academics" tab, and then the “Student Registration” tab where you will see the “Planning Ahead” tool. This is going to be your secret weapon. After creating your favorite schedule option (you can only create one draft), save it because when you do register, all you have to do is click the button that uploads your schedule from the planning ahead tool, submit your registration, and you’re done. You've just saved yourself the hassle of choosing each class individually. It’s a great tool, and probably the tool you will use the most!
No Advisor, No Problem!
Here’s what they don’t tell you when you’re a freshman: your advisors won’t always be there to help you, so sometimes you’ve got to help yourself!
I’ve heard of many situations where advisors don’t help, your advisor changed and you didn’t know, or they only gave your registration pin and disappeared. I could go on…but I won’t. Instead, here’s what I have to say: if you feel your advisor wasn’t helping you enough, ask for help again. If that doesn’t work, ask for help elsewhere. You can ask a student advisor, a career advisor, a friend, a partner, a professor, a classmate, or anyone personable to you.
If no one can help you, help yourself. Teach yourself, do it, and move on because college and life are challenging, so let’s not make registration even more difficult.
Nothing Worked, Now What?
If nothing worked, you’re still struggling with registration, or all your classes are full and you don’t know what to do: take a deep breath. Yeah, that’s all I got- just kidding.
After stressing out and possibly throwing a tantrum, ask for help, go to the caf and eat some dessert, play a game, or take a nap. Do anything you need to do to relieve your stress and try again. Registration is not always going to be easy. Try again, and continue until you have a schedule you’re semi-satisfied with, and move on. Remember, an add/drop period exists, and it can be helpful if you’re completely unsatisfied with your schedule.
The Waiting Game
After registering for classes, the next major deadlines you have to worry about are final exams (cue dramatic music). Finish your work, pass your finals, and move on!
Registration is not going to consume your life, it is not the “bane of your existence.” Enjoy that you’re done, and begin the waiting game until the next semester!
Esmeralda Arias is the Managing Editor of The Setonian. She can be reached at esmeralda.arias@student.shu.edu.
