Five Things to Consider When Registering for Classes

It's that time of the semester. Time to pick and register for our Fall classes. Before you make anything official, try a few pre-registration tips that will help you assure a satisfying semester.

1. Think ahead. It's easy to think of next semester as very far away, but don't forget that you are setting up yourself. In only a few months, you will be faced with the way you set things up now. So, although it may seem doable to say now, "Yeah, I'll just sign up for an eight o'clock...," if you aren't the best at making those early classes now, you probably won't be in August either.

2. Trust your adviser. When you go in to meet with your adviser, don't just see it as a requirement that gets your hold lifted. Believe it or not, they know what they are talking about. They have experience with this sort of thing. Make sure your classes are lining up with your plan to graduate. You don't want to just make things easy until your senior year, when you have no choice left but to take a full load.

3. Try talking to upperclassmen. If you know someone older than you in your college, ask them for their advice. These students will be able to suggest classes, teachers, and even whether or not you will really need your books for certain classes, despite what the syllabus may say.

4. www.ratemyprofessors.com-This site, while controversial, really can be of service to students. Maybe you are about to enroll in a course that you are sure will be tough for you. If so, this site can give you an idea of how helpful the teacher may actually be. It can be of more use than seeing whether or not you actually have to attend class.

5. Even things out. Don't pile all your difficult major classes up for the end. Even if it is your freshmen year, it is smart to get some gen eds out of the way, as well as some of the harder classes if you can. Have a plan and write it out. Use one of the advising sheets for your major. Be smart about the way your collegiate career will begin and end.