Choosing Classes & Preparing a Schedule

So, what courses do you need to take to earn your degree? When preparing your educational plan, you should try to obtain the best information available. Often you may not know who to talk to or how to find out about which classes are right for your educational/degree program. How long will it take to get your degree? When are the courses offered? Are they available every term, once a year or once every two years?

To begin with, you need to talk to your academic advisor. Schedule an appointment with your advisor and have the questions you want answered ready before your appointment. Together with your advisor, you can determine which courses you need and in which sequence you need to register for them. Where do you find out about pre-requisites that may be required for a course? What if there are multiple sections and various instructors to choose from? How do you decide on which course/section or instructor?

Here are some suggestions:

1. You may want to arrange to meet with an instructor before you sign up for the course.
2. Read the catalog course description ahead of time and verify you have met any pre-requisites indicated.
3. Ask to see a copy of the course syllabus from the current or previous semester.
4. Ask permission to sit in on a class this semester.
5. Ask other students what their impressions and experiences have been. Make an informed decision BEFORE you register for the course. This will also reduce the number of schedule adjustments you have to make.