Transcript Advice on Course Selection

Advice on Course Selection
BY BUFFIE EDWARDS
College Class Selection Tips
 Consider Long and Short Term, Be Flexible
 Course selection is an important factor in college.
But many students get hung up on the process,
worried they won’t get the courses they require.
Registration is just one procedure in an ongoing
process that encompasses self-awareness, long and
short-term planning, and the ability to adapt to
changes—pretty much a larger metaphor for
adulthood.
What Do You Take First?
 Strategies for negotiating your college courses
abound. No one method is hard and fast. However,
there must be a modicum of self-examination at
some point. Half your battle is won if you already
have a major chosen. But that does not mean that
without one all is lost; in fact a large percentage of
freshmen are undecided. Without a major you are
free to explore options.
Courses must almost be considered three
dimensionally:
 General required courses outside your major consist
of low level courses selected from the various
disciplines such as art, history, foreign language,
science, math, English composition, sociology or
psychology. This array cuts across the range of
liberal arts curricula. Emphasis on a well-rounded
education is one of the distinguishing factors
between a four-year college and others. Some college
advisors suggest you hit your general requirements
immediately.
 Required courses in your major are those that the
department has determined are the cornerstones in
the foundation of your field of expertise. If you have
a major in mind you might choose one of these along
with general requirements.
 Departmental electives are those upper level courses
that essentially allow you to customize your major.
The upper level courses are usually only available to
juniors and seniors that have satisfied prerequisites
in the major. You should look enthusiastically
forward to this selection.
 The state of balance figures prominently into so
many aspects of your life, and your choice of college
courses is no exception to this rule. A well-balanced
course load includes courses you expect to challenge
you and those less challenging. Additionally the
more variety you can impose in your class schedule
the better for your state of mind.
Know the Course Catalog
 In the article “Getting Around Campus” it emphasize
preparation for your arrival on college campus during the
few months between enrollment and new student
orientation. Explore the course catalog, online or off in
conjunction with the college’s academic rules and
regulations. Processes vary from college to college, but
you should try to have your first choice of courses laid
out, along with second and third choices. Think carefully
about your personal strategy.
 You’ll notice that there will be courses that are restricted
and require the written permission of the professor.
Freshmen rarely have to worry about these.
Beware of Logistics
 I know it may be easy to size up your courses on
paper, but the actual logistics may prove the Devil is
in the details. While you’re assembling your course
plan, consider the size of your campus, situation of
academic buildings in relation to your dorm and
time constraints such as an athletic commitment or
a part-time job.
Meet with Your Advisor
 Either before you get to campus or as soon as you do,
call the academic advisor to which you’ve been
assigned, introduce yourself and ask for an
appointment to review your academic goals and the
course choices you’ve made. Eventually you will
probably choose an advisor within your department,
but freshmen are assigned at the outset. When you
meet take the opportunity to discuss your academic
interests or your intentions. Ask for feedback on
your rationale for the courses you’ve chosen.
Discuss options prior to registration day.
 It is likely your advisor will suggest you include an
English Composition course as one of your first. This
will be a tough course, but it is meant to prepare you
for the level of written communication you’ll need
now and in the future.
Registration
 This is the official step and exactly how it’s
conducted varies. Some colleges offer an online
registration exclusively while others offer a
combination of in person and online registration.
The earlier you register, one way or the other,
the better, especially as a freshman. Required
courses will fill quickly. This is why I suggest you
have choices two and three prepared and discussed
in advance with your advisor. He or she will be
familiar with the system and able to offer you
suggestions for navigating the actual registration.
 Ask if the department has a waiting list.
Waiting lists offer you an opportunity to be one of
the first in line if someone drops a course. Rules
governing use of waiting lists varies from college to
college.
 Chances are come registration day you’ll have to
compromise in some regard, but just remember: you
have many more registrations to go and you’ll not be
a freshman forever.
References
 2007. “A students guide to college”.
http://www.Gonorth.org.
Thank you for your participation!
I hope this information has given you some useful tips. If you
have any suggestions for future seminar topics, please see
Mrs. Edwards or another Student Support Services staff
member.
If you are viewing this workshop online, please come by
Student Support Services, 109 Eldridge Hall, and complete
an Academic Seminar Evaluation form, so that we may have
documentation of your program participation. You may also
print this form online.
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