Listen Here
By Kelsey Nevius
@kelnevs
Now that Fall Break has passed and midterms are wrapping up, we’re in that long stretch of college that doesn’t come easy for anyone. From this point until exam week in December, it’s a huge whirlwind of tests, quizzes, projects, and assignments. For our new freshmen at the University of Findlay, this time of year also marks another occasion that’s new for you: course registration. Scheduling classes every semester is comes second nature to most upperclassmen, but I’ve noticed that most freshmen don’t know the first thing about scheduling classes for their next semester. As upperclassmen, we’ve already learned what to do and what to expect, but it never hurts to be reminded of how the hectic scheduling season works.
When the email that says scheduling has officially started first appears in my inbox, what I first do is check with my adviser to set up a time to schedule my classes. Different advisers do this in a multitude of ways, so make sure to check with your adviser to see if they have a sheet to sign up outside their office or you schedule a time with them via email. If you don’t know who your adviser is or you have someone new, you can find who it is in your MyFindlay account under registration information. Try to set up a time to schedule as early as possible and at least a few days before your registration date. The earlier you get that advising appointment scheduled, better your chances of getting into the classes and times you want get. You can find your registration date on MyFindlay, too.
The next thing I would advise that you do before heading to get your new schedule is to take a look at your degree audit. This can also be found on MyFindlay, under the degree audit tab. Once you click on it, it will take you to a set-up of your majors. If the majors you see aren’t correct, you can pick another from the drop down box, but be sure to change them officially at the Registrar’s Office. After entering your major or majors and minors, it will take you to your actual audit. This audit lists all of the classes you have completed, are participating in, and what classes you need for your major to graduate. This will show you the classes you need to take, and help you decide which ones to take next semester to keep your degree on track.
I hope you get a better idea of what you can do to make the scheduling process easier for yourself and your adviser. Of course, your adviser will help to keep you on track and earning credits toward your degree, but taking a look at what you need in your degree audit and seeing what classes you’d like to take next will make scheduling that much easier. While you’re looking at the course catalogue, be sure to pay attention to course rotations. Not all classes are offered every semester. Once you do this, you’ll have a general plan of what you want to take when you go in to schedule and your adviser can help you pick classes that will benefit you.
