The time has come- the most stressful period of the year is upon us. Midterms have come and gone, and finals week is just beginning to glow beyond the horizon. What event am I referring to then? You guessed it: scheduling. I am referring to scheduling. As if the classes themselves are not stressful enough, we must worry about the exact time and place we are to take these classes because however stressful they may be, NOT taking them makes life ten times worse. If you are lucky enough to have priority scheduling, congratulations. You miss the process that makes the rest of lose sleep at night. Again, congratulations. (Read: Don’t talk to me.)
As a junior, I have gone through the process multiple times now. In fact, I scheduled right before sitting down to write this. I did get into all of the classes I need for next semester, thank you for asking, but I know not all my fellow classmates will be so lucky. As I mentioned, I’ve been around the block a few times when it comes to scheduling. Below, I have compiled a list of events that have helped me make my scheduling experience less stressful. I hope they do the same for you!
1. Get Yourself Ahead: Take a summer or winter course, even if you don’t need to time-wise. Taking that one extra course puts you three credits ahead of someone else in your major who didn’t, which puts your scheduling time at an earlier date.
2. Meet with Your Advisor: If you are not sure who your advisor is, log onto your “mywcu” account. It should be one of the first items listed. Send them an email and set up a time to meet to talk about your schedule. Even if you are fairly confidentwhich classes you need to take, ask if the mix of classes you are planning on taking is a good course load (too heavy, too light, etc). Your advisors are experts in their fields- they know what they are talking about. USE THEM. If you log onto your “mywcu” account and see “Advisor Hold” listed in red, then you absolutely must meet with them in order to have the hold removed you will not be allowed to schedule until you do.
3. Check Your Prerequisites: Before making your tentative schedule (next step listed), look in your WCU Course Catalog at each class you wish to take. Write down the pre-reqs for each interested class, and make sure you have completed each one before scheduling the class. There is nothing worse than thinking your schedule is set, only to realize you can’t take a class because you haven’t completed the necessary classes to be in that class, which can really set you behind.
4. Make a Tentative Schedule: Go onto your ‘mywcu’ account and make a tentative schedule. Look up each class, see what times they are at, and save any that might even possibly work. This way, when you go to actually schedule, you have other options listed if one class fills up. Also, make your tentative schedule a few days before you have to actually schedule, so you are not too overwhelmed. Delete all of the filled classes from your tentative schedule, and focus on the open ones only.
5. Be Flexible: If you are scheduling later in the semester, realize that you may not get all the classes you need at the exact times you want them. Be flexible! You can always try and speak to the professor of the class or department head to see if they can fit you in.
If you have any scheduling tips that I did not mention, I would love to hear them! Contact me using the information listed below.
Happy scheduling, and may the odds be ever in your favor!
Ashley M. Cantasano is a third-year student majoring in marketing and management. She can be reached at AC784683@wcupa.edu.