You'll register for fall courses at orientation (August), but the real work happens now: researching courses, understanding requirements, and planning your schedule. Don't show up to orientation unprepared; your advisor will expect you to have a semi-solid plan. You'll take 4-5 courses (15-16 credits typical). Choose wisely: balance gen-ed requirements, major prerequisites, and workload. Don't overload freshman year; you're adjusting to college life.
-
Access Your College's Course Catalog
- Online course catalog (usually on registrar's website)
- Search by: Department, course code, title, or keyword
- Filter by term: "Fall [Year]"
- View course details: Title, description, prerequisites, credits, meeting times, professor, seats available
-
Understand General Education Requirements
- Retrieve degree audit (you have it for orientation prep)
- List gen-ed categories: Writing, math, science, history, language, arts, etc.
- Identify how many courses you need per category
- Note any prerequisites (some gen-eds require prerequisites)
- Example gen-ed path: 1st semester → Writing I + Math + Lab Science + History + Elective
-
Identify Major Prerequisites
- Research your major's curriculum (find on college website under "[Major] Department")
- List first-year requirements: Intro courses, foundation classes
- Example: Business majors often take Intro to Business + Calculus + Accounting I first year
- Check prerequisites (does Accounting I require Calculus? Register for Calc first if so)
- Plan 4-year sequence so you don't miss prerequisites for sophomore courses
-
Create Your "Ideal Schedule"
- Make a spreadsheet: Course code, title, credits, meeting times
- Aim for 15-16 credits total (4-5 courses) first semester
- Balance: 1-2 "easy" courses, 1-2 "medium," 1 "challenging"
- Consider workload: Heavy reading course + writing-intensive course + STEM course = manageable. Three heavy courses = burnout risk
- Time preferences: Do you prefer morning or afternoon classes? (Most students say morning but register for afternoon-be realistic)
-
Check Course Details Before Registering
- Class size: Large lecture (300+ students) vs. small seminar (20 students)?
- Professor: Check Rate My Professors (read reviews; understand biases in reviews)
- Meeting format: MWF at 9 AM vs. T/Th at 1 PM vs. evening/online?
- Workload: RMP reviews mention homework intensity
- Exams: Midterm + final? Weekly quizzes? Cumulative?
-
Sample First-Semester Schedule
-
Example 1 (STEM-heavy):
- English Composition (3 credits, MWF 10 AM) - heavy reading/writing
- Calculus I (4 credits, T/Th 9 AM) - challenging math
- Biology I (4 credits, M/W 1 PM + lab Fri 2 PM) - lab, intense
- History of Civilization (3 credits, MWF 2 PM) - lecture, lighter
- Total: 14 credits (slightly light but gives breathing room freshman year)
-
Example 2 (Liberal Arts-heavy):
- Writing Seminar (3 credits, W/F 10 AM) - writing-intensive
- World Literature (3 credits, MWF 11 AM) - reading-heavy
- Philosophy (3 credits, T/Th 1 PM) - discussion-based
- Calculus I (4 credits, MWF 8 AM) - math requirement
- Intro to Psychology (3 credits, T/Th 2:30 PM) - popular, lighter
- Total: 16 credits (good mix)
-
Prepare for Registration at Orientation
- Write down course codes and CRN numbers (registration uses CRNs)
- Bring course list to advising appointment
- Advisor will help confirm prerequisites, workload balance, and any conflicts
- Ask advisor: "Is this workload reasonable for freshman year?"
- Be open to advisor suggestions; they know hidden gems and courses to avoid
-
Registration Day Protocol (At Orientation)
- Advisor reviews your plan (usually 20-30 min appointment)
- Advisor might suggest swaps if needed
- You go to registration terminal (paper form or online system)
- Enter CRN numbers in order of preference
- Computer registers you for courses on first-come, first-served basis (earlier registration = better times)
- Don't panic if popular courses are full; advisor can suggest alternatives or waitlist you