Add a Class, Drop a Class, Shop a Class

With the last day to add or drop classes fast approaching, there is no better time to think about shopping classes. You still have until January 30 to sit in on some of the cool classes Brandeis University has to offer like Music and Ecstasy, The Art of Flirtation, and Man in Space. As a senior, I can say that shopping classes has allowed me to learn more about my own interests and push my boundaries.
 
When you sit in on a class, you have the opportunity to sift through different course options that
 the school has to offer and you are given TWO weeks to do so! Think about it this way, for two weeks you do not have to make ANY commitment to any course. Professors don’t really count attendance during the shopping period, so don’t be discouraged from joining a class a week and a half into the semester. As long as you catch up with the work and keep up with the class throughout the rest of the semester, your professors will be fine.
 
From personal experience, I know that trying out new classes and sitting in on classes, even if it was for just one class, allowed me to expose myself to the diverse student body at Brandeis. Last semester, I tried out Introduction to Political Theory, and though the vibe of the class did not jive well with me, I did end up meeting a few cool people. I also found out that I was no longer interested in survey classes, I wanted to take a class that went a bit more in depth on a subject matter. This made it a lot easier for me to pick classes for this semester.
 
The shopping period also allows you to re-evaluate your course load. It gives you enugh time to assess whether or not it’s a good idea to take on five courses or three really intense science classes and a lab. You get an opportunity to get a feel for the amount of work each class requires and if it’s a manageable amount in order for you to have a healthy and minimally stressful semester.
 
As I’ve mentioned before, the shopping period is probably the best thing that Brandeis has to offer, so make sure that you really take advantage of it while you still can! You only have a few days left!