Whether your semester is nearly its end, or you are jumping headfirst into a new one, there are many factors to consider. Is the schedule manageable? Am I comfortable with dropping a class? Will I have enough credits? Will this be too overwhelming? Those are just some examples of thoughts and worries common to hear regarding scheduling. Now, don’t get me wrong: this is not a guide to the perfect schedule. Rather, this is an informational guide on how to choose a manageable schedule for your unique lifestyle.
The first piece of advice is to check major/minor requirements. I have found that I can cross-check credits with one class. For example, you could take an Intro to Biology class as a biology major, which may also count as a natural science course. This is unique to each school and major/minor, but it is worth the research! This is a way to focus your time and energy on a class that fulfills multiple requirements rather than just one specific prerequisite.
The second piece of advice is to consider time management throughout the year. Would it be easier to take a few classes each semester, including spring and summer terms rather than just winter and fall? This is a tough question to answer because it depends on housing, financial aid, time, and ultimately, mindset. Would you rather take more credits in two semesters, or lighten the load in three? Another aspect to consider is online classes throughout the summer and in-person classes during the fall/winter. This could allow the freedom of when to work on assignments if the whole year dedicated to school seems a little much.
The third piece of advice is to find credible sources for choosing the best classes. The widely known Rate My Professor platform is a good place to read reviews and comments from fellow students about their experiences with professors. Another good place to read reviews is your school’s Reddit forums. Often, there are alumni, graduate students, and upperclassmen who have heard about others’ experiences in the class and/or took the class themselves. Researching different classes can offer an expectation of what the coursework could look like to match the coursework of other classes. However, research should be taken, understood, used to make a decision, and put in the back of your head. It is rather difficult to go into a class with an expectation of who the professor is and what the class’s reputation is, and then suddenly try to clean the slate for a fresh start. Go into the class with an open mind about who the professor is and the reputation they hold. That way, it may be easier than expected or more enjoyable rather than horrible and scary. It can be difficult to enjoy a class that you went into planning to hate.
The fourth piece of advice is to consider hobbies, social life, study groups, and outside work/volunteering. A schedule can be beautifully structured yet cause havoc because you don’t take into consideration outside factors. How often do you want to go out with friends? What is your sleep schedule like? Are you going to do research, have an internship, or work? Are you a morning person, or does an 8 AM sound like torture? Do you plan on joining study groups? Have you factored in time for cleaning, eating, working out, and relaxing? Overall, consider everything that may be added to your schedule outside of school. If you plan on working, then a schedule from 9 am to 6 pm may not be the best option. However, if you love to party and want your weekends to be free, having breaks in between classes to study and a shorter Friday might be beneficial. Don’t forget that college is not your life. You also have to eat, breathe, and sleep.
Last but not least, my final piece of advice is to try and take classes that you will enjoy! College can be fun, and it should be to a degree. A lot of times, majors offer different options for requirements. Take advantage of that little bit of freedom to explore the topics that you find interesting. There is also the ability to dual major or minor in another area of interest. Both of these options allow creativity to be expressed on top of earning a degree for a future aspiration or career. There are many different types of majors as well. Do not suffocate yourself by declaring a major that does not fit your goals or interests. Every schedule will be dreaded, and it will be torture.
Overall, choose a major and a schedule that works for you! It is okay to switch majors, take a fifth year, online classes, or even a spring/summer semester, and it is okay to drop a class. Take care of yourself! Be balanced! Make a plan! Take control of your college experience and schedule!