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You open up the list of course offerings from your college of choice. It is page after page of very small print containing hundreds of choices. You note that there are many of the same classes offered at various times of the day on different days of the week. Often, the instructor’s name is listed as staff or adjunct. The number of credit hours available generally ranges from 1 to 5 hours per course. You need to get about 4 or 5 courses that add up to 14 to 16 hours. They must not overlap on the times that the courses are offered. Finally, they have to be selected from the courses specified for your major or be a qualified elective. The whole thing is confusing. Where do you start, and how do you make it work?

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If one is not offered, ask for an adviser.

Most colleges and universities require students, especially freshmen, to meet with an adviser to guide them through the course selection process. The adviser will also explain other things about the college and college life to the student. The advisor’s role is to use the course catalog along with the requirements for the degree in your major and help you put together a schedule that will lead to the degree. A good adviser may even map out your schedule for 2 or 3 semesters or more.

Avoid taking too many electives too soon in your college career.

Electives are built into most degree requirements for two reasons. The first is to allow students to sample courses that have little to do with their major but create an more rounded base of knowledge for the student. These courses can be taken when a person has an interest in learning about a topic but does not wish to make a career from it. The second reason for electives within the degree requirements is to give students some wiggle room. Since most people who are traditional students will change majors a time or two before settling down to one course of study, electives give you a place to put those hours from a previous major that would have been lost. By waiting to take these electives, you may be able to adjust your major without sacrificing credit hours and money.

Take upper level classes as soon as you can.

Because your degree will require more upper level classes in your major, it is important to get any prerequisites out of the way so that you can move up the ladder in your course work. As course numbers move from the 100’s to the 200’s to the 300’s and above, fewer class options are offered. In smaller colleges, some 300 and 400 level classes may not even be offered every year. You need to be prepared to take these classes at the first opportunity. This will keep you from having to come back for an extra semester or extra year. In some cases, students have had to locate the class at another institution and take it during the summer or by distance learning.

Pick classes that fit lifestyle and work schedules.

If you know that you cannot function at 7 am or after 8 pm, try not to register for classes that meet at these times. It is not always possible to get every class at an ideal time, but try to get as many as you can during the time when you are at your mental peak. Your grade point average with thank you for it. Work schedules may not allow you this luxury. If you have to work at a job that is not work study, you will have to adjust your classes to meet at times that will allow you to continue working. You may choose to get a job that does not require you to work during the time when your school offers the most classes.

Do not overcrowd your schedule.

It may look great to have classes for 4 consecutive hours and be done for the day. If you are unlucky, this could mean 4 consecutive tests on the same day without a break in between. Staggering your class schedule may feel like you are tying up too much of your day, but it will give you a chance to recover from one test before plunging into the next one. If you are able to devote full time to classes, a more spaced out schedule will keep burnout at bay for a longer time, also.

Limit the number of hours per semester.

Anytime that you decide to take more than about 16 hours per semester, it will require that you be a very dedicated student. If you are not the type of person that likes to study morning, noon, and night, overloaded schedules are not for you. As you approach 20 hours, the study load needed to maintain good grades becomes a huge burden for all but the most driven and brightest students. Carrying 20 hours at most universities is roughly the equivalent of working two 40 hour per week jobs.

Not all college teachers are created equal. The ability of the instructor to present the material can vary widely. How strictly the test answers are interpreted can be a difficulty also. Some instructors are more generous with partial credit for answers. You do not want a free pass through the classes, but there is no reason to take the course from the worst instructor in the department if you can have a choice. If you can, ask around and find students that have taken the course. Learn which instructors are considered the best teachers. Try to get into those classes. Sometimes, this means avoiding classes with the instructor listed as staff. Often, you can go to the department and get the actual name of the person assigned to that class time.