It's that time of year again that all underclassmen, especially me, dread. We, once again, have to schedule for next quarter. Scheduling is one of the major headaches for college students as we scramble to create the perfect schedule that allows us to graduate in four years (I hope,) sleep in and have Fridays free.
I am the person who looks at class openings right after I pick up my DARS report and creates a dream schedule. Then I check the course openings every week and panic every time classes start to fill. I sit and plead with my computer screen. Why don't you people take other classes? I ask it. Look
Psychology 101 is open go take that class instead of my spot.
This quarter has been no exception, when one of my classes was temporarily closed because the professor might not be able to teach it. I now have to check the course openings every day to see if the class has been opened or canceled.
So as I wait with bated breath and in between checking the Internet, I want to share some tips I have picked up to try to beat the scheduling blues.
Never give up. Just because a class is full doesn't mean you can't find some way to take it. You might have to drag in a bench or sit on the floor, but at least you'll be there.
Always go in person and beg. Don't e-mail a professor about the possibility of a pink slip. If you go to their office personally and beg, it's much harder for them to say no.
Always turn in a pink slip immediately. Don't wait until the next day because it might not be valid anymore or you might lose it. The only thing more humiliating than begging to get into a class is begging a second time.
Sometimes you can make friends with upperclassmen who have more credit hours. These friends will sometimes be able to save a spot for you weeks before you and your RAC have TRIPS time.
Never stop checking the course offerings. Students will sometimes sign up and then later drop out if they get a pink slip into a better class. You should check even during breaks, so when you're on the beach this spring break, don't forget to check.
Always go on the first day of class, even if you're not registered or the professor says there are no seats. Many times professors will try to scare students away on the first day by describing how hard and involved the class will be. Then after 20 people drop the class, you can get in. Of course, at this point you might be reconsidering taking the class yourself.
Remember, if you don't get into a class this quarter, there is always next quarter or the next. You can also always dream of someday in the distant future when you will be one of the lucky few that get to schedule first.
I want to wish everyone (especially freshmen) good luck, unless you are the one who is trying to take my spot. In that case, please go and sign up for Psychology 101.
Gest is a sophomore journalism major. Send her an e-mail at jayne.guest@ohiou.edu
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Jayne Gest
