Tips for Students to Choose the Right Course

For students, the wisest advice while selecting a course is to ask them to research thoroughly. Each student has to know his limitations. This includes- but is not limited to- time, money, and the requirements for the degree plan.

With these limitations in mind, choosing courses is really a systematic process.

1) Make a realistic budget for tuition, books, and other education-related expenses for the semester. Make sure to leave a little wiggle room, and (if possible) put ten percent of this budget into the savings account and forget about it.

2) According to that budget, determine the maximum number of hours that can be afforded.

3) Locate and print a copy of the degree plan. Usually it will be from the year that you begin at the college or university. Check off the classes that have been completed.

4) With your degree plan in-hand, review the required courses first. Very few people are excited about the core curriculum, but it is necessary to graduate. If you feel that you are already familiar with many of the subjects, then check with your school's catalog to see if they offer AP, CLEP, or other academic testing for college credit. If you do not plan to test out of the core requirements, then REMEMBER TO SPREAD THE DREAD. For me, the word "science" always hissed forth unpleasantly during advisement. Whatever your academic Weakness is, do not try to get those courses over with and do not try to put them all off until last. Try to pace yourself by doing equal numbers of classes in each subject area.

5) Make a list of all classes, which match your schedule and your degree requirements. (Refer back to tip number four.) Of these classes, formulate your COURSE WISHLIST. Nine times out of ten two or more classes will conflict. When this happens, choose the class which is more important to your degree plan and/or to you. If the rest of your classes are particularly strict, then maybe you should stray from the beaten path and indulge your academic curiosity. There is also a variety of websites which REVIEW THE PROFESSORS AND COURSES, which can provide excellent tiebreakers for the stumped and frustrated enrollee.

6) Keep a list of your alternate classes. As classes begin to fill, even the third-best option may begin to look really appealing, especially during the first semester of attendance, when INCOMING STUDENTS have last dibs.

These are the necessary tips for proper planning and choosing the right course. If it sounds like work, IT IS, but it is far easier than dealing with mistakes.