By Brianna Wallen
News Editor
A few clicks during registration can shape an entire semester, making preparation and advising meetings crucial for students trying to stay on track for graduation.
Meredith Sinclair, the faculty director of Academic Advising and an associate professor in the English department, shared strategies to help students avoid common mistakes and build their desired schedules.
“My best advice would be to see your adviser as soon as you can for appropriate advising,” Sinclair said. “The Summer and Fall schedules will be out on March 1, so set your appointment for early to mid-March.”
Sinclair explained that students meeting with their adviser is only the first step.
“If you are at 60+ credits, you should have each semester mapped out between now and graduation. That way, you don’t end up with surprises at the end,” Sinclair said.
Sinclair recommends that students lean on their adviser for help in order to prevent any misunderstandings.
Advisers can help map out general education requirements, writing intensive courses, major requirements, cognates and electives.
“Your adviser should be able to help you prioritize your must takes,” Sinclair said. “If there’s a must take like a course that is part of a sequence, make sure to build your schedule, including work or extra curriculars, around that.”
Students can find their assigned adviser in Banner Student and should also meet with any secondary advisers, such as those for minors.
According to the university’s website, registration will open in phases based on credit level.
Graduates, post baccalaureates and seniors accepted to a graduate program may register March 30 at 8 a.m.
Seniors register March 31 at different times based on credits, followed by athletes, honors students and students registered with the Disability Resource Center at 4 p.m.
Juniors register on April 6, Southern Educational Opportunity Program students on April 7, sophomores on April 8 and freshmen on April 16.
Graduate non-degree students register April 20 and undergraduate non-degree students April 23.
Sinclair said that students being aware of their class registration dates in advance allows them to prepare schedules, and meet with advisers.
This gives students a better chance at securing required courses.
Before choosing classes, Sinclair highlights that students should be aware of a new policy that affects financial aid.
“The biggest new policy is that we will begin enforcing the CPOS federal financial aid policy around minors,” Sinclair said. “Minors, unless required by a major, are not eligible for federal financial aid.”
Due to the Course and Program of Student Eligibility policy, Sinclair recommends that students who are receiving federal aid should speak with their adviser early to determine how a minor fits into their degree plan and available elective space.
As students plan their schedules, Sinclair said it is important for them to include backup options, as course availability can be unpredictable.
“Ideally, you should have six to 10 courses that would all work to complete your schedule,” Sinclair said.
This is especially important for students who have not yet reached 60 credits and will be in the last round of selections.
Frustration and anxiety is often associated with the class registration process, as many students have failed to enroll in their desired classes or have experienced malfunctions with the website.
To ease their anxieties, Sinclair offered students advice and resources to help guide them.
For students who have experienced problems with enrolling in required major courses, Sinclair said understanding the full academic map can help to ease their frustration.
“If you are unable to get into a course that your adviser has told you is a must take for you next term, get on the waitlist and reach back out to your adviser for guidance,” Sinclair said.
Even though the waitlist is not a guaranteed solution, Sinclair said that it is a temporary hold while students register for one of the alternative courses they discussed with their adviser.
Sinclair recommends becoming familiar with Schedule Planner in order to build potential course combinations in advance and keeping the registration PIN accessible.
Advisers will not provide a PIN on the day of registration if a student has not attended an advising appointment.
Beyond the registration process, Sinclair said many students overlook the importance of building a long-term graduation plan and using general education and elective courses intentionally.
“I think the biggest thing folks don’t do is to really build their map to graduation,” Sinclair said. “Once you hit 60 credits, you really need to do it.”
Sinclair noted that faculty advisors, the professional advising team and the Advising Office can help students explore majors, plan minors and discover coursework that aligns with their academic and career goals.
For students who have not previously participated in this process before, Sinclair said that visiting OneStop is also helpful.
With careful planning, awareness of registration dates and use of campus resources, students can navigate registration with less anxiety and stay on a clear path to graduation.
