How to Choose College Courses

21Oct08

So many classes, so little time. How will you know which classes best suit your interests and needs?

1. Find out the specific unit requirements of your college. It’s important to know how many classes are requirements and how many are electives.

2. Thumb through the course catalog and make a list of courses that interest you. Divide them into 3 categories: major, core and elective.

3. Choose core classes and classes for your major first, as these offer the least flexibility. Consider meeting with your advisor to find out which core classes you must take for the major or majors that interest you.

4. Choose electives once you know how many elective units you can take and once you’ve chosen core and major classes.

5. Ask older students or your advisor about the professors who will be teaching the courses you’re considering. Even the most fascinating-looking material can put you to sleep if the professor can’t teach.

6. Sit in on more classes than you’ll end up taking, for at least the first few days of the term. This way you can see what you like before committing for an entire term.

7. Drop the classes you don’t like or need, and continue attending each class you find interesting, even if you are not yet enrolled. Persistence can pay off.

Tips & Warnings:

- If you are interested in a class but it is already full, place yourself on the waiting list or “crash” the course. This means you attend it without being registered and attempt to get in when others drop the course.

- Try to find courses that not only interest you but can also count for more than one requirement; a class that counts both toward your major and the core curriculum can buy you an extra elective. Also, find out how long you can remain undeclared. You don’t have to choose a major right away.

- If a lousy professor is teaching an interesting class, find out when it will next be offered and who will be teaching it. It may be worth the wait.

- Don’t be put off by a demanding syllabus; high-workload courses are often the best learning opportunities.

- Try not to overload yourself with too many units, especially during freshman year. Avoid taking more than two reading-intensive or problem-solving courses in one semester or quarter, and give yourself room to try out extracurriculars and develop a social life.

- Avoid taking too many electives early in your college career. This will limit you down the line, when your interests may change.

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