by Allen Teal

Created on: August 04, 2009

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?

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

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