Choosing classes can be a stressful and lengthy process, especially for beginners. After eight semesters of practice I have several tips and tricks to help ease this process.

1). General Education Requirements
First things first, every student should know or at least have a list of their schools general education requirements. Usually general education requirements are set by class with about 4-6 per year. I recommend taking three or less per semester to even the workload. Pair those few gen ed classes with electives and your on your way to a successful, maybe even enjoyable semester.

2). Major/Minor Requirements
Most schools ensure students take general education courses in the first year or two and then begin to take classes for intended majors. Depending on your major, you will be required to take related electives, which may be fun to take any semester. These courses won't be taken until your sophomore or junior year.

4). Student Evaluations of Teaching
There are several ways to figure out which classes to take and some vary on which school you attend. All schools offer course descriptions that describe the scope and purpose of each class. Some schools even offer SETs (Student Evaluations of Teaching) that students fill out for classes and professors. These are extremely helpful because they are evaluations done by a variety of students who value different things and will offer different opinions about class structure and professor preferences.

4). Professor
I always choose my classes by who's teaching them. Professors can make or break a class and a semester for you. Find out if the professor is a hard grader, makes you write thirty page papers, or doesn't allow laptops in the classroomAnother valuable source on professors is ratemyprofessor.com. Students fill out similar evaluations of professors on easiness, helpfulness, clarity, and overall quality along with a written explanation for the given ratings.

5). Other
I usually chose which gen ed classes I would take, find out who is teaching them through the registrars office and find the professors on ratemyprofessor. I choose which course to take based on class meeting time and professor ratings. For elective classes I choose a couple that I think I will enjoy to balance out taking classes that are required and I know I will probably hate.

Many schools offer course selections on an allotted time schedule. If you have the last time to choose classes, the ones you want may be filled. Its best to have at least two back up classes and scheduled planned. You have at least one week to attend class, asses whether you can handle or like them, and to drop them and pick up other ones without any financial burden.

Be sure to choose at least one or two classes you will enjoy along with the usual school requirements. Make sure you know who is teaching each class and what to expect from that professor. Try to gauge the workload for the semester and keep up with it throughout the semester as to continue enjoying your classes.

Learn more about this author, Crystal L Hoyt.
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