It’s June and that means that universities are beginning to invite new students to select their courses for next year. Depending on the university and program, students may have a lot of choices to make or none at all. So, if you’re heading off to university in September or just curious about the process, here are some tips to help you choose courses that will make your first year at university a greater success.
Know Your Options
Students in certain programs will have more options than others. For instance, if a student is heading to Queen’s for Engineering or Commerce, all of their courses are picked for them already, but for most programs, it isn’t quite this straightforward. Some programs have four required courses or none at all. So, the first step is to check your program to see what you need to take in the first year. Be sure to explore special degree options, like for Arts at UBC where you can do Arts One, Coordinated Arts, or select your own arts courses.
Look Beyond First Year
Don’t just look at what is required in the first year but check out what courses are prerequisites for the remaining years of your program. Be sure to take a careful look at what courses are needed for a major in that subject and what options you may have for a minor. Learn what major, minor, prerequisite even mean!
Opportunity to Learn and Try Something New
There are many courses you’ve been taking since Grade 2 … but now you can choose from a variety of courses on a range of subjects that will open your eyes and mind to new ideas and new ways of thinking. Consider courses that can help you be successful at university — study skills and computer skills, for example. You may be majoring in Biology, but that doesn’t mean you can’t take an Art History or Philosophy class just because.
Do Your Research
Regardless if you are selecting ten courses or just two electives, do your research. Look into what careers you can pursue with your major, talk to people you know who are currently studying at the university, spend time exploring course descriptions on the university’s course calendar, and research course instructors.
Be Prepared
Be sure to check out your university’s guide for new students and course registration. Watch a webinar or sign up for an advising session in advance. Go into the course registration portal and play around with mock timetables before your assigned day and time. That way you can have some backups in case a course is full when you register.
What Works for You
Are you a morning person or an afternoon person? Do you want to go to the gym before or after classes? Do you like to have a big lunch or skip lunch altogether? Be sure to plan a schedule that is likely to work best for you, so you don’t start the year off skipping your 8:30 am required course lecture. Don’t forget to register for labs and/or tutorials, too!
Changes are Possible
You can make changes as not all your courses are fixed in stone. Watch out for add/drop dates, so you’ll know the deadlines for making changes to your schedule. If there is a course you wanted to take but it was full, be sure to get on the waiting list as there is movement and change within the first two weeks of classes.
From June to August, students will be selecting their first-year courses, depending on the university. So, enjoy the research and be sure to remember your assigned date and time — be there! It can be a little tricky to navigate this process so be sure to reach out to us at Options if you would like some support.
