One of the most stressful things a college student has to deal with every semester is deciding what classes to take. Credits, time, length, professors, and many other factors play a huge role in this decision-making process. Outside of school, there are jobs, families, and other responsibilities around which students have to plan. Before finalizing your schedule for the next semester, ask yourself the following questions.
What are your other obligations? Many students work a part-time or full-time job to pay for tuition, books, rent, etc. Before scheduling your classes, verify what your upcoming work schedule will look like for the entire semester. Furthermore, if you are a member of a club, Greek life, or any other on-campus group, make sure your classes will not overlap with any potential meetings or events. Online classes are an option for those who don’t wish to commute to campus every day. Seeking a balance between work and school commitments can help alleviate the stress of being overloaded and give you adequate time to complete homework.
Will this class benefit your future career? Classes that are writing-intensive or focus on other skills are excellent to add to your portfolio and resumé when it’s time to apply for jobs. While education is important to a potential employer, having proficiencies specific to the industry in which you want to work can help your resumé stand out from the rest. For example, if you plan on entering the marketing industry, knowing basics on Photoshop and other graphic design programs, social media tools, content writing, etc. show that you will be a valuable asset to a company.
Will you graduate on time? While it is important to not overload your schedule with credits, it’s equally as important to not have a light schedule. Most students plan on graduating within four years, and the general rule is to take around 15 credits each fall and spring semester. If this seems like a lot to you, summer classes are an alternative. But be warned! Summer classes tend to go at a faster pace since the summer semester is shorter. Some degree programs are also set up to take longer than four years to complete, so research how your specific major is programmed to get a better understanding of when your expected graduation date will be.
Creating the ideal class schedule may seem like an impossible task. Having obligations outside of school can create time conflicts and trying to take a bunch of classes at once will only cause infinite amounts of stress. However, if you can plan ahead what your future commitments will be, take classes that will enhance your skills and resumé, and stay on track for your graduation date, the perfect class schedule is totally within reach.