For the majority of students (sorry freshmen), registration will take place sometime next week. This is news that will freak most students out, as registration usually involves much time spent refreshing class lists on myOswego to double-check available slots, jotting down CRNs for optimal enter time and, in the worst of scenarios, desperately emailing professors to ask for slots to be opened up.
But fear not, Oswego students. Follow this guide and you can be cruising toward a stress-free registration.
Start planning early: By the time you are reading this you should have already perused the myOswego course list page and have a general idea of what you would like to take. The more time you have to plan, the more you can optimize your schedule by weighing the different class options. Try to come up with nine or 10 possible courses to enroll in, because things are bound to change before it’s your turn to punch in the golden codes.
It may seem like an overwhelming task but there are a few ways to simplify it. One technique is to make a list of all the classes that you still need to take in order to graduate (and if you are feeling up to it, it is also beneficial to plan out classes for each remaining semester). Once that list is made, figure out which classes you still need to take have prerequisites and start by taking those classes.
Check specifics: Also keep in mind that some classes are only offered in the fall or in the spring. So if you are entering your senior year be sure to check when all your remaining classes are offered. For example if you have a creative writing major or minor, you will have to take CRW 300, which is only offered in the fall. If you haven’t taken it yet, don’t register for it for next semester you may be in trouble. There are classes like this for almost every major, so double-check before registration to see if this is the case.
Seniors: The task of registration is easier since there are usually fewer than 10 classes left to take. If you are a freshman or sophomore who has 20 or 30 more classes to take, it can be hard to determine what should take priority.
If you are not sure what classes to take, there are many factors to consider. Try to balance your schedule with classes fulfilling general education requirements and major requirements. If you take all major classes, or all Gen Ed classes one semester, your schedule will be unbalanced in future semesters.
Cater to your lifestyle: Once you figure out which classes to take, you will need to determine which sections are best for you. Of course the time is a major factor in this decision. If you are not a morning person, that 8 a.m. lecture class may not be the best idea. Times and days of classes are important of course, but it is probably even more crucial that you choose the section based on the professor. If you know certain professors are better for your learning style than others then you’ll be better off going out of your way to take classes with those instructors. If you aren’t sure about which professors are best it’s a good idea to ask around or check Rate My Professor. But keep in mind that many of those reviews should be taken with a grain of salt.
Never panic: If you don’t get into certain classes you need to take, definitely email the professor right away. Usually there are waiting lists to get into these classes and almost always a few spaces will open up. If you have a plan in advance, your registration experience will go the best it possibly can. Check the class listings the days and hours prior to your registration time, be ready to punch in those CRNs as fast as possible and just maybe you’ll end up with the perfect schedule.
