2. Note About My Schedule Planning
• Before I begin this video completely I want to
warn you that this will take several sessions on
your part to complete.
• Because schedule planning is so difficult I am
breaking it down into sessions meant to be done
a few hours to a day apart.
• Don’t use this method, or tweak it, if you don’t
have the amount of time it needs. This method is
very research heavy!
3. Things You Need
• Computer
• A few copies of your schools Master Class
Schedule
• General Education Check sheet (if you are still
taking some Gen Ed classes)
• Major/Minor check sheets
• Paper/pencils/pens
• Campus Map
4. Session One
• During the first session you will not be writing
anything down on your schedule. It is just a
brainstorming session.
• During this session ask yourself these questions:
▫ What time of day do I want to take classes? (I say this
because sometimes it’s easier to pick classes when you
have a time of day narrowed down before you begin)
▫ What classes do you want to take? (Have your first
picks down, and a few back up picks incase some of
your top picks don’t work out due to scheduling, or
people entering them before you do.)
5. Session Two
• During this session you need to research all the
classes you put on your paper.
• Have a sheet for all the classes you wrote down and
write the following things down about each class
offered for the class you want to take (within the
hours you want to go to class)
▫ The Registration Number
▫ The Teacher
▫ The Building/Room Number
▫ How Many Students Have Registered/How many
Spots Total
▫ Time of class
6. Session Three
• During this session you want to log on to
RateMyProfessors, or go to a knowledgeable
friend/upperclassmen.
• Either look up the professors for the classes you want to
take, or ask a friend about the best teachers for the
classes you want to take or what they think or heard
about the teacher you want to take.
• If you know someone that has the major of the class you
are taking, talk to them. They may have had the teacher,
or at least know someone who did and will be able to
assist you better.
• Write down notes on each teacher you look at, so you can
remember what you found out later.
7. Session Four
• During this session you will actually plan your
schedule.
• After you have done all the research you need to do,
you need to bring it all together.
• Mark an x beside the teachers that you don’t want to
take. A Check X besides the teachers you’d be okay
taking, and a check beside the teachers you want to
take.
• On the first schedule you want to make your dream
schedule. This is the schedule you would have if all
the stars aligned and you had the perfect schedule.
8. Session Four Continued
• Then, you have to be sort of realistic on the second
schedule. Change around the schedule to fit the
classes that will be kind of hard to get into: the ones
with only a few spots left, the popular general
education classes, or your major classes.
• Then on the next schedule, you need to make a
schedule that is the if the stars don’t align at all
schedule. The schedule where you kind of put the
classes that are your last ditch effort at a good
schedule. The schedule you’d have if you absolutely
have to.
9. Procrastinator’s Guide to Scheduling
• Sometimes you don’t have the schedule you want because you
procrastinate, or you’re the last of the last to register. I know how
you feel, last semester I was the last of the Freshmen to register, and
it sucked. So I waited to do all of my scheduling the day before so I
wouldn’t be disappointed. It was hectic, but it was done. Here are
some tips to waiting to the last minute.
▫ Don’t do everything last minute, at least have a semi-goal of the classes
you want to take. It will make it so much easier once you actually start to
schedule.
▫ Keep optimistic about your schedule, it does suck because you have to
wait so long, but if you keep a good head on your shoulders, you will get
the classes you need. Or at least be okay with the classes you have.
▫ Your last name may be the last to register, but you are not the last to
register. You will find classes, so many people will register after you.
Unless you are that unlucky, you will not be the last to register.
10. Tips on Keeping Your Cool During
Scheduling
• As a person who has planned schedules a few semesters, I am
aware that it can be very hard on you. Here are some tips
▫ Don’t do it alone. Go with a friend to the library, and schedule
together. It is nice to have an ear to listen to you when
scheduling.
▫ Take breaks. I made this have many different sessions so that it’s
not overwhelming. It is important that you don’t do your entire
schedule in a day, it might work—but you will be frustrated by the
end of it all.
▫ If your favorites don’t happen, don’t fret. You take every professor
you end up with for a reason. Don’t let the fact that you didn’t get
the teacher you want, stop you from enjoying the teacher you got.
▫ Be happy in knowing that you are having this frustrating
moment, there are so many kids who would die to have the
education you are getting. Don’t forget that.