While registering for college courses, you might have some guidelines to go by, but you are generally considered on your own during this time. Despite the fact that there are few rules governing how you choose the courses at your school, you can avoid feeling overwhelmed by using a few tools at your disposal. For example, consider the requirements for both your major and students in general, as most schools have at least a few courses that just about every student has to take. You should also try to strike a balance between hard and easy classes, since overloading your schedule with just one type can have negative effects. Finally, consider aspects other than the topic of the course, such as the reputation of the professor, as well as the time of the class.
The majority of colleges require that students take at least a few writing and math classes before graduating. You should be sent a course catalog before registration, which should list the core classes that are required of every student. You should also take your major into account, as that will provide a general guideline of the required college courses. Most schools assign a guidance counselor to students, so if you have any questions about the classes that you are expected to take for your major, you are advised to contact this person. If you have not yet settled on a major, check out the required college courses for the top few degree programs that you are considering, and take the classes that they seem to have in common.
It is important to avoid overloading yourself with classes that are difficult or time-consuming. For example, if you need to take several science courses that include a lab, try to space them out so that you only take one per semester. The same goes for classes that involve lots of reading each week. Taking one or more easy college courses per semester can prevent you from getting burnt out, offering a balance between school and either work or internships for your degree program.
Aside from considering the subjects of the college courses that you plan to take, you should think about the people teaching them. It is no secret that some professors tend to be tougher than others, often grading harshly and displaying high expectations for all students. While having a couple of professors like this is not necessarily bad or even avoidable, taking several classes presided over by such teachers can be difficult. Before you make your class schedule, consider the reputation of those teaching the courses so that your workload does not feel unbearably hard. Additionally, make sure that the college courses you choose are scheduled at a time that you can handle, as extremely early or late classes are not feasible for everyone.
