Freshman Hassles: Scheduling Classes

All college students can relate to frustration of scheduling classes, including upper classmen and freshmen. Everyone has and will experience the struggles of scheduling classes for the upcoming semester. This may seem like a simple task but it is a very significant part of one’s college experience and future career plans. It may seem like scheduling classes is such a minor decision but these courses could determine what kind of employers will hire you or separate you for others striving for the same competitive position.

Ashley Kuenzie, 21, reminisces when she was a freshman scheduling for classes. “As a freshman, I didn’t schedule any classes. My advisor did it, so it was pretty easy,” Kuenzie said. She described that scheduling classes may have been easier for her because she relied on her older sister Trisha, to tell her which classes were easiest. Little did Ashley know that what Trisha considered as an “easy A” course would be difficult for her.

Currently, Ashley Kuenzie is a senior majoring in Mass Communications/Public Relations. She plans to graduate fall semester of 2012. Looking back on her first year at Bloomsburg, she wished that she wouldn’t have waited so long to choose a major. “I was undeclared as a freshman so I didn’t really know what classes to take or what I wanted my major to be.” Kuenzie explained that it was last year when she declared her major.

However, not all freshmen are clueless or unsure of their future. Caleigh Magee, 18, is a freshman at Bloomsburg University who recently decided to change her plans of majoring in Early Childhood Education. Her brother, Kevin has a hearing disability, which became her inspiration to major in Sign Language Interpretation. Although it may seem like Magee has everything together, she still needs some assistance. “I have no idea [of what to do]. I keep receiving emails from my advisor but I don’t know how to schedule classes. So I’m going to meet with my advisor first and see what I have to take,” Magee confesses.

Before attending Bloomsburg University as a freshman, Andrea Cortese knew she wanted to major in Early Childhood Education and Special Education. She describes that her passion for special education grew after helping her childhood friend, who had Downes-syndrome. Currently, Cortese is worried about passing her Biology course because it is a prerequisite for her major. However, she is also concerned with her course schedule for next semester. “I just want to make sure I take all the right classes. I don’t want to take courses that will not count towards my major because that would be a waste of my time,” explains Cortese.

Like Cortese, there are many students who want to make the best out of their college experience. One of the best ways a student can make sure she or she has a good course schedule for the upcoming semester is to speak with an advisor.

Wayne Whitaker is the assistant director of Diversity and Retention and coordinates the Board of Governors Scholarship program. He also advises ACT101 summer freshman. Whitaker remininsces when he was in college. He explained that he didn’t take his first two years at college seriously, which resulted in his academic dismissal. Once he was given the opportunity again, he was determined to make a change. “Prior to freshman scheduling a meeting with an advisor, the advisors give the students placement tests to detect their strengths in writing, reading, and mathematics.” He mentions that freshmen need to understand the significance of having a meeting with an advisor instead of just listening to the advice of other students.

“What was hard for one student may not be hard for another,” Whitaker said. He also encourages freshman to become well-rounded students to enhance their college experience. “Your first priority here is to make good grades and to see whatever sources are out there. You do need an inside and outside class experience, relaxation, and a social life as well. I would encourage that freshman would look for opportunities to join groups that won’t take away from their academics.”

There is more to scheduling classes than one may think. It is the key to your success in the future. Don’t take your education for granted. Work hard and it will pay off. Scheduling classes can be a hassle but if a student uses the right methods and resources, it will also benefit his or her future.