So far, I've created three semester schedules. And so far, I've had no 8am classes or Friday classes. Being able to sleep in and have a long weekend just make the school week so much more enjoyable! This was my schedule first semester of my freshman year:
Choosing classes can be stressful, but here are some tips on how to schedule your classes like a pro:
1. Do Your Research!As soon as your registration time comes around you want to have all your classes ready in your shopping cart, waiting to be officially "enrolled". That means that a considerable amount of work needs to be put in before you register so that you can have your ideal schedule already created.
Doing research can include visiting an academic advisor to find out what classes to take for the semester, going on Ratemyprofessor.com to see ratings of different professors, looking at the IU Grade Distribution website to see what the average grade for a specific class (it sorts by class, professor, and semester), and searching through OneStart to see what classes are available for the semester at what times/locations so you don't have a schedule where you have to run from one end of campus to the other in 15 minutes (DON'T be that person).
When the scheduling process starts, some classes (i.e. the later times) fill up so quickly that by the time some people can register there are no sections available. However, there still is a chance you can get into the class if you put yourself on the waitlist!
Every semester I have to put myself on at least one waitlist in order to create the ideal schedule. I've had to register for an 8am section of a class, but I also put myself on the waitlist for the same class at a later time. Fortunately, I've always gotten off the waitlist before the semester begins! A lot of times they expand the class size or open up new sections in order to accommodate the students on waitlists. So don't give up hope if the class is full!
Unfortunately, something that comes along with no early classes or Friday classes are night classes. If you really don't want to have a class at 7:00pm on a Thursday night, then you might have Friday classes. Courses that have a lecture and discussion component usually have the lecture two days a week and the discussion one day a week. Most discussion classes are offered all day Friday, but some classes also offer Thursday night discussions. To me, having a 4-day week was worth having a Thursday night class. It was not my favorite class to go to because of the inconvenient time, but I would definitely do it again.
*Special Note*If you're in the Kelley School of Business AND the Hutton Honors College, then congratulations. You've hit the jackpot when it comes to classes! Both Kelley and Hutton tend to only offer classes two days a week (M/W or T/Th), so Friday classes aren't even a possibility some of the time!
For more information on the IU Grade Distribution website and Rate My Professor, check out these posts!- How to Schedule Classes Like a Pro
- Tips on Registering for Classes
- Five Tips for Scheduling Classes at IU
