Advice on Choosing Classes
Bennet gives some recommendations on choosing courses for incoming students at Carleton.
Bennet gives some recommendations on choosing courses for incoming students at Carleton.
Hey people!
I want to congratulate the accepted students of Carleton College’s Class of 2027! Because of this exciting news, I find it helpful to follow up with more advice on choosing courses as you will soon start college this fall. This blog is a follow-up to my previous blog, which talked about my experience choosing classes for the Winter term of 2023.
I wrote about priority numbers and how to predict what classes you can get into. Aside from that, communicating with peers and advisers, researching, and waitlisting for courses are just as important in choosing classes at Carleton.
Speak to your advisor
Before you arrive on campus, you will pre-register for three courses worth 18 credits. But, these courses are only final once you meet with your advisor during New Student Week. The first meeting is crucial because it is a chance for your advisor to meet you and look at your chosen courses. Your advisor will help you decide whether to keep the courses you already chose or change them.
Whether you are confident or not sure about the courses you chose, meeting with your advisor is so important because they have expertise in working with students.
Talk to your peers
When you arrive on campus, you will be bombarded with a lot of information from Carls about cool classes to take, class schedules, majors, and so on.
I suggest listening to advice from other people. Otherwise, you could make some bad decisions. But also, filter the information through your own biases. You will make errors and learn from them as you progress.
Do research
The registrar’s website is the best destination for everything you need to know before registering for a class at Carleton. I suggest checking out the first-year student page.
Also, read the admissions blog! Lessons learned from the experiences of other Carls can help you make better decisions.
Waitlist for classes
If you have read my winter term registration blog, you must have noticed me babbling about not getting into the swim class I wanted. But because of the waitlist, I’m currently in the class and actually had a practice session today. Someone dropped the class a few weeks before the start of the Winter term, and the course tutor permitted me to register!
The likelihood of getting into a class from a waitlist varies
depending on priority number, class year, course level, and whether someone decides to drop that class. But, it is highly advisable to always waitlist for courses you wish you got into during registration.
Final remarks
Don’t be afraid to make your own decisions because that’s what college is about! You can definitely make mistakes, and change your mind about courses. But you will learn from them and help others based on your experience. So have fun with it.
Bennet is from the town of Bamenda, Cameroon. He is currently undecided but looking forward to a double major in Computer Science and CAMS (Cinema and Media Studies). Aside from blogging, Bennet also works for the Office of International Student Life as a Peer Mentor. On campus, he is part of the African and Caribbean Association (ACA), Men’s Club Soccer, and serves as the Public Relations Officer for Men of Color (MOC). He likes spending his free time reading nonfiction books, working out, watching movies, and hanging out with friends.