With it now being the second half of my college semester that can mean only one thing… it’s class registration time!!
One of the first things that was told to me when going to WSU was to wake up early because that’s the only way you will get the classes you want. That terrified me!!
It’s like:
Hi welcome to WSU. You are now going to fight to the death for a chance to land a spot in Communication Law. There’s only two time slots with 20 seats open each. Good luck and “may the odds be ever in your favor”.
And if you’re wondering, YES I did just quote the Hunger Games!!
This quote definitely stands out to me when I think of registering for classes because for me it almost feels like I’m going into battle. If you want to be the victor, you better come prepared. I also just really like the Hunger Games book/movie series all together so any way to use it in my daily life I’ll take it.
Now to others I may be over exaggerating, but as a commuter I find it can be quite challenging in getting the exact schedule you want. For starters I want to not have to come in everyday because that’s not only a waste of time for me, but also a waste of gas. If I could also get my classes as close together as possible that would also be a dream because who wants a 5 hour block between two classes. Sure you could go home, but what about those 1 hour commuters? It’s not like we can walk to our dorm rooms and take a nap.
It doesn’t help either that the classes I do want tend to only be available at one time which may or may not work with my few times a week or close in proximity desires. And don’t even get me started on needing certain classes and they’re not even available.
Needless to say, this can be a very stressful time for everyone, but I think commuters have a little bit more to think about when they are deciding what to take. For example, does it ever cross your mind that someone has to make a schedule that works around their work schedule, or making sure they’re home in time to pick up their kids from school? That’s why I think more options for different class times and days, along with more of the same classes would be very beneficial because picking you classes wouldn’t be such a bloodbath.
If you’ve ever gone black Friday shopping or waited for a drop on a famous online store, then picking classes will seem very similar. So suit up, drink some coffee, have your classes ready, and type as fast as your fingers will let you.
And to reiterate…
May the odds be ever in your favor!
Committing to the Commute 
I am so happy that I am a senior and need not to concern myself with registration during this pandemic. I wish you the best of luck!
LikeLike
I wish I could say the same lol. Technically this is my fourth year of college and I should be graduating as well, but life happens and one more year isn’t the worst thing. In fact I’m sort of happy because I feel everyone who is graduating sort of got the short end of the stick with the whole pandemic.
LikeLike
Because I just registered as a senior, this was the first semester that I got first pick. But I definitely remember the stress of waking up early just to find out that I only got 2 of the five classes I needed, and then scrambling to find something else quick. I still have to figure out what makes sense around my work schedule as a commuter, which can be tricky, but I just tell my work that school always comes first. As a commuter I have also experienced those annoying hour breaks in-between and literally rushing to work straight from class. It’ll be over before we know it though! Do you work while taking classes as well?
LikeLike
School definitely comes before work for me as well and my job also understands that too which is definitely an advantage because not all jobs do that. I do have a job, but I would consider it more part-time because I only work on the weekends if they do need me. It’s nice getting a little bit of money, but not being too worried about balancing both school and a full-time job.
LikeLike
Full-time work + Full-time school + Commuting = Madness
LikeLike
Even while living on campus, registration still felt like this, so I can only imagine how exacerbated that feeling must be to do it from your home. Have your advisors been helpful in the past with getting you the schedule you want/need?
LikeLike
Yes and no. My advisor would tell me what I still needed, but said it was up to me to figure out the right schedule for myself. My advisor at times would give me a tentative schedule, but it usually never worked and would always force me to create multiple backups just in case I couldn’t get what I wanted. I stopped making schedules before going to my advising meetings because it would for some reason never work for my advisor. It’s generally a stressful time.
LikeLike
I hate class registration time. I find it hard to find a schedule that works around my work schedule. Did you get all the classes you wanted for next semester? I know we’ll be in film together!
LikeLike
I was able to get Tuesdays and Thursday’s “off” and it’s an okay schedule.
LikeLike
You hit the nail right on the head! I’am to a commuter and went through living hell to get my classes. I have to wait to take extra classes which really bums me out. Did you get the right schedule for your commute?
LikeLike
I was able to have most of my classes be back to back and not have to go on in Tuesdays or Thursdays. But things could change if I do an internship.
LikeLike
Every time it comes time to register for classes, my roommates and I all say it’s like the Hunger Games, lol. Do you have any strategies when it comes to registering for classes?
LikeLike
I would say to go to your advisor to hear what they have to say even if it doesn’t fully help you because maybe they know a class you need to take and it’s only available that semester. I would also say look a few days before at the class options to make a few different schedule scenarios, that way you have a few options to go with if the first one doesn’t work out because having to think of a whole new schedule Friday morning can be a pain.
LikeLike
I agree with the stress of registering for classes! Just this year my friends and I started renting a house about 5 minutes from campus. But because of this I wanted all my classes to be one after another so I didn’t have to drive home and sit around. Do you think the University should offer more options for our classes?
LikeLike
I think they should because not everyone can take that class at that specific time and if 80 students need it and only 20 seats are available that’s not fair. I know it’s easier said then done since we don’t have enough staff or maybe enough room, but I think there needs to be some changes about that.
LikeLike
Oh good, I’m not the only one. It’s definitely a stressful time, especially when I get told four per semester isn’t enough (even though I work full-time, sometimes two jobs). Tutoring is also difficult when the writing center is limited and either there is no tutor or the time doesn’t work for you.
LikeLike
I think 4 is totally enough especially if you’re juggling everything else. Sometimes I think they are pushing us to limits that can’t always be met and you just have to stand back and say no I need to do what’s best for my situation and not what everyone is “supposed” to be doing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know how you feel about finding the schedule that you need. I will be a commuter for the next time next semester and I am incredibly worry about it since I am forced to take a 8:15 class. However, at this rate I am just wondering If classes are actually going to happen next semester or if it will turn into online classes again.
LikeLike
Yeah I’ve been wondering the same thing about next semester too. Hopefully we’ll be back on campus.
LikeLike
REGISTRATION DAY IS THE WORST. You never get what you want, this semester I had to email a professor and beg to fit me in the course. I felt bad because that is obviously not the optimum student capacity. I think you addressed a lot of relatable things. Love your voice.
LikeLiked by 1 person