Tips and tricks to navigate course registration!
June 25, 2026
I know you probably dread hearing this, but the summer time is picking up fast! We are at the point where course registrations have just begun.
As I prepare to enter my final year of university, I consider myself quite experienced with course registration. Here, I’m excited to share some valuable tips to keep in mind while selecting your courses. These are pieces of advice that would have been super helpful to me when I first started my university journey. Below are a few important factors to consider when planning your courses for the Fall and Winter semesters!
Key details to know before selecting your courses
Ontario Tech University's course registration period for the Fall and Winter semesters opens around late June. Registration will begin on June 22 and continue through July, with specific dates determined by students' earned credit hours and/or priority groups. For further details on registration start dates, view the the link below.
This page covers important tips, including checking your email for registration updates and knowing your earned hours before your registration window opens.
What are students’ credit hours?
Credit hours reflect the total hours you've accumulated throughout your degree journey. The undergraduate course registration window opens at different times throughout the week, depending on the number of earned hours. For instance, a student with 109 or more hours will have an earlier registration time than a first-year student. Typically, registration dates are organized in descending order of credit hours.
Please note: If you are a graduate student, your registration dates are not based on earned hours or student name. The table on the registration start days page will specify the exact dates when you can select your courses.
To confirm your earned hours, visit the link below:
You need to make sure that the day you choose to select your courses is based on your earned credit hours so far; otherwise, you will be unable to select your courses prior to that date.
What are priority groups?
Students under Student Accessibility Services receive early accommodations, and varsity athletes have earlier access to course registration, so their course registration dates will differ from those of other students.
Start with Ontario Tech’s course registration guide!
View the link below to access the course registration guide:
Fall and winter course registration guide
Under the Current Student page on MyOntarioTech, navigate to the course registration section, where you'll find the Course Registration Guide tab.
Once I selected my desired academic period, the above page appeared. Each faculty is neatly organized into its own section. For the purpose of this blog, I will focus on the Social Science and Humanities (FSSH) tab.
I chose the option I am a returning or re-admitted student. Depending on the student's status, you can select the relevant category to continue the registration process. What I really like about Ontario Tech's website is its organized layout. When you click on the various drop-down tabs, they guide you through the necessary steps to access your student email, view announcements, and check your registration, all with direct links to lead you exactly where you need to go. This way, you won't have to worry about getting lost.
Registration guide for returning students
This is a helpful guide for returning students regarding the registration process. It’s crucial to remember that the registration window opens at different times based on your earned credit hours. If you're uncertain about your current earned hours, you can check the box in the top right corner for instructions on how to view them. Once you have this information, you'll be able to determine your specific time for selecting courses.
At the bottom of the 2026-2027 Registration guide for FSSH, there is an overview of available programs, with specific registration details for each program available in this faculty. For the purpose of this blog, I chose psychology!
Check out your program map
The image below shows the program map for forensic psychology intended for students entering their second, third, or fourth year. Throughout university, I often referred to this program map to ensure I was not missing any essential courses or electives required for my degree.
I want to emphasize that you are not obligated to follow this program map as presented; feel free to make any necessary adjustments, as long as you are getting all required credits.
If you plan to implement specific changes to your course schedule that deviate from the program map, it’s important to talk with your Academic Advisor. They can clarify your course requirements and ensure you are on track to graduate within your desired timeframe.
Meet with an Academic Advisor before selecting courses!
As I mentioned earlier, please contact your Academic Advisor! This is especially important if your courses do not align with your available program outline. The program map I shared is just a brief overview and not a complete one. If you're interested in viewing the full program map, as shown in the image below, you can find a link on the same page.
This comprehensive program map allows you to assess your academic journey across all four years. By looking at it, you can determine whether this path aligns with your goals or requires adjustments. For instance, if you prefer not to take a particular course in the fall but wish to take it in the spring, look into that option! Additionally, consider whether you want to take a full course load (three or more courses).
Why should you connect with your Academic Advisor?
- Helpful in ensuring that your course selections align with your program requirements and help you stay on track for graduation. This support is especially helpful if you are pursuing a minor or a double major.
- Help you confirm that you've completed the necessary prerequisites before progressing to upper-level courses.
- Offer recommendations for creating manageable schedules tailored to your needs. For instance, if you wish to avoid an excessively heavy course load or lab-intensive classes, you can help yourself with these by dispersing courses across semesters, provided they are available in both terms.
Check out the available electives you can take!
The link below is for faculty-specific electives for Social Science and Humanities. Be sure to check out other faculty's available electives if you're interested.
The link below is to all Ontario Tech electives available for Fall and Winter 2026-2027.
Selecting electives can be a challenging task for me. Our elective options may seem limited, so it's essential to check the university's electives webpage. There, you will discover a wide array of courses available for the upcoming fall and winter semesters. Depending on your program, you might have the opportunity to enroll in both a general elective and a faculty elective.
General Electives
- These are courses that are not mandatory for your program and can typically be taken without restrictions.
Faculty Electives
- These courses are offered by a specific faculty and are not required for your program. Many programs may require you to take an elective from within your faculty. However, it's crucial to look at your program map for confirmation.
Use Plan Ahead
If you prefer to see what your schedule could look like before course registration, I recommend using the university’s Plan Ahead feature. This feature lets you create mock schedules to map out your upcoming semesters.
Look into the professors teaching the course you’re interested in
I can't emphasize this enough: it's important to find out who is teaching the courses you plan to take. The experience can vary significantly. Therefore, it’s smart to reach out to former students who have taken the course to know what to expect. Additionally, consider resources like Rate My Prof.
However, keep in mind that you shouldn't base your entire decision solely on reviews, as they can sometimes be biased. Each professor has their own expectations and teaching styles that may not always align with every student. While you may have limited options for mandatory courses, be sure to explore electives where you have more flexibility. After all, I can imagine you’re taking an elective for an easy A!
Search the courses you're taking!
2026-27 Undergraduate Academic Calendar
This link can direct you to the 2026-2027 undergraduate academic calendar, where you can search for available courses and their descriptions. As you can see in the image below, it provides an overview of the course, credit hours, lecture hours, and prerequisites for eligibility.
How do I register for my courses?
Now you may be wondering how to actually register for courses.
Under MyOntarioTech and after clicking the undergraduate student tab, current students can navigate to this page by clicking My Academics, then selecting Course Registration. From that point, simply click on Add or Drop Courses Online to proceed.
To avoid any lagging or delays, they suggest you log in to register 30 minutes before the start time.
Don't forget the registration contract!
Many students are unaware of this when they initially select their courses. It's a common mistake often made in the first year, and I sometimes forget about it as well! Before you can access course planning or registration, you must first provide your program information and agree to pay fees while following the university policies. This serves as your registration contract. And this contract usually appears when you’re registering for courses, so make sure you click “I agree.” After that, you can proceed with selecting your courses!
Want to know how much your semester is going to cost?
Under my Ontario Tech → Current student → My finances → Payment and refunds
By following these steps, you are able to view your account summary and account detail by term to know exactly how much your semester is going to cost. They provide a breakdown of all the costs, including your tuition and any ancillary fees.
Important steps for OSAP application and course planning
If you're considering applying for OSAP, make sure to do so at least six weeks before the semester begins. For your own peace of mind, avoid submitting your application during the first week of classes.
Class scheduling
Reflect on your preferences for class times:
- Do you favor morning, afternoon, or evening classes?
- Remember, you have the flexibility to structure your schedule to suit your needs, so take advantage of that!
Assess your capacity
Consider how much you can realistically manage:
- What is your capacity? Is your course load heavier than usual?
- Do you want a full course load (three or more classes) or would you prefer to be part-time (two or fewer)?
Financial planning
Determine how you will finance your courses:
- Will it be through OSAP, your parents, scholarships, or bursaries?
Balancing work and extracurriculars
- I understand many of you are juggling work or extracurricular activities, so evaluate how much you can handle effectively.
Additional options
- There’s always the option to take certain courses in the spring or summer, but keep in mind that availability may be limited. Additionally, graduate programs may have specific requirements regarding the number of courses you need to take each semester to maintain a competitive GPA, especially for fields like medical school.
Have more questions?
I’m sure there’s something I didn’t cover that you may need more information on. Below is a link to frequently asked questions about course registration. Hope this helps. Good luck with your course registration!
