How to create the perfect class schedule

Along with the first day of university, exams and assignment deadlines, course registration is one of the most nerve-wracking times for students. We all want to create the ideal class schedule for ourselves, but there are many things to take into account that we sometimes forget. No need to fear! Here’s a list of things to take into account to help you make your perfect class schedule. 

Plan ahead

To me, this is the most important part of registering for courses. When registration opens, I know exactly what my schedule will look like and I don’t waste time looking for classes while course space fills up. When you know exactly what courses you’ll be taking grab the CRN for each course so you have them ready for when registration opens. (Pro Tip: use an electronic weekly planner to move around and play with your course schedule).

Consider the time of day you work best

Some people work better first thing in the morning, while others may work better in the evening or night. Use this to your advantage not only when picking courses, but when planning study time. I work better at night, so I keep my evenings and nights free for studying and writing essays. I also have the most all-around energy in the day, so courses in the afternoon work best for me.

Consider your sleep schedule

Are you an early bird or a night owl? This is a huge factor in picking courses! If you’re someone who likes to get up early, 8 a.m. classes are probably for you. The benefit of early courses is that they leave you with plenty of time in the rest of your day to do other things. If you’re like me and you love sleeping in, then afternoon classes are your new best friend. Forget about waking up at 7 a.m. every day like in high school. Book those noon classes and take your time sleeping in.

Try to schedule a day off

Hold your friends close, and your free days closer. I’ve been lucky enough to have at least one day off each semester, and I can assure you, it is hands down the best thing ever! Having a free day gives you the opportunity to get things done on your to-do list or do absolutely nothing at all. Get some studying done, pick up an extra shift at work, or have a self-care day.

Don’t overbook yourself

This is extremely important not just when making your school schedule, but for the rest of your life. Take care of yourself and try not to overwork yourself mentally or physically. When making your class schedule, keep some time for yourself to just relax, do some leisure activities, and get enough sleep every night. Also, make sure you have time to eat during or in between classes. Try to have a balance between school, work, and personal time. 

Register right away

The worst feeling is not being able to get into a course you really wanted to be in because it’s full (especially because there aren’t a lot of sections offered for every course). Wake up early so that you can be logged onto MyCampus and ready to select your courses. MyCampus is also known for lagging and being extremely slow during course registration, so you probably want to log on 10-30 minutes early.