By Paige Botjer

One of the most stressful things for college students is picking the right classes. We’ve all been in that situation where we take classes that aren’t needed—for our general education requirements or for our major—or that we know will not represent well on those transcripts. The process isn’t all that simple and time and time again, I hear of students all around campus struggling with picking their classes for the next semester. Let’s break this difficult process into a few steps that are a lot easier to understand.

First, you have to ask yourself these questions: Is this class in my major? Does this topic interest me? Do I need this course to graduate? How does this class help me in the long run?

Second, take a look at the classes on your own before you go in with your advisor. It is always better to be prepared rather than blind sighted. Each major has a guide to the requirements that need to be met before any student can graduate. Make sure that you’re familiar with these requirements! It could mean the difference between graduating in May and graduating in December.

Generally each student needs 48 credits of general education—double majors and art majors actually need less. Take the general education classes right off the bat. I can’t imagine how many seniors who would like to take classes with a bunch of freshmen. Also, make sure that you have filled in all of the requirements for general education before you decided to throw out that lovely colored paper that your advisor gives you! You will need to take classes in all five categories and yes, which do include the sciences!

Is this class in my major? Major classes are always the most important classes to take and you should consider them first before you decide which elective to take.

Does this topic interest me? If a class doesn’t interest you, it’s not worth your time. I spent one semester struggling with a business class. I took it as an elective just to fill a spot but it wasn’t worth it because I couldn’t grasp any of the information. If you’re not interested in a topic, you’ll find yourself in an uphill battle rather than just an easy A.

How does this class help me in the long run? What are your goals in the long run? If you’re a business major but have interests in music, then music classes might be beneficial for you even if they stem far outside you’re major.

Do I need this course to graduate? Don’t take unnecessary courses! You will end up wasting your time and your money. Ultimately, your goal as a college student is to graduate on time. By taking classes that are unnecessary, you will be stuck in school trying to complete the requirements that you hadn’t finished on time.

And last but not least, don’t feel overwhelmed! This isn’t as hard as it has to be as long as you keep your head up high and do the research, you’ll be sure to graduate in four years!