Class registration is often synonymous with stress and frustration; students are sometimes unable to get the classes they want, confused over what Miami Plan credits they still need and are finalizing their majors, minors and thematic sequences. However, I feel many students focus on the wrong things when picking classes to register. They choose ease and convenience over interest and potential benefits.
Having just completed my seventh class registration at Miami University, I have learned several key things regarding picking classes. The most important thing is to schedule classes around times when you are most productive. Some people are morning people and retain information better in morning classes and some people are night owls and don't think twice about taking a three-hour night class. Furthermore, if you have a shorter attention span or tend to get bored easily, take a Monday – Wednesday - Friday class with a shorter meeting time, versus a Tuesday - Thursday class with a longer meeting time.
Something else I have learned in regards to picking classes is do not take "easy classes." "Easy" is a subjective term and means something different to every person. In my experience, classes which I was told by other people are "easy" tend to just be plain boring. So don't take a class which is "easy" if you are not interested in the material or subject matter because you will get frustrated and feel you are wasting your time if the material is too "easy" or doesn't interest you.
It is also important to make sure that a professor who is said to be "easy" is not easy because they are disorganized, which I have found too often be the case. It doesn't matter how "easy" a class is; if the professor is constantly changing due dates, assignments and losing papers you are going to get frustrated quickly and wish you hadn't taken the course.
Another strategy I utilize when selecting classes is doing some research on the professor teaching the course I plan to enrolling. Try to take professors whose teaching styles match your learning style. I personally learn best through lectures with PowerPoint presentations so I try to take professors who utilize lectures versus small-group work or group projects.
RateMyProfessors.com can also be a helpful resource for information on teachers and the structure of courses, however it is important to keep in mind those reviews are often left by students who either really like the professor or really hate them; there's hardly ever any "in-between" or neutral ratings. Therefore, I tend to take this advice with a grain of salt.
Another registration tip I always adhere to is registering for an "extra" course in addition to the ones I need. This provides some flexibility in case you end up needing to drop a class. I usually register for an extra course so that in the event I hate one of the classes I can drop it and not be left with too few credits. If you only have 15 credits and drop one class, you are going to have 12 credits and will likely need to take a heavier course load the next semester to make up for it.
I also always try to take classes that interest me for my "electives," not random stuff I have no interest in. However, this doesn't necessarily mean you should only take classes in your field of study. If something interests you in another field, branch out and try new things! You may find an additional major, minor or thematic sequence which interests you.
The last thing I have learned in regards to class registration is don't fear the force add. Force-adds are everyone's worst nightmare but you will inevitably have to do at least one or two per academic year. I always make sure to be honest and polite when contacting an instructor for a force-add. Just explain your situation to the professor and express your interest in the course and they often will work to accommodate you. If they can't help you, they can sometimes direct you to another course which is still open.
In my experience, doing research on future courses and professors always pays off and it is worth the time to ensure a successful semester.
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