Ask a Trojan: Class Schedules

Hi there! Thanks for the great question - picking classes can be both an exciting and slightly stressful time. Here are my tips for you:

1) Know the requirements

I’m talking about General Ed requirements, Freshman requirements, major requirements, etc. You should also talk to your major advisor, as they may have suggestions on what your first semester schedule should look like. Also, as a freshman, you will have to take a General Education Seminar (GESM) and Writing 150 the first year.

My advice for GESM is to pick something that really interests you. All of the GESM classes are seminar-style with a maximum of 19 students, so participation is key. I took GESM 130: Introduction to Education - Examining Critical Issues with Paula Carbonne. I strongly recommend it - she is one of the kindest and most caring professors I had last semester, and the class really challenges you to reflect upon your own experiences with education. We also had the opportunity to apply our learning outside of the classroom through fieldwork observations at local elementary schools.

Writing 150 has a reputation for being quite challenging, so you should sign up for one that truly interests you. I recommend researching your professor because they can drastically impact the way your writing class is being taught. I’m taking it next semester - so maybe I’ll see you there!

If your major has a language requirement, you will want to complete that as soon as possible. If you took a foreign language in high school, you may be able to fulfill your requirement with AP credit or a placement test. Personally, I love USC’s foreign language programs (but I’m an EALC major, so I’m a little biased). If you have room in your schedule and want to try something new, consider trying a new language!

2) Complete your GE requirements

If you have AP credit, some of them may fulfill certain general ed requirements.  Also, know that some GE classes can count for multiple categories (ex: IR 210 fulfills both GE-C and GE-G).  It’s also possible that your major classes may overlap with your GE classes - if that is the case, pick your classes accordingly.

All of this being said, use your GE classes as an opportunity explore what USC has to offer. Last semester, I took CTCS 190 with Drew Casper (strongly recommend if you are interested in film and enjoy watching classic movies). At first, I was intimidated because USC has one of the best film schools in the world and I didn’t know much about it. By the end of it, I ended gaining a lot of respect and appreciation for cinema and all that it has evolved from.

3) Take 2 unit electives!

Although most students take 16 units (generally four, 4-unit classes), your USC tuition covers up to 18 units. I strongly recommend taking 2-unit electives because not only are you making the most out of your tuition dollars, but they are also a chance for you to try out new things!  (Taking two units also count can also help give you a better registration time in the future)

If you don’t feel comfortable taking on a full load yet, you can wait a semester and take one in the Spring. However, from my own experience and that of people I know, 2-unit classes are typically more interest-based classes that typically do not have the same workload as a 4-unit class.

Last semester, I took IML 140: Workshop in Multimedia Authoring, which is a part of Media Arts + Practice (School of Cinematic Arts). When I took it, there were only 5 people in the class, so we got a lot of individual attention and feedback on our work.

Other popular 2-unit classes are Ballroom dancing, Sailing, and Guitar (or other instruments). 

4) Keep your schedule concentrated

I recommend planning your classes close together to maximize efficiency (when I had random gaps of time between classes, I usually ended up wasting it).

I would also avoid having too many classes in one day. I usually try to plan to have 2-4 classes per day, but this may depend on the length/frequency of classes. I usually try to plan my classes between 9 am-3pm, but it ultimately depends on what time you want to start and end your day.

Oh and don’t forget to leave time for lunch! Food is very important :)

5) Don’t be afraid of morning classes

I’m sure you’ve heard of people complaining about their 8am classes. Is it as bad as they say? Well, if you’re a morning person, I strongly recommend putting classes in the morning (it doesn’t necessarily have to be 8, it could be 8:30 or 9). Typically, if you start your day earlier, you can also end your day earlier. Having earlier classes also motivate you to build healthier sleep habits to ensure that you can actually wake up and go to class. However, if you plan on pulling a lot of all-nighters or going out in the evenings, you should probably steer away from early classes. Know yourself and your sleeping habits.

As for late classes, it really depends on you. Personally, I prefer morning classes over late-night classes because I like to spend my evenings eating dinner with friends, studying, and sleeping early, but there are a lot of really cool elective classes in the evening (like CTCS 466 and 467 - Film and TV Symposiums).

6) Didn’t get all the classes you want? Don’t panic.

I remember I was so worried to sign up for classes because I was literlaly signing up a few days before school started. However, USC holds open a certain number of spots and continue to open them up as the registration period goes on. So just because it says a class is full online, it may not actually be. 

Also, people will be changing their classes the first few weeks of the semester, so you will likely have the opportunity to get a class you wanted that you couldn’t originally sign up for.

If you go to a class and discover that it just isn’t for you, you still have time to change it. If you’re thinking about switching, I recommend sitting in on other classes and see if they are a better fit for you. But keep an open mind in the classes you have! Some professors try to scare away lazy students in the beginning.

7) Don’t (always) trust ratemyprofessors.com

While it is valuable to get insight into the professor and their style of teaching, don’t blindly trust sites like these. Just like most things on the Internet, it could have been posted by anyone. Don’t let it be the only factor affecting your decision on whether or not to take an instructor’s class.

8) Don’t let lecture halls intimidate you

USC is usually really good about keeping class sizes small, but for some classes you may find yourself in “big” lecture halls of a few hundred people (but hey - it’s still smaller than UCLA’s classes). In these classes, I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to get to know your TA. They are really cool people who are there to help you, you just have to put in an effort and show them that you are interested in learning about the subject. The same goes for the professors - go to their office hours!

9) Have fun!

You’re at one of the best universities in the world - take advantage of all the resources and course selections and professors. Challenge yourself and try new things.

I hope this helps you - good luck and fight on!

-Anna Lipscomb ‘19

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