Is a Class Right for You?

By: Talia Walters ‘20

We are in the midst of the most exciting time of class registration during the semester: the three-week add/drop period. Over the next week and a half (decisions must be made by FRIDAY, JANUARY 31st), everyone is able to try out classes, switch out of and into new classes, and drop classes they don’t actually want to take. But sometimes, it’s hard to figure out if you should continue taking a class because you just don’t know what the best decision is. Now, I’ve been around the scheduling block a few times, and I’ve made my fair share of scheduling decisions down to the wire of the add/drop period. So, I’ve come to help and share my wonderful knowledge. Here are 8 questions you should ask yourself when deciding if a class is right for you:

1. Why are you taking the class?

This is one of the biggest questions when determining if you should continue taking a class for the entire semester. Maybe it’s the only class that you’re able to take for a requirement of your major. In that case, you don’t have much of a choice. Sometimes, depending on the major and the department you’re in, you can petition for replacements. However, it’s important not to rely on this method; your adviser should be able to give you an idea of if it’s worth trying to petition or if it’s unlikely to happen. On the other hand, if you’re taking the class as one option of many for a requirement or just as a passion class, then you are mostly in full control. If you have wiggle room to choose another class and you’re not liking the class you have right now, then take advantage of the choice and find something you will enjoy.

2. Do you like the subject of the class?

This is probably the easiest question when choosing your classes for the semester. If you don’t like the class, then you probably shouldn’t take it. Perhaps the class has a broad subject but the specific pieces aren’t your fancy, or perhaps the class has a unique spin that you’re just not feeling. It’s also possible that you thought the class was about one thing but it’s not about that at all (there’s always one person that takes astronomy thinking it’s astrology, there’s no shame). If you don’t like the class, then don’t take it!

3. Is it what you thought the class was going to be about?

We’ve all had a class that’s supposed to be about one thing but is actually about something entirely different. I’m even in a class right now that’s supposed to be about philosophy but is very quickly devolving into a math class I very much didn’t sign up for. Sometimes professors are given broad topics, and their own interests influence what the class is actually about and focused on. This can be really great if you have the same interests as your professor, but it can make the class incredibly boring if you don’t. If you’re looking at the syllabus and realizing the *actual* subject of your class isn’t something you’re interested in, then that might be a good sign to change classes.

4. Are there any other options that sound more exciting?

Classes are always changing and being added even as we enter the new semester. In particular, it’s important to track other classes that may have been closed during registration or the beginning of the semester that open back up once people start moving out of it for their own reasons. If you chose a class you were less interested in because the other class you wanted was closed, it’s a good idea to double-check to make sure that you aren’t missing an opportunity to take something you’d like better.

5. Do you mesh well with the professor?

A professor can make or break a class. When you have a good professor, sometimes you can look past the rest of the class and really enjoy a topic you never would have liked otherwise. On the other hand, you could love everything about a class, but if your professor just doesn’t teach the way you need to stay engaged, then you could end up hating a class about something you could have really loved. There are many reasons you may not be vibing with your professor, but any reason is a reason to switch classes. Rate My Professor is a good way to get an idea of what your professor will be like beforehand, and it’s a good idea to take it into consideration when choosing your classes.

6. How are the other people in the class?

Perhaps it’s just me, but some of the most unfortunately memorable parts of my classes are my classmates. Most people are great on average, but there have definitely been classes that have been off-kilter because of the vibe of the class, and my fellow students are just not meshing well with me. It’s not the only reason you should switch out of a class, but it doesn’t hurt to consider it when you’re feeling out a class you might continue with.

7. Will you have to miss many classes?

We are all human with normal scheduling problems, and it’s totally normal to miss a class or two over the course of the semester. We all get sick, can only go to an appointment during class time, accidentally double book ourselves; however, if you’re going to be missing class after class then maybe it’s time to find a different class. If you’re traveling for a team and competing on weekends, then it might be nice to avoid classes on Mondays or Fridays depending on your travel schedule. If you know you’re going to have meetings or events frequently at night, then maybe it’s better to keep your classes in the morning or afternoon. And if we’re honest with ourselves and know we’ll sleep through our 8ams far too often, it’s time to just accept taking classes in the afternoon and evening. Missing classes does nothing but cause problems for you later on, so it’s important to take that into consideration when setting up your schedule.

8. Do you want to go?

Sometimes, even if everything else is great, you end up sitting at lunch or waking up in bed and thinking to yourself “Man, I really don’t want to go to class right now”. If you’re two weeks in, and you already don’t want to go to your class, then maybe it’s not the right fit for you. Not wanting to go to class is a surefire way to end up behind in your class, and it’ll cause more trouble than it’s worth. It’s better to find a class you’ll enjoy more now rather than have to catch up on a class you don’t care about later.

Ultimately, whether or not you take a class is entirely up you, and it’s important to note that you usually always have a choice in your schedule and what classes you take. Even if you feel like everything is coming together and you’re supposed to like the class, but you just can’t get into it, then you should listen to your instinct and find something else to fulfill your requirements. You shouldn’t be forced to do things you just don’t enjoy, and the first three weeks of classes are the only time you have to try out your schedule before you have to keep it. As always, it never hurts to double-check with your adviser if you have any questions about your major/minor requirements or the best classes for your schedule.

Happy Scheduling!

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