The freedom you receive at university is certainly a positive thing, but it also comes with a certain amount of responsibility, such as figuring out your own schedule. Although you know you’ll need to sign up for the classes required for your major, you still need to decide what order to take them in and choose your electives. To create a schedule that works for you, there are a few things to consider.
1. How to Fulfill Graduation Requirements
It’s useful to make a note of what classes you’ll need to take to graduate. The last thing you want is to graduate late because of poor scheduling. For instance, you could need to stick around for an extra semester if you fail to notice that one class is a requirement for another. Alternatively, poor scheduling may mean you’re able to graduate on time but you need to take an introductory class right near the end, which could be boring.
2. What Your School Recommends
Your school may recommend that you take classes in a particular order, as the knowledge you gain in one class could be beneficial for another. If you’re struggling to create a schedule on your own, ask your academic advisor to help you create a plan for the upcoming semester and an outline for the rest of your time at university.
3. The Best Time of Day to Take Classes
When you have a choice, it’s worth thinking about what time of day you prefer to take classes.
Many people are most alert in the morning. Plus, finishing early means you have the rest of the day to spend however you want, perhaps at extracurriculars or at a job. Bear in mind, though, that morning classes tend to fill up, meaning you’ll need to enroll early. If you know that you struggle to get moving in the morning, it could be better to choose classes at another time of day.
Afternoon classes are often more comfortable, especially if it takes you a few hours to wake up and find your focus. They also mean you can work on assignments and prepare for tests right before class. The downside is that they may clash with your other activities.
Your last option is night classes. These are ideal for students who are working full time or have other responsibilities besides school. Of course, taking classes at night is problematic if you know you’ll be exhausted or unable to concentrate.
4. A Balance of Study and Rest
Use past experience to determine how many classes you can handle this semester, remembering that classes become more difficult as you progress through university. If you take on too much, your grades and health are likely to suffer. To graduate as soon as possible, you can always take electives that allow you to take a break from academics while still earning you credit. Creative and fitness-based electives are ideal for this.
5. The Feasibility of Back-to-Back Classes
You may like to schedule back-to-back classes to prevent breaks in your day. However, you should think about the logistics of doing this. Classes that are physically far away from each other on campus may mean you need to run to avoid being late. Plus, you’ll never be able to stay behind to talk to your professors and classmates, even for a few minutes. You should also consider if you’ll be able to cope mentally with several hours of classes in a row.
6. Dates for Finals
Lastly, check dates for finals for each of the classes you want to take. Some students find they do better when their finals are spread out.
When you live near campus, figuring out how you’ll arrive to class on time is one less thing to worry about. For Waterloo University off-campus housing, choose King Street Towers. You’ll have a comfortable suite and multiple lounges where you can study between classes or you can head to the games rooms and fitness centres to take a break. Book a tour now to check out all the great amenities.