Hope College sent out emails last week regarding registration for the spring semester. Can I get a collective:
But have no fear, Hope students! Registration doesn't have to be scary. There are ways to cut down on the stress of choosing new courses. Here are a few tips to help you prepare for registration day:
1. Talk to your advisor.
You technically have to do this so that you can get your pin code. Freshmen also have to see their advisors before registering in person. However, don't just say hello to your advisor, get your pin code, and then leave. Make sure to talk with him/her thoroughly about your choices. They know more about these courses than you do, considering they teach them. They might make a few suggestions that will lighten your load next semester or recommend a professor you didn't know is fantastic.
2. Make an appointment at Hope's Career Development Center.
Upperclassmen cannot stress this enough: Hope's Career Development Center is a fabulous resource. Sure, they help with internship searches, putting together resumes, and mock interviews. However, during registration time, there's no better person than Amy Freehafer. She'll meet with you, and in just thirty minutes you'll have the rest of your four years planned. Heck, you'll have your whole life planned! She's a Hope College miracle worker when it comes to scheduling, so make sure to book an appointment with her early. Tons of Hope students want to meet with her.
3. Ask upperclassmen.
Upperclassmen know who the best professors are and which classes make lasting impacts on students. They also know which professors need to be avoided and which courses are a waste of time and money. Talk to your friends and especially upperclassmen in your major to get a better idea of which classes you must take before graduating.
4. Check out Rate My Prof.
In the world of the Inter-Web, there's this gem of a website called ratemyprofessor.com. Here, you can look up tons of Hope professors and see how students rate them on overall quality and level of difficulty. There are also comment sections where Hope students have expressed in detail their feelings for their profs. It's definitely worth looking taking a look.
5. Consider planning for summer classes.
Hope offers a variety of summer classes that can be taken online or on campus in May, June, and July. However, they also offer tons of abroad classes and trips during the summer. You can study in Vienna, Liverpool, or Paris, just to name a few. Therefore, while you're looking at classes for registration, research what courses are offered in the summer and what credits you can receive for going on trips abroad. That may change your perspective schedule a bit.
6. Go to Slate Permutate!
Too overwhelmed to try and figure out all the possible schedules you could have next semester? That's why on the 8th day God made slatepermutate.org. This blessed website figures out all your possible schedules. Just put in your Hope course IDs, and it will do the work for you. Who knows, you might just find out that you can sign up for courses that result in having no Friday classes. Seriously, this website is the absolute best. Use it!
7. Take a deep breath.
Yeah, registration's stressful, and there's no way that you're going to be completely anxiety-free. However, make sure to slow down once in a while, step away from your schedules and Hope's course catalog, and relax. Watch an episode of Grey's Anatomy on Netflix, attend Chapel, or go Crust 54 with your friends. It's important to plan, but it's just as important to rest, so just remember that everything will work out in God's perfect timing.
