Registering for classes as a college student is one of our biggest nightmares. Whether you are a freshman or senior, the fear of not getting into any classes you need or getting placed on the dreaded waitlist is so very real.
The following are the 5 stages every college student goes through for registration:
1. Preparation for the Big Day.
A month or so in advance of registration week, students get emails reminding them to pay off parking tickets and meet with their advisors. Around this time, overachieving students start planning their schedules.
2. Advising Meetings.
One of the biggest and most hinged parts of the registration process is this 15 minute meeting. In this small time frame, your proposed schedule can be shot down and your entire future disassembled. So for this reason, we stress over these simple meetings.
3. The Day Of.
You wake up on your registration day and realize it's finally here. Mixed emotions of fear and excitement flood your day as you await the opening of your registration block. You still have classes and you know that after they are over, your fate of the next semester will be determined.
4. Minutes Before Your Block Opens.
It always happens that at the time you are allowed to enter the system, the server crashes. You sit there staring at your watch, hoping for the best. Eventually, you are able to enter the system, but are waitlisted for 3 of your 5 required classes and have wasted 3 hours stressed and sweating your life away.
5. It's Over.
Once all your classes are in, you will emerge from your room and possibly have tears in your eyes. You know it will be okay eventually. People always drop and you're only number 10 on the waitlist. Your mom and friends tell you, "Don't worry! It will be fine." Your response will probably just be "no."
