At some point in your student’s college career you will receive a frantic phone call during registration.  You will hear, “there are no classes left,” and “I didn’t get into a single class I wanted.”  While it may feel like this to your student, it is hardly ever true.

First, remind your student that although the class may say that it is closed, there is still hope for the future.  He/she should enroll on the waitlist, and during the first week of classes, attend that class to check for openings.  Because freshmen register last, many classes are full simply because upperclassmen are enrolled in them while they wait to be allowed in their first choice classes. As upperclassmen move off the wait list into their desired classes, openings slowly trickle down and spaces open up in classes where freshmen are waitlisted.

While enrolled in wait lists, I recommend encouraging your student to look at the Undergraduate Bulletin, which lists all the classes that are ever taught at Wake Forest.  Each class is listed and described in detail.  Encourage your student to read these course descriptions, and to take a chance on an unfamiliar class.  More often than not, there are hidden classes that will end up becoming favorites.  They should not rely on virtual ratings and word of mouth alone.  Too often, freshmen hear to avoid certain classes, and they refuse to take morning classes.  These constraints make registration more difficult.  Instead, students should be open to taking many different classes to fulfill requirements, and they should learn there is a difference between preference and availability.  They should remain open to the courses that are available.

Some students come to college knowing exactly what they want to major in – but these students are in the minority.  It is important to explore classes in a variety of subjects during freshman year.  First Year Seminars are a great way to take classes in fields outside your comfort zone.  There are options for these seminars in areas of interest across the board ranging from film analysis, to history, to healthy living.  First Year Seminars are smaller classes that give a taste of what a Wake Forest education will be like.  These classes help a student develop writing skills, the ability to articulate an opinion, and to learn to participate in class discussions. 

One of the most important things to remember during registration is to take a balanced course load.  Most students should not take calculus and organic chemistry in the same semester – instead, they should take a class in a subject area they are very familiar with, one they are moderately familiar with, and one that is a new or “stretch” subject.  This will help them build confidence in the subject they know well (and to let them get used to college level work) as they ease in to subjects with which they are less familiar.  Students should use freshman year as an opportunity to take a challenging class in diverse fields.  The purpose of a liberal arts education is to develop a well rounded sampling of all subject fields.

During registration, remaining open to different classes, professors, and times, is the easiest way to be satisfied with your final schedule.  Then sample widely of new courses and subjects and enjoy learning from our outstanding faculty.

Written by Intern E. (’12)