Course Scheduling
When planning your course schedule, keep in mind that courses vary in class size and workload. Most students take four to five courses per semester and the courses are a mix between core major classes, electives and GE requirements. Meet with your advisor to make sure you meet all the requirements for the course and aren’t overwhelming yourself. Also, take some time to read the important scheduling considerations below. When the time comes for you to schedule, visit BuckeyeLink.
Scheduling considerations
- Is the course required for your pre-major or major?
- Is it a prerequisite to a required pre-major or major course?
- Review the information on this website; visit the website of your major department; or contact the department to find out.
- Does the course meet a general education requirement?
- Is the course an elective?
- Is the course part of a sequence, and will you be able to proceed through the sequence in a timely way?
Check prerequisites and restrictions in the Course Catalog (Course Bulletin). The web registration system, BuckeyeLink, does not always check for prerequisites or restrictions; you are responsible for making sure you are eligible to take a course.
If so, obtain permission before your enrollment appointment begins, or you will not be able to take the course.
Obtaining permission requires getting a Course Enrollment Permission Form from the Arts and Sciences Advising front desk at 100 Denney Hall (or from your department) and having it signed by the instructor. After getting the appropriate signature, you must have the form processed in 100 Denney Hall. The form is also available online.
- Content: What is the focus of the course? Is this an easy or difficult subject matter for you? How is course content presented? Large lecture? Small discussion groups?
- How will your work be evaluated — midterms and final only? Papers? Projects? Group work? You can get this information by obtaining a copy of the syllabus from the department offering the course or by checking the department’s website to see if the syllabus is posted there.
- What are your time commitments for the upcoming semester? How much time will you be able to devote to class preparation and attendance?
- What are your other obligations — employment, extracurricular activities, family responsibilities, internships, sports and recreation, social activities?
- If your degree plan permits, schedule a combination of general education courses, major courses and electives.
- Balance the types of courses — does the course require a great deal of reading and/or writing, memorization of material, frequent homework, laboratory work?
- Try to take a variety of courses each semester.
- Balance courses that you know will be difficult with courses that will be easier for you.
- Balance courses in which you have great interest with those in which you have less interest.
- Do you need to concentrate on raising your GPA? If so, plan to take courses in which you expect to do well.
- Is it important to establish a relationship with a faculty member in order to get a recommendation in the future, or to do an independent study? If so, plan on taking a course or courses from a faculty member in your interest area.
- Check to see whether there are any holds or negative service indicators on your account. Resolve them before your enrollment appointment begins. If you do not have holds removed, you cannot schedule classes.
Scheduling resources
- Your academic advisor helps keep you on track in your major, with general education requirements, in your progress toward graduation and provides advice based on your individual needs and goals.
- You should visit your academic advisor before your enrollment appointment begins if you have questions about what you should schedule.
- Please know that the advisors book up for appointments quickly, so please call at least one week prior to when you would like to come in for an appointment.
- In order to plan for future terms, contact your major department for a listing of prospective future offerings. Individual departments often keep tentative lists of future offerings of their courses.
Access course descriptions and view prerequisites/restrictions for courses you are interested in through the course catalog on BuckeyeLink.
Plan a tentative schedule with the Schedule Planner tool in BuckeyeLink.
Since registration is in real time, you will know immediately whether or not you are enrolled in a class. Be prepared with backup times for the classes you would like to take, in case the section you want is filled. You should also have alternate course choices ready in case the course is completely filled.
- General education requirement sheets are available in 100 Denney Hall or online. Make sure that you are following the right curriculum.
- Major information sheets can be obtained from your major department.
Access degree audits and advising reports online through BuckeyeLink.