Western Courier

Issue date: 10/29/03 Section: Opinion

Media Credit: Jared Stumpenhorst

What can possibly be worse than the night before registration day? Every student can relate.

It's the day that rolls around twice a year that leaves your stomach churning.

Will I get in that class? What if I can't take it at that particular time? Will I be stuck with 8 o'clocks all week?

Just breathe. We know how you feel.

Registering for classes can easily be compared to getting tickets for that concert you've been dying to see. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m.‚ you have less than one minute to log on the computer to get the best seats and every minute counts. What - they're sold out?

But not to worry‚ Western Illinois University has a system for registering that is less hectic than logging on to Ticketmaster. Registration is different for everyone‚ so the process is much less chaotic.

According to Suzanne Litchfield‚ registrar administrative assistant‚ the department first considers a student's total hours earned and grade point average.

Graduate students are granted registration first‚ followed by seniors‚ juniors‚ sophomores and‚ lastly‚ freshmen.

In addition‚ many other students will have registration priority. Athletes‚ honors students and resident assistants are assigned earlier registration dates due to their heavy loads.

Regardless of your registration time and date‚ we've complied a list of things that can help ease the stresses of registration.

* Log on to S.T.A.R.S. and find out when your registration date is. (It should pop on the screen after you log on.)

* Make sure to see your academic adviser well before your registration date to discuss what you should or should not take.

* Have your classes mapped out before you sit down to register.

* The best places to register are computer labs on campus. Try the computer labs in any of the residence halls‚ or computers in the Registrar's Office or in the University Union. There are fewer chances of the screen freezing up on you.

* Don't get discouraged if a class is full. Choose another class‚ or make arrangements to meet with the professor.

* If a class is full‚ keep checking throughout the next few weeks. People constantly drop classes.

* Check with your adviser after registering to make sure your classes will fit into your plan for graduation.

* Take care of any holds the university has put on your account. Sometimes an outstanding balance will cost you that one class you need.

* Finally‚ don't wait to register. Classes fill up quickly‚ so register at the time and date given to you.

Registration doesn't have to be the worst time of the year. Take a deep breath‚ stay calm and remember that you're one semester closer to graduation.

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