Course registration can be stressful and time-consuming. But never fear! I’m here to make it as straightforward for you as possible. Read on for my helpful tips when registering for courses.
1. Save the date!
Once you’re notified of your personalized registration date and time in the Course Schedule on the Student Service Centre (SSC), make sure you set a reminder in your calendar so you don’t miss your registration time (shown in Pacific Daylight Time).
There are tons of different registration times and many of them are within 10 minutes of each other. With many students trying to register at the same time as you, even a few minutes delay can make or break getting into an important course…
2. Choose your courses wisely
The SSC Course Schedule is your go-to place for picking your courses. Note, however, that course info and class times have not yet been updated in the Course Schedule, as faculties and departments are in the process of finalizing their programs for September.
So check back in June for finalized undergrad courses and class times!
In the meantime, check out the video below to get an idea of how the SSC can help you select your courses. While the video is from 2013, the instructions still hold up!
Some courses are degree requirements…
You’ll need to meet certain requirements to complete your degree. Check out your faculty’s website for specific details, or get in touch with your faculty’s advising office if you have any questions or concerns.
…but others are not!
If your program allows for choice when it comes to course selection, then take some time to explore all the courses that are offered with an open mind.
And then there are Standard Timetables (STTs)…
If you’re registering with a Standard Timetable, then you’ll have (much) less of this course-choice freedom (hint hint: Commerce and Applied Science). Check the Academic Calendar for information on Standard Timetables and faculty-specific required courses.
3. Create a killer worklist (or three)
A worklist is a list of classes that you create as a mock schedule for yourself. You can create as many worklists as you want, but on your registration date, you’ll be registering only one of these worklists for real. Make sure you have at least one complete worklist that you feel pretty good about.
Again, because the Course Schedule is still being updated, you'll want to check any worklist(s) you've created in June, when undergrad course info and class times have been finalized.
Watch this video for more info on how to build a worklist:
Tip: Make use of the "Test Registration" button, as it’ll tell you if you meet the requirements for your courses before you actually have to register for them.
4. Log in early and be prepared to register the second you can
Courses fill up quickly. This is especially true in first year when many people are trying to register for the same required courses...at the exact same moment. So, grab a coffee, warm up your clicking-finger, and get ready to tap that “Register All” button. You can register for courses up until the add/drop deadline (also known as the "Deadline to withdraw without a W standing"), which you can find here.
5. Don’t panic if a course fills up
Clicking on that “Register All” button and getting an alert that a course is full is a stressful moment that we’ve all experienced. Luckily, lots of courses have a waitlist, and it’s really common for people to drop classes all the way up to the course drop/withdrawal deadline. Check out “What to do if a course is full” for even more useful tips.
