Choosing college classes and registering for them can be confusing and overwhelming. Although all college students have to go through it, the first time doesn't have to be so bad. Being prepared and thinking through the classes you need carefully can help you get into the classes you need and speed up the time it takes you to graduate.

1. Look at degree requirements.

Turning your degree requirements into a checklist can help you stay on track and know what classes you need to register for each quarter. As someone who likes to-do lists, I cross off the classes I have taken and count down the number of credits I need to take before graduation. The number can be overwhelming at first, but it helps focus on the end-goal for motivation.

2. Know your resources.

There are many resources on college campuses that can be used to help schedule classes. Advisers and counselors are available to help students discover their education plans. Class schedules are usually available to view on the school's website. Online registration is becoming more and more popular, but registration can also be done on campus in most cases.

3. Get advice.

Professors and department heads are often familiar with degree requirements, and can also be a great resource for registration advice. Advice from peers can also be helpful when choosing between different professors. You don't have to figure it out alone. Between resources at the school, peers, and family, you should have some good advice to consider!

4. Write down your options.

Getting all of my options written down in front of me is usually how I figure out which classes I want to take. It's important to find out if some classes are only offered in particular terms. With my class options and degree requirements in front of me, it's much easier to determine what classes will fit into the same schedule and satisfy my requirements. Scheduling classes to satisfy requirements for a degree is like solving a puzzle.

5. Consider other responsibilities.

If you have a job or pet, these are some responsibilities that might limit the amount of time you can spend at school every week. Depending on the length of classes and how they fit together in a day, some days might be very long. This can really limit hours worked and time to spend with an animal. That being said, time to study should also be factored into your schedule. With all of your responsibilities to take into account, the number of credits you can take may be limited. Knowing this is helpful going into scheduling, rather than determining it after you start the quarter.

6. Add up the hours.

Adding up the hours you would be in class or on campus can determine how you want to schedule your classes. Some students like to schedule their classes close together so they spend less time on campus, but others like to take time between each class to get food or study. Depending on your other responsibilities at home, hours on campus may or may not be a factor in registering for classes.

7. Have some backup plans.

There's always a chance you won't get into your first-choice classes, especially if you don't have many credits earned at the institution. Seniority rules when it comes to registration dates, so have some ideas for backup plans in case your first choices don't work out. There are still ways to get into your priority choices if the class is full, but having a backup plan you like too might ease the anxiety!

8. Register ASAP.

Registration is open first for students with more credits earned, so registering at your designated time is the best idea if you're trying to get into a class that fills up quick. Especially in entry-level courses, or classes where there is a small number of seats available, registering early can be the difference between getting in and winding up at the end of the waitlist. The sooner you register, the more of your back-up classes will be open as well!

9. Wait(list) it out.

If you're waitlisted for a class that you really need, don't give up just yet! Being on the waitlist is the first step to getting into a class that's already full. As the quarter approaches and some students drop the class, it makes it much easier to get into the class if you're on the waitlist. Some professors will register you for the class if you're on the waitlist and show up the first day!

11. Be prepared.

Be ready for the classes you know you're taking, as well as classes that you are waitlisted for. Thinking that you might not get in doesn't set you up for success if you do get in, so have the materials you need and be familiar with the syllabus for the first day! Being unprepared on the first day of class can get you off to a rough start, so pay attention to where and when the class is when you register, as well as what you'll need for the class.

12. Show up.

Showing up for class on the first day to classes you're enrolled in, as well as waitlisted classes, is important for success. Showing up on time to the correct location is the only way to make sure your spot won't be given to a waitlisted student who did show up! This is also how you can get into a class you're on the waitlist for, so show up on time and make a good impression!

Registration for classes can take a lot of thought, and sometimes it doesn't work out ideally. Staying calm, having multiple plans, and being familiar with your graduation requirements can help the process go more smoothly. Don't schedule too many credits and overwhelm yourself, especially with other responsibilities to worry about. Good luck registering for classes!