Creating a class schedule is one of the most important tasks a student has to complete every semester. The schedule created during registration sets the tone for 16 weeks of the student’s life. An overload of credits and a student might drown under forum posts and weekly quizzes. A lack of attention to detail may result in a student missing a class exclusively offered in the fall semester and only finding out in the spring. In addition to attending classes and submitting assignments, many students work part-time or even full-time jobs. When factoring in time for eating, sleeping, and socializing, many students find themselves juggling multiple responsibilities.
To guide them in the process, students at Kellogg Community College have a team of academic advisors available to help them when selecting their classes. The advisors can offer their expertise when it comes to crafting a schedule to accommodate a student’s lifestyle and academic needs.
Bailey Tyler, an assistant academic advisor at KCC, said the advisors ask a variety of “get-to-know-you questions” during a meeting. These questions include asking about a student’s program and goals for school; a preference for in-person or online courses; a plan for being a part-time or full-time student; a job, whether part-time or full-time; as well as any other obligations that require time and attention. These questions help an advisor get a quick glimpse into a student’s daily life, which helps them build a course schedule around things outside of school.
“Based on answers to the above questions we start looking at courses required for a student’s program,” Tyler said. “Depending on the classroom environment a student prefers, in-person or online, we will start planning sections that coincide with those needs. If there is a conflict we work with the student to find the option they are most comfortable with.”
However, there is more to factor in than just class preference.
“For me, the most important thing when planning courses is a balance of subjects. When I assist a student with their course load I encourage them to pick a few core classes and a few electives,” Tyler said. “Life is all about balance and courses are no different.”
Tyler also recommends students balance out their favorite subjects with classes they may struggle in. For example, “If a student struggles with math but they love psychology and art, I recommend they take math at the same time as a psychology and art class. The student will be less stressed or worried about psychology and art. Therefore, they will be able to spend more time on math,” Tyler said.
After a course schedule is decided, a student can begin to plan the rest of their life around it. A commonly recommended guideline for students is to spend two to three hours studying per credit hour per class. If a student is in a three-credit-hour history class they should plan on dedicating six to nine hours a week to the course. Because there are only 168 hours in a week, having time-management skills is crucial. Many students rely on things like Google Calendar and planners to keep track of their responsibilities and schedules. Western Michigan University Resident Advisor Aidan Sowerby said they keep a very detailed calendar to allow for separation between work, school, and a personal life.
“I have 13 credit hours and work about 20 hours a week,” Sowerby said. “Weekends are usually always for my personal life because I am able to work very hard during the week.”
Sowerby said their week typically consists of an equal blend of school-focused days and work-focused days.
“A typical day of mine would be attending two classes and then working three hours with the emotional stress of my job. Then an hour or so of schoolwork outside class,” Sowerby said.
They also explained the difference between their specific days.
“A work-focused day is more relaxed mentally but more tolling physically and vice versa for a school-focused day. Work days when I am on duty are more time-consuming than school days,” Sowerby said.
As a junior at WMU majoring in Public Nonprofit Administration, Sowerby has picked up a few tricks when it comes to course planning, such as working with a WMU academic advisor to get the “best” classes.
“I use Rate My Professors pretty religiously and also talk to my friends in the program to see what they think of a specific professor or course,” Sowerby said. “I look for a professor with good communication skills and relaxed lectures and humor, actually. And also qualifications.”
However, they also said that despite their diligence in creating a schedule and researching professors they have still decided to drop a class after the initial planning.
“I have dropped a class twice. It was Microeconomics and Spanish. Both were too much work, and not my battle to fight at the time,” Sowerby said.
For all students, whether at a college or university, lots of little factors contribute to their course schedule and daily schedule. There are a variety of tools and resources that can be used to create the most beneficial plan based on a student’s unique needs and requirements. But overall, maintaining a healthy schedule and work-life balance is the most important thing and will look different for everyone.
To sign up for a meeting with your academic advisor, students can use Starfish in the Bruin Portal, or contact the Academic Advising office directly at 269-965-4124 or advising@kellogg.edu.
