Course Registration

Taking charge of your course registration is one of the first real responsibilities you'll encounter at university. While it might seem overwhelming at first, especially coming from high school where schedules were often made for you, it's something most students quickly get comfortable with. The key is understanding that course selection can significantly impact your degree path - a single oversight might mean delaying graduation or missing out on essential classes. But don't worry, we've all navigated this process and lived to tell the tale.

Before you even look at courses, set aside time to thoroughly review the university's official resources. The First Year Planning Guide is incredibly comprehensive and should be your primary reference - think of it as your registration bible. Pay special attention to degree requirements and prerequisite chains. The Steps to Registration guide covers practical aspects like checking for holds on your account that might block you from registering. Many students skip this step and regret it later when they discover they've missed a critical requirement or deadline.

Planning Your Courses

Once you understand the requirements, start mapping out your terms. This isn't something to do the night before registration opens. Use the Class Schedule in Aurora to explore options, keeping in mind that courses like COMP 1010 and 1020 often fill quickly.

Here's a practical tip: well before your registration time, compile the CRNs (Course Reference Numbers) for all your preferred courses in a text document. When your registration window opens, you can quickly paste them all into Aurora's registration system at once. This method beats searching for courses individually and can mean the difference between getting into a full class or being waitlisted.

Understanding Registration Timing

Your registration time slot is determined by your GPA (for returning students) or admission average (for new students). Unofficially, a GPA around 3.0 (B) will get you into most required courses, but 3.5 (B+) is safe to get you into whatever you need.

For summer registration, the process works differently - your initial spot is determined by the last two digits of your student number. But here's the good news: new spots open daily during summer registration, so even if you get a later slot, you'll likely still find openings. The real pressure is for Fall and Winter terms where high-demand courses can fill within hours.

Registration timeslots show up on Aurora a certain period before the actual registration begin; set an alarm 30 minutes prior. You want to be there on the dot ready to input those CRNs!

Navigating Common Hurdles

A few common issues to watch for:

• Many international students discover too late that their high school prerequisites (especially Pre-Calculus 40S) haven't been properly recorded. If you don't see these listed in Aurora, contact an advisor immediately - they can often provide temporary overrides while you sort out documentation.

• If you're transferring from another institution or faculty, ensure your transfer credits appear in Aurora before registration. Fewer required courses means less chance of waitlist headaches. Speaking of waitlists - they're unfortunately a reality in our CS program. While the department adds sections each year, your best defense is registering the moment your window opens and maintaining solid grades (since GPA determines future registration priority).

If you find yourself on a waitlist, don't panic. Add yourself immediately and monitor your university email - spots often open during the first week of classes as students adjust schedules. Just remember: being on a waitlist doesn't guarantee entry, so always have backup courses ready.

If you're struggling with prerequisites, course conflicts, or technical issues, reach out early to your academic advisor. They've helped thousands of students through registration snags and can often find solutions you might not see.

Lastly, if a course is putting your other grades at risk, it's better to VW (voluntarily withdraw) early than struggle through and damage your GPA. There's always another semester.

The registration process gets easier each term as you become familiar with Aurora and degree requirements. What feels daunting now will become routine by second year. Just remember to double-check your schedule before the add/drop deadline - catching conflicts early saves so much stress down the line.