Oh, the Classes You’ll Take

Make time in your schedule for something a little different this semester

By Marley Richmond

It’s finally that wonderful time of year again… time to delve into Schedule Builder and register for spring semester classes! Whether you’re juggling 25 courses you want to take, or calmly referring to your perfect 4-year plan, registration is full of important choices. Despite degree requirements, making time in your schedule for something new, wacky, or just plain-old-fun will make your upcoming semester so much more enjoyable.

You can truly find a class for anything: a dream you had as a child that you secretly still hold onto, or a niche interest you need an excuse to spend time on. Want to figure out why you can’t get your crush off your mind? The Biology of Sex will get you a little bit closer. Need more time for self care? Classes through the Center for Spirituality and Healing are there to help. Always dreamed of playing piano? Or the organ? The music department has you covered! Check out the physical education department for tons of one credit classes—from scuba diving to marathon running—that are sure to fit into even the most rigorous schedules. You can also find a less-intense elective in your actual major to spruce up your semester.

After being inundated with intense lectures, labs, or discussions on dense topics, having a bit of breathing room in your schedule—focusing on something physical, fun, or different, not just studying—can allow your brain a break, making your “real” homework feel more manageable. After all, there’s only so much time you can spend on organic chemistry before your brain shuts off. Taking such a class pass/fail ensures that it won’t become yet another source of stress, but instead a weekly chance to take a much needed break. And who knows, you might even find a new life passion or educational interest! So go forth and take advantage of these opportunities that you’ll only ever have in college.