“Not in the Business of Crushing Dreams:" Registration made easier through Resources on Campus
By Eleanor Anderson
Even though it feels like the semester has just started, it is already time to prepare for fall registration. For students who are not graduating, registration can be exciting and anxiety-inducing, but luckily there are several resources available to students who feel overwhelmed.
There are several deadlines and nuances to be aware of while you prepare for registration.
Priority registration begins April 22-25, with rising seniors, student athletes and honors students eligible for the earliest time slot. To find out your time slot, check how many credits you have through Degree Evaluations or reach out to your academic advisor.
It’s also an important time to resolve any holds on your Academic Profile that may prevent you from registering. Addressing any issues helps to ensure that you are able to register for your first-choice courses as soon as possible.
If you are interested in taking more than 18 credits, make sure to fill out the Excess Credits Request at least a week before your scheduled registration time.
Take some time to explore what courses will be offered and plan your schedule. Not only should your courses fit into your graduation timeline, but you should also make sure that multiple courses are not taking place at the same time.
A new My St. Kate’s portal will be launching on April 22 that may add a new layer of complexity to registration. Once students access the new portal, the registration process will be much the same, but for students eager to register as soon as possible, take some time to explore the new portal available through the St Kate’s website.
Thankfully, there are several resources on campus to help you navigate all of these intricacies. One of the easiest places to start is with your Academic Advisor. They know how to curate schedules for students who are unsure of what they want to major in, but they can also help students with declared majors explore additional majors/ minors, outline a time to study abroad and ensure that students aren’t missing graduation requirements. Two of the academic advisors on campus, Laura Bauercamp and Katie Kromer-Ide, shared that they “love walk-ins” from students who are seeking advice at any point in the semester, not just leading up to registration. They insisted that they “are not in the business of crushing dreams” and work hard to make schedules and registration fit into students’ lives and aspirations.
In addition to Academic Advisors, you should meet with your faculty mentor. These department leaders have helped many students earn the degrees that they want. Similar to academic advisors, they often know when and how frequently specific courses will be offered.
Above all else, remember that registration can be flexible. Signing up for classes early ensures that you have the most options to choose from, but there are always options. Many professors are flexible with seating caps and many courses are offered regularly. If you’re looking for even more flexibility, ACTC courses expand the number of available electives. It may feel overwhelming to plan out your time here at St Kate’s, try everything you’re interested in and still maintain your graduation timeline, but you don’t have to figure it out alone! Best of luck to all of the students who are tackling registration; remember that there are resources available to make it happen!
