Growing Concern over Course Registration

Abby Peabody (abpeabody@ursinus.edu)

Course registration is the time of the year when every social media story is filled with a random schedule full of green, yellow, or red boxes. The student posting is either upset or thrilled with their schedule.

As an International Relations major there are several requirements I must fulfill, including courses in history, economics, politics, and anthropology. The rest are electives for the major. I have run into various issues trying to register for these. For instance, the history course I need to take is listed as HIST 207, but has been changed to 102 on paper. I spent the majority of my three years trying to take HIST 207 but then found out that it no longer exists. 

The anxiety of wondering if you’re going to land a spot in a class is something all students face, but especially underclassmen. Students in the first two years of the college experience are usually dealt the short end of the stick. But in my case the reverse was true: the 100 level course only has a few seats allotted for juniors and seniors. I understand why the registrar does this, but when I need to complete a final class for my major, being waitlisted simply isn’t fair.

As a senior, I’ve had my fair share of ups and downs regarding registration. My first year, I went with some hallmates from BPS to Ritter to register, and a kind upperclassman suggested we move to a different building with fewer people so that the connection would be more reliable. Of course, the spinning circle that refreshes the page has always caused me to think otherwise. 

Even at home during the Spring 2020, registering for my Fall 2020 courses made me understand that perhaps I have not solely a Wi-Fi issue but partly an anxiety issue too. The students at Ursinus are constantly having to face the dilemma of whether they can fulfill their core requirements or major(s)’ requirements. Many students are forced to overload one semester because the next semester does not offer the same courses that could help them graduate on time. 

The burnt-out Ursinus student is a common trend these days, especially with all the course requirements we have to juggle. It’s ridiculous that students need to fulfill requirements such as: LINQ, XLP, D, G, and BBQ. The list is only getting longer, and I supposed it will never end.