Registering for next semester’s classes is both exciting and nerve wracking. Students are assigned a certain time period for registration. This time is based on class standing and student ID number. Some classes must be registered through an academic advisor (as in the case of art classes which are protected by the School of Art soldiers), but most classes are up for grabs.

Before registration opens, you have to check a website that lists all of the classes offered, when they are scheduled to meet, and how many seats are still open. Scheduling takes an immense amount of planning; just because a class fits perfectly into your major’s requirements and time schedule does not mean that it still has open seats.

This time I had it easy–three of my five classes are art classes (so an advisor registered for me), one is a freshman English class (I have sophomore standing so I get to register a week before the freshmen), and the other is a psychology class that had a lot of space still.

Ivvette, my roommate, didn’t have such an easy time. The following is an actual account of what happened on Sunday, October 28, 2007.

12:45pm
Ivvette: We need fight music.

Alisa: Fight music…Eye of the Tiger. Check. Is your math class still open?

I: Eight seats.

A: Alright. English?

I: Fifteen seats.

A: Good. Chem?

I: One-hundred ten seats.

A: Okay. Philosophy?

I: Twenty-two seats.

A: Are you logged in on at least three browser windows?

I: Yep. Are you?

A: Yep. [I logged in under her ID to increase the chances of her getting the classes that she needs.]

12:50pm
Ivvette: Aliiiisaaa? What does a registration hold mean?

Alisa: Are you kidding me? Ten minutes until registration opens and you’ve got a hold?

I: It says that I need to meet with my advisor. I met with her already! I did it!

A: Hm…

I: I’m freaking out! I have to get these classes! I’ll email her.

A: It’s a Sunday. She won’t check her email.

I: I have to do something!

A: Do you have her phone number?

I: Only her office phone….

A: I’m on it.

12:55pm
Alisa: Alright, there are three people with her name in Tucson. Go down the list.

Ivvette: Okay…. [Dials and whispers, "It's her!"]

12:57pm
A: I can’t believe you just called your advisor on her home phone.

I: Hey, I can register now! How many seats are left in my math class?

A: Four.

I: Four?!

1:00pm
Alisa: Yay! It’s open! It’s like when the ball drops on New Year’s!

Ivvette: You get my math class, I’ll grab English.

A: Lecture 24 is full! Plan B?

I: Plan B! Plan B! Aahh! Two seats left in English!

A: Okay you’re in Lecture 26. I’ll get philosophy.

I: Philosophy lecture 5 won’t work with my math class being lecture 26.

A: Will lecture 7 work?

I: I’ll have to get a different English class. Get lecture 7!

A: How’s chem?

I: 50 seats, I’m working on it.

A: There’s an English class at 7:30 on Mondays and Wednesdays.

I: No! I can’t deal with that! My chem lab goes until 4pm on Wednesday. I’ll be at school too long.

A: Okay what about 9am?

I: Darn I’ll have four classes all in a row, but it will have to work.

A: Aye, Aye.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

So, we’re registered.

English 104h - Honor’s Composition
Individuals and Societies 101 - Structure of Mind and Behavior
Art 101 - Drawing
Art 102 - Color and Design
Art 104 - 3-Dimensional Design