By Jill Putman
Associate Director, Office of Academic Advocacy
It is hard to believe, but students should be making plans now to register for the Spring 2023 semester! The process of selecting courses and building a schedule can seem daunting for students and their families, but it is also an exciting time as students advance in their degree program and choose course topics that support their interests, goals, and bring them closer to graduation. To make the process as seamless and stress-free as possible, we have outlined steps and resources to support conversations with your student to prepare for Spring 2023 course enrollment.
- Plan For Registration: Students who engage in course registration in a timely manner will have the best access to course availability to stay on track with their degree progression. In preparation for registration, encourage your student to do the following:
- Find their registration time. An overview of registration dates is available on the Registrar’s website, but students may access their specific registration time in RAMweb. Students are eligible to register any time after their designated registration window opens.
- Complete the registration ready process in RAMweb.
- Resolve any registration holds. A registration hold indicates that students need to connect with a CSU resource to take action prior to accessing the registration system. Students may view hold information in RAMweb.
- Course Considerations: Families can help their student engage in reflective conversations about course planning on the following topics:
- How many classes would you like to take this spring? To stay on track for timely graduation, it is recommended that students enroll in around 15 course credits each semester.
- What course topics would you like to focus on this spring? What courses are being offered in your department?
- What went well for you this fall? What lessons did you learn about course scheduling from your experience in courses this semester?
- Students can find degree requirements and course listings for all CSU programs in the course catalog.
- Students should review their Degree Progress Audit, which lists their degree requirements for their current program.
- Encourage your student to draft a list of preliminary course selections for them to review with their academic advisor, who can help them ensure they are completing courses in the right sequence.
- Consult with an academic advisor. Students should plan to talk with their academic advisor prior to registration to review their plans for spring. Some major programs require that students participate in an advising meeting before registering for classes, but all students are encouraged to connect with their advisor for guidance about the registration process. Students can find their academic advisor listed in RAMweb.
- Major Fit and Future: Registration is a great time to check-in and see how students are feeling about their intended major and upcoming courses. It is important to remember that feelings of uncertainty and desire to explore interests are normal, especially during times of transition, and many CSU students will explore major options at some point in their CSU career. It is also important for students to know that a difficult experience in one major course does not necessarily mean that the major is no longer a good fit for them. Students can talk with their advisor about major-related questions and the CSU Career Center provides great resources to support career and major exploration.
- Celebrate: Course registration provides an opportunity for students to reflect on the progress they have made in their CSU journey thus far and celebrate reaching another milestone toward graduation. It is an exciting time for students and their families to look ahead to the opportunities that await them in their next term.
Supporting your student in thoughtful and intentional decision-making and early engagement for Spring 2023 course registration helps them to build confidence, access greater course capacity, and be best set up for future success. Best wishes to you and your student as you prepare for the Spring 2023 semester!
