Scheduling classes is one of the most stressful parts about college. While you’re not alone in planning your class schedule, it’s important to know all the steps to be successful. We’re here to walk you through any struggle you might have when picking what classes to take and when to take them.
The first step is meeting with your advisor and determining what classes to take each semester to fulfill the University Core Curriculum and your major or minor requirements. It’s helpful to go into that meeting with an idea of what classes you want to take, then check with your advisor to see if that is possible. After you meet with your advisor, you will register for classes in the Self-Service Banner on my.bsu.edu.
When choosing your courses for the semester, you can focus on getting your core curriculum out of the way, or space out your major with your core classes. All majors have different class requirements, with some more flexible than others. When choosing core curriculum classes or filling an elective credit, you can choose something you’re already interested in or try to learn something new. So many concepts learned in one course can be helpful in others, or they may inspire you to take on a new academic challenge.
Stellic is in the Self-Service Banner on myballstate.bsu.edu, and that’s where you can find the courses you still need to fulfill to graduate. You can also simulate replacing your current major and minor with other combinations if you’re interested in other degree tracks—it will auto-fill with those major requirements. This is a great place to explore class options. Stellic takes a minute to get used to, so make sure to give yourself time to really explore the site and see what it has to offer to help you.
To register for your classes, you should receive an email with your time ticket, which is the earliest day and time that you can begin to register for classes. Make sure to schedule your advising appointment before your time ticket opens. The more credits you have already earned, the earlier your time ticket will be. As first-year students, it’s important to register for classes as soon as your time ticket opens. You shouldn’t have much trouble getting the classes you need in your schedule but wait too long and the classes will run out of space. Don’t count on simply replacing in-person classes with online ones, because those will run out of spaces quickly too, and many classes are in-person only. Have backup courses to take if the ones you want are filled.
After the first week of classes, you might find that a certain class won’t work for you. Maybe you have one too many classes on one day, or the professor’s teaching style isn’t your favorite. During add/drop period, which ends on the seventh day (Sunday) of each semester, students can add or withdraw from a course without approval from an academic advisor. You may still withdraw from courses after this period, but you should always consider how it may impact your scholarships, financial aid or degree progress. You can add/drop a course in the same place where you schedule them—the Self-Service Banner on myballstate.bsu.edu. This website is your new best friend.
Don’t Forget:
- Full-time students are required to take 12-18 credit hours per semester. Advisors recommend students average 15 credit hours per semester to ensure an on-time graduation. Many scholarships through Ball State require you to stay a full-time student for as long as you wish to receive the scholarship.
- To change your major and/or declare a minor, make an appointment with your advisor.
- Don’t worry too much about changing your major. If you spend the first two years mixing major classes with Core Curriculum classes, you’ll have plenty of time to fulfill new major requirements.
- When in doubt, ask your advisor! It’s their job to help, so don’t be afraid to ask.
