By Brianna Brinker, Contributing Writer
It’s that time of year, freshmen! Registering for spring classes can be exciting yet stressful for many freshmen starting at Saint Leo University.
Making your schedule can be difficult because of how new and different it is from high school. There are so many options and credits to achieve, but remember, there are people to guide you through this process, and it gets easier each semester.
Rosie Feiler, a freshman majoring in criminal justice, says, “My biggest concern is being advised to pick a class that will not help me in the long run. I don’t want to take a class that earns credits but ultimately wastes time.”
There are several ways to simplify the schedule-making process. For instance, consider contacting your academic advisors, who specialize in your chosen major. You can find their name and email at the top of your program evaluation on Elion. Email them to schedule an appointment, and they will guide you in selecting the appropriate classes.
Knowing your academic advisor is essential because they know everything about your major and can guide you on which classes to take for your degree—meeting with them early as a freshman is crucial, as you can create a plan to complete all the necessary credits. This early connection is valuable because they will continue to be your advisor throughout all four years if you stick with your major.
In addition to academic advisors, student success coaches also serve as guides to assist you in selecting classes that align with your major. However, their expertise lies more in standardized courses. Unlike academic advisors, they aren’t specialized in a specific major.
If you have questions about your particular major or minor, your academic advisor has more detailed information. Student success coaches excel in assisting with a broad range of classes and are available to answer your questions.
You can visit their offices or opt for a virtual meeting—both options are available. During the session, they will walk you through your program evaluation, displaying all the required classes for graduation. You can access this information through your Elion account.
Student Success Coach Audrea Maxwell wants the freshman to know, “I always endeavor to find out what a student’s goal is and let them know that I am here to help support them, especially when they are struggling to choose classes. My advice is that not everyone’s experience is the same. Not all classes will be easy; some will be more difficult than others, requiring more work and study time, but by putting in the time and effort, a good grade can be achieved even in the hardest class.”
Remember, freshman, this is just the beginning of your journey at Saint Leos. Don’t get stressed when picking out your classes. Saint Leo makes it a simple process for all of you.
“I’m not telling you it’s going to be easy,” says Maxwell. “I’m telling you it’s going to be worth it!”
