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Wonder what you should take next semester but not sure where to start? Do the following:

1. Determine the time you have for school. Before you start asking friends, classmates, or an academic advisor what you should take next semester, first figure out how much time you'll have to actually take classes, do homework/projects, and study. Don't forget you need to eat and sleep.
   • You should have about 45 hours per week during fall/spring semesters to devote to school when taking 4-5 classes.
   • Use Oregon State University's to help you identify how much time you spend on non-academic things in your life.
   • If you're planning for a summer semester, you still need about 40 hours/week but you will take only 2-3 classes instead of 5. The work in a class stays the same regardless of whether it runs for 16 weeks or 4 weeks, you just have less time to do all of it.
     

     • Protip

       If you like formulas...

       Fall/Spring: 168 = (non-academic activity hours) + (# of credits * 3)
       Summer: 168 = (non-academic activity hours) + (# of credits * 6)

2. Identify what classes you need to take. Now that you know how much time you have for school and how much time you should spend on school, you can figure out what your class options are.
   
   • Log in to
   • Click on 'Student Records'
   • Click on 'DegreeWorks'
   • Scroll through DegreeWorks and find the classes that say "Still Needed" and note those down. You can keep track of this list using this spreadsheet. That's your beginning options. 
3. Figure out what you meet the prerequisites for.
   If you are currently taking the prerequisite(s) to a class you're looking to register for next semester, that's okay.
   
   • Look at the latest curriculum sheet for your major to see what the prereqs are to the classes you found in step 2.
   • You can also see what the prerequisites are for still needed classes by clicking on their course number on
   • DegreeWorks.
     You can keep classes that have prerequisites which are classes you're currently taking and don't have a final grade for.
     

     • Protip

       Make note of courses that can unlock multiple future classes as those will be the most strategic ones to take. Ex for CS: you're currently taking CSE 1322/L and MATH 2345. Next semester you can take CS 3305, CS 3410, CS 3503, CS 3622, SWE 3313 and CSE 3801. You would prioritize CS 3305 as that unlocks multiple other requirements in the future.
4. Forecast your class options.
   • Check the for the courses you've narrowed down and prioritized from the previous steps. Course forecasts shows how frequently classes will be offered in the future.
   • Note the next time your still needed classes will be offered.
     

     • Protip

       Upper-level electives/concentration classes you plan to do usually aren't offered every semester. Make sure you take their prerequisite prior to that. This is especially important for BSIT and CGDD majors.
5. Construct a plan.
   • You should now have a list of classes you meet the prerequisites for (step 3), the next time your list of classes will be offered (step 4), and know which courses will unlock later requirements/need to be taken in a certain timeframe.
   • Using your estimate from step 1, select the number of classes you've determined you have time for from the list of classes you prioritized.
     

     • Protip

       Consider how much work certain subjects are for you (e.g. math = a lot of extra practice and tutoring to understand, or an ENGL class may require a significant time set aside to read/write) and try to balance the subjects you're taking so you don't overwhelm yourself, if possible.
6. Consult and revise. Congratulations, you have a draft class plan!
   • Before registration starts for the term you're planning, schedule an academic advising appointment and take your plan to them for their review.
   • Depending on the live schedule of classes and how quickly courses fill up, you may need to adjust your proposed class plan. This should be easy since you have already identified all the classes you meet the prerequisites for and the most important ones you need to target!

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