The University of Wyoming requires that students go to advising sessions and can only register for classes after they obtain their PERC number, but what is the point of dutifully attending advising if they can’t register as soon as they are done with their session? Late registration dates are more than a headache for students – they often mean students can’t get into the classes they need.
There is a whole week dedicated for students to meet with their advisors and make a schedule for the coming semester. In my experience, these advising sessions are actually helpful. Questions are answered, and I felt better prepared not only for the spring semester, but the rest of my time here at the University.
During most of my advising session I felt at ease until I learned of my registration date and time. Being the anxiety-filled college student that I am, I feared I would not be able to get into some of my classes.
I was told I could not change my registration date. There is no pattern or reason for the registration schedule either – or at least, none that I was informed of. I was just given a late registration date even though I personally scheduled an advising session as early as I could.
As more and more students filled the classes I needed for my degree, I got more stressed out about not being able to take those classes. I scrambled to find other classes I could take, but there was a very slim list to chose from.
I was hoping things would fall to my favor. I was quickly disappointed.
The evening before my registration day, two of the classes I planned to take and need for my degree were full and the waitlist was full as well. The alternative classes I had written down were full and the amount of stress felt that night was on another level. I was not the only person in this boat.
UW junior Morgan Smith was not able to get into two of her classes as well. “I was frustrated because I thought I might be looking at delaying graduation,” she said.
Smith and I hope in the future that the University is more personable and helpful when it comes to registering for classes. The hope is that UW allows students to schedule their own registration time instead of just their advising session to alleviate a huge burden and stress. Information about the flawed registration dates and times would be nice too.
