I'm so upset with myself right now. (Update in replies)

[katespade]

Backstory: I transferred to my current college before summer term, at which point I was able to register for both summer and fall at the same time. My old college always sent out a heads up email before registration opened for the next term, so I've been waiting for that email to get ready to register for winter term. Finals week is next week so tonight I figured I should check in to see when registration is.

REGISTRATION OPENED A MONTH AGO AND EVERY CLASS I NEED TO TAKE IS FULL. EVERY. SINGLE. ONE.
I just assumed that my new college would send out an email like my old one did. I'm seriously so upset with myself that I don't even know what to do. I mean, I put myself on the wait-list for as many classes as possible, but how am I stupid enough to not have put the registration date on my calendar ahead of time?

There is a very good chance that I've just delayed my graduation by another term. 
I'm so close to being done, and the thought of wasting a term is so incredibly discouraging. 
I seriously want to cry right now. I'm so stupid.

[Deleted]

I'm so sorry, that is very discouraging . I know it seems like a big setback now, but there is a high chance that spots will become available and you will be able to take the classes you need. You're not stupid! Could you contact your adviser to see if they could help you with this? I really hope that everything works out and you graduate on time.

[amaranth]

OH no. I am so sorry! I would have thought the same thing as you, that an email would be sent out notifying you of open registration. I took classes at three colleges for my degree and they all sent emails. Don't be too hard on yourself.

Is there any way you can email or meet the professors and ask them to sign an exception form to allow you in their class beyond the normal "full" limits? I know a lot of people, myself included, who had success this way. The hard part is tracking them down in their offices between classes to get them to sign the form.

[katespade]

amaranth - H recommended requesting an exception, too, but the policy is pretty clear for wait-lists. Exception forms are only available/allowed for classes that do not offer a wait-list option. Since all of the classes I need to take offer wait-lists, I just have to hope that enough people drop out between now and the start of the term.

I even looked ahead at classes I have slotted for future terms and those are all full, too. Every single stupid one of them.

[katespade]

@moonbeam - I put myself on the wait-list for every class I could find that still had room on the wait-list, so I'm just crossing my fingers that spots open up in enough classes to get me to the credit count I need. I also added the registration dates for all of the 2016 terms to my phone calendar so that this doesn't happen again.

[amaranth]

Dec 4, 2015 22:55:12 GMT -5 katespade said:

amaranth - H recommended requesting an exception, too, but the policy is pretty clear for wait-lists. Exception forms are only available/allowed for classes that do not offer a wait-list option. Since all of the classes I need to take offer wait-lists, I just have to hope that enough people drop out between now and the start of the term.

I even looked ahead at classes I have slotted for future terms and those are all full, too. Every single stupid one of them.

Okay, well let's brain storm the best way to knock people off the waitlist... 

Anyone?

Yeah, I've got nothing. But I'll let you know if I spark genius.

[estrellita]

Oh no I'm sorry my school always emailed us when our registration window opened (at least to give us the window, can't remember if they emailed when it actually opened). I hope you're able to get in. I'd maybe try contacting them, it's worth a shot to try!

[katespade]

estrellita - I might send my advisor an email just to check in and get her opinion on what to do. You're right that it definitely doesn't hurt to ask. Worst case, she says there's nothing she can do and I'm right where I already am.

[MrsMB]

I am so sorry hopefully, they'll have some good suggestions for you!!!

[mac08]

I'm so sorry, that's incredibly frustrating.  Do you need to take any electives for your degree that you could get out of the way this semester? 

[katespade]

mac08 - Unfortunately, I don't need any more electives. I'm only three terms away from being done so there are only a handful of specific classes that I still need to take. I was able to register for one class I was planning to take spring term, though, so I just need spots to open up in three more classes to be able to stay on track.

[mac08]

I hope it works out for you katespade!

[travelbug]

Oh no!!! I'll keep my fingers crossed for all the people to drop the classes you need! How frustrating. I would of assumed the SAME thing. Every college I've attend thus far have sent an email or paper notice. Frustrating!

[katespade]

travelbug - It honestly makes me feel so much better to know that I'm not alone in assuming that an email would be sent out. I'm wavering back and forth between frustration with myself and possible relief that this happened because I was doing some more research into the credits I still need and I found out that my advisor may have been incorrect in approving my credit plan. If I'm right, my current plan would leave me 14 credits short in my non-major requirements (which are different from my pre-req requirements for some reason).

I went ahead and enrolled in five random classes while I wait for a response from my advisor. If that is the case then my graduation is still moved out a term, but at least I get to know about it now instead of three terms from now when I think I'm done.

[awick14]

Urg, that sucks. I hope you are able to get in at least a few more classes.

[wanderingenough]

I'm sorry! My advice would be to sign up for some backup classes in the meantime, get on the waiting lists for those you can, and in the event the waiting lists don't pan out by the first week stalk the needed classes during the drop/add period. Literally check the online registration every few hours that week.

[zarapipe]

I'm sorry that sucks! Definatley meet with your advisor asap! Their job is to help students register and get what classes they need. They can pull strings, talk to profs about an override, etc. Talk before winter break because when students are gone for break they will be working. Many students register for spring term but aren't able to make it financially or get put on academic probation so their classes are dropped. Something should hopefully open up.

[bk1]

That sucks! I'm pretty sure when I was in college we always hot emails to remind us. How odd that you didn't. Grrr!

[penelope]

I worked on the registrars end of things and I find it shocking emails weren't sent out. Registration time slots are such a big deal, especially for people at the end of their education. I would let them know, maybe it will help someone else down the road.

That said, you did right by contacting your advisor. And people drop and add classes so often it's mind boggling. That and change majors, which results in an entire schedule change. I would hold out hope that you will slide into a couple of them at least, before the semester starts. And, where I am, it's not unusual to have them change rooms for a class and add more seats.

[katespade]

UPDATE: I talked to my advisor today. She said that they don't send out an email and we're just expected to mark the registration dates on our calendar so that we remember to register at the right time. She also said that there is nothing I can do about the classes that are full, other than the wait-list.

Also, I was right about my plan being 14 credits short. She apparently didn't understand what I was saying during our last conversation in September, so I thought I was good to go with my plan but I'm not. So... it's actually a good thing that this happened because I wouldn't have figured that out otherwise. Which means that I have four terms left instead of three. But I was able to register for 18 credits of random pre-reqs so I should be good to go for winter term, even if I don't get into any of the classes I'm wait-listed for.

[awick14]

I'm glad it seems like everything is going to play out well.

[bk1]

Glad you caught it now.

[Deleted]

I'm glad you know exactly where you stand now and worked things out!

[grover]

I'm glad you remembered now so that you were able to register for pre-reqs before they filled up too. I'm surprised that they don't email registration reminders when registration opens.

[amaranth]

I'm sorry about the extra term, but glad it's working out and that you found out now!

[katespade]

Dec 10, 2015 7:46:45 GMT -5 oceanspray said:

Dec 9, 2015 20:46:01 GMT -5 katespade said:

UPDATE: I talked to my advisor today. She said that they don't send out an email and we're just expected to mark the registration dates on our calendar so that we remember to register at the right time. She also said that there is nothing I can do about the classes that are full, other than the wait-list.

Also, I was right about my plan being 14 credits short. She apparently didn't understand what I was saying during our last conversation in September, so I thought I was good to go with my plan but I'm not. So... it's actually a good thing that this happened because I wouldn't have figured that out otherwise. Which means that I have four terms left instead of three. But I was able to register for 18 credits of random pre-reqs so I should be good to go for winter term, even if I don't get into any of the classes I'm wait-listed for.

Yeah, that was my reaction, too, but she confirmed that in writing.