If Your School Has A Lot of Distribution Requirements

Before you fill out those course selection forms, refresh yourself on what distribution requirements your new school has. If you are attending a school that has a lot of distribution requirements, you should consider getting them out of the way as soon as possible, even if, and maybe especially if you're not the biggest fan of some of the subjects you have to take. I was an English major, but I still had to take two math and science classes. Though I got one of my courses out of the way during my first semester at school, I was miserable my senior year when I realized I had to take labor-intensive seminars for my major as well as finish up the distribution requirements I'd procrastinated on. The point is -- school only gets harder and more interesting as you go through it. If you know you're not going to love something but you still have to take it, you might as well get it out of the way sooner rather than later. Of course, if you have to take the spinach of math (as was the case for me), balance it with the treat of something you like.

If You Know What You Want To Major In

Another factor to consider when selecting courses for the first time is your major -- if you know what it is. If you want to be a political science major, for example, then you should put PoliSci 101 as your first choice. Look at the courses you know you'll want to take offered by your major department, and sign up for them. By getting pre-requisites in your major out of the way as soon as possible, you will be able to move on to the more exciting courses in your discipline that much more quickly. Plus, if you know before entering what your major will be, by beginning your college career in that subject area, you'll be able to take more of what you love.

If You Have No Idea Of What Major You Want To Pursue

If you have no clue about what your major will be, you should give it a little thought during your course selection process. Pretend the course catalog is the catalog from your favorite merchant, and sit down with a pack of Post-It Notes. When you see something in the catalog you might like to take, mark the place. Once you're through the catalog, sit down and reflect about what would make you happiest to pursue during your first semester, and sign up for those classes.