you are never ever ever getting into that course (like ever)

Hey aska,

I’m currently finding myself in a frustrating situation in terms of term two courses. As a first year student, when picking my schedule in August, I
wasn’t sure whether I’d want to pursue a specialist or a double major, so I ended up choosing courses that I no longer need (since I’m going with a
double major). As a result, I have two vacancies in my schedule – so I thought that I’d go ahead and satisfy my breadth… that was easier said than done. I literally sifted through the calendar (I know) and of the 40 possibilities (that could actually fit in with the remainder of my schedule), only 3 less-than-satisfactory courses aren’t full :/ I then decided to just look for fun courses that I could select instead (thinking I’ll just deal with breadth in year three or four), but they’re all full too. I just don’t know what to do anymore :/ (aaand keeping the physics and calc courses that I no longer need sounds terrible to me, since I suck at both). I just feel that the longer it takes me to figure this out, the more the wait lists will grow (and so will my panic). So what should I do? Should I pursue breadth or just fill my schedule with etc. courses? *How *do I actually get myself into courses at this point? I also feel uneasy about wait lists (since it seems like I’ll have to join some one way or another): is a number such as 65 waiting for 500 seats a long wait list? What happens if I don’t get in from the wait list – I’ll be short that credit! I know I just tossed a million questions at you, but I’m really anxious about all of this. Thanks so much for reading.

FirstYearIsWayTooStressful

?????????

Holy way too many questions.

Okay I’m going to answer these as well as I can and hopefully I don’t miss any.

When you’re choosing your courses for the S term just before it, yeah, seeing waitlist after waitlist is going to happen. I mean think about it: you were already behind fourth, third, and second year students in your initial enrollment, and then a lot of time has passed since then, meaning non-degree students and UTSC or UTM people get in your way too. It totally sucks but that’s just how it is.

So remember as a rule of university (and life, I suppose): never ever ever ever ever procrastinate! Granted, you didn’t figure things out until much later…

Anyhow, right now, since ROSI is essentially in its every-man-for-himself mode and you just keep refreshing course pages in hopes of a vacancy, you’re better off just taking what you can. Even if it isn’t a requirement, you can at least get something to fill in your 20 FCE right? Likewise, maybe you’ll even find something that interests you!

Don’t feel too stressed out. Unfortuantely, given how last minute it is, your choices are really limited, but I’m sure you’ll find something to fill the void with as long as you’re not too picky. But if you find that you really, really cannot find anything, then there’s always summer school. Or, since we’ve all been graced with those annoying flat fees, you can just take an extra course next year.

Happy course hunting!

aska