Scheduling Classes

Scheduling classes can sound intimidating, but with a few resources and helpful hints you can get the classes you need to stay on track!

Before scheduling it is a good idea to know what classes you need to take.  Here are some great resources for scheduling preparation: 

Website: http://www.engr.psu.edu/AcademicPlans/ 

This website is incredibly helpful for determining what classes need to be taken to stay on track for graduation.  The site contains academic plans for each Penn State campus and engineering major, making it easy for any Penn Stater to use.  Upon selecting the appropriate academic plan, the website lists the name of the class, the course number, and which semester it should be taken in.  By selecting the icon next to each class name more information about the class is revealed, specifically whether or not a C is required to move on.  Upon selecting a specific class, more information is revealed about the course including pre-requisites.  This is a helpful resource if you are unsure what classes to schedule on elion.  It also allows you to see what classes need to be taken in the future which allows you to plan and work ahead if desired.

It is always good to verify that you are staying on track, so a trip to the advising office before scheduling classes is always a great idea!

Website:  http://www.engr.psu.edu/Advising/

This website acts as a navigation point to a variety of additional scheduling sources.  Advisors are listed for both pre-major and in major students as well as Schreyer scholars, Millennium scholars, study or work abroad students and gives access to the engineering advising center and career resources.  By selecting the appropriate category into which the student fits, they will be able to schedule a meeting with their advisor to discuss their class choices.  This allows students to discuss adding, dropping or scheduling classes while advisors can verify a student is on track.  For pre-major students at University Park, scheduling can be done by the web appointment request system or by walk-in appointments.  Walk-in appointments are restricted time intervals and should be avoided if one can plan ahead.

And now to the day before scheduling…..

Website: https://elionnx.ais.psu.edu/

You will know what day you are to schedule by logging into elion and clicking on the schedule tab. In the drop-down menu it will read registration calendar.  By clicking on this link it will tell you the date you can schedule for example September 20.  IMPORTANT! You want to be online at 11:55 p.m. the night before you are meant to schedule.  For example, if you are to schedule September 20, be online on September 19 at 11:55 p.m.

The day before write down all your class numbers so you can quickly put them into the system.  The night before your scheduling date log into elion and into registration before it tells you that you cannot schedule yet.

Once it hits midnight its time to schedule!

Hit refresh and schedule those classes!  Simply type in the course number and hit submit.  It is a good idea to schedule the class with the least seats left first then schedule the rest.

If a class is already full do not worry welcome to the magic of watch list!  Simply go underneath the schedule tab in eLion and find the course watch list.  All you have to do is input the class number you desire and Penn State can notify you by texts and email when someone drops the class.  Sometimes, many people are watching the same class so it can be a race to see how can get on elion and claim it first may the odds be ever in your favor and good luck!

Sarah Markel is a junior majoring in Chemical Engineering, and is a Mentor for WEPO'15!