FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM JANUARY 14, 2021 • THE QUEENS COURIER 23
education
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The clock is ticking to register for
spring classes at New York City colleges
BY ROBERT POZARYCKI
rpozarycki@qns.com
@robbpoz
Colleges and universities across the
New York City area are registering students
for the spring semester now, so
you’ll need to move quickly to sign up
for the classes you want.
If you want to complete your application
and registration process on time,
act now, by checking the details of your
desired college’s application deadlines.
Registration deadlines for new students
at most institutions are mid- to
late January, and the ongoing COVID-
19 pandemic will likely result in most,
if not all, spring classes being held
online.
With vaccine developments progressing,
the spring 2021 semester will hopefully
be the last of the pandemic era,
and if the rollout is successful, in-person
classes may return in the fall.
For the moment, however, virtual
courses offer personal safety and education
from the comfort of your home.
For New Yorkers who are looking to
enter or expand their education, enrolling
now, and locally, is a great idea.
Courses can be completed right from
your living room or bedroom — no
need to spend thousands of dollars a
year on dorm rooms or supplies.
Even so, enrolling in college —
whether it’s your first time, or your
return after years away from the classroom
— can be overwhelming.
The selection of courses offered at
most colleges and universities are vast,
and it can be quite challenging to find
the right ones in balance with your
core requirements to create the ideal
education schedule.
Th e College Board, a nonprofi t organization
that aims to expand higher education
access to Americans, off ers some
advice for prospective studentsas they
consider registering classes for the spring:
Consider all your options available.
Don’t just settle on one college right
away; consider several candidates and
choose the one that’s right for you based
on access, aff ordability and educational
opportunities, among other criteria.
Create the schedule that’s right for you.
Th e path to a college degree is a marathon,
not a sprint. Try not to schedule too many
classes early on to avoid burnout. Choose
a schedule that meets the requisite number
of semester credits, but also allows
you the time to rest, study, prepare reports
and refi ne your skills.
Seek out an adviser’s help. Th is is especially
true for fi rst-time college students
who might fi nd diffi culty creating a schedule.
Reach out to a college adviser in your
fi eld of interest to help you determine the
best path forward.
Clear the core requirements early. Your
fi rst years in college should not just focus
primarily on your fi eld of study, but also
meeting the core curriculum so you can
concentrate more on your major as graduation
day draws nearer.
Maintain balance in your course schedule.
Try not to challenge yourself early
on by taking more advanced classes. Save
those for later in your academic career.
Seek out college credits and fi nancial aid.
Visit collegeboard.org, to fi nd resources.
Take a writing course to help you better
prepare for term papers and adopt your
writing style. Register early. Th e earlier
you register, the better chance you have to
obtain the classes you want.
With additional reporting by Hazel
Shahgholi.
/collegeboard.org
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