Class registration can be a barrier to students’ academic pursuits or their degree completion.
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A critical mechanism of keeping students retained from one academic term to the next is class registration. Registration periods are essential—but also often complicated and stressful for students.
During enrollment, many students are given schedules or assisted as they navigate registering for classes, but consistent problems throughout a student’s academic tenure can impact their time to degree and their ability to complete.
Colleges and universities can reduce complications for learners with intentional outreach, digital nudges and improving systems for student registration.
Students say: Student fellows for the Advising Success Network created a Student Journey Map that outlines students’ feelings as they navigate higher education. About class registration, the fellows wrote that they often feel confused rather than empowered.
Students’ woes with class registration go beyond emotional distress, as well.
In a winter 2023 Student Voice survey by Inside Higher Ed and College Pulse, over one-quarter of college undergrads said a class they needed to graduate wasn’t available the semester they wanted to take it, or a class they needed for graduation was full before they could register.
Fewer than 15 percent of students said they were impacted by poor advising; either they got a recommendation to take a course that they didn’t fulfill a needed requirement or were not told that they needed a time-specific course.
Around one in five students also experienced institutional barriers to enrolling in courses, including needing special permission or enrollment in a particular program or experiencing a hold that prevented them from registering for courses.
An Ad Astra survey of Hispanic Development Fund Scholars found 25 percent of respondents experienced registration difficulties frequently or somewhat frequently, and over half (53 percent) were concerned that the inability to register for essential courses would hinder their on-time graduation.
A helping hand: Colleges and universities can support students during class registration periods by:
- Hosting class registration events. The University of Kentucky’s Office of Academic Advising hosted a weeklong event, Gettin’ Classy, in November during which advisers from each of the institution’s academic colleges helped students register for winter and spring 2025 courses. The advisers also assisted with planning and verifying schedules for the upcoming terms, with partner offices available to assist with students’ holds or other concerns as needed.
“We know that the process of registering for classes can be stressful for our students, and it tends to happen at a time in the academic calendar that is already high pressure,” Adam Smith, executive director of academic advising, said in a university press release. “Gettin’ Classy is UK’s way of taking an often-intimidating process and hosting it in a low-stress atmosphere. Our advising community and campus partners look forward to helping students set up their schedules in a fun and easy-to-access environment.”
- Creating academic plans. Intentional advising prior to class registration periods can help alleviate students’ confusion and make them feel equipped to make decisions about what credits they’ll earn in the upcoming term.
At Tallahassee State College, previously Tallahassee Community College, students planning to transfer receive a curricular map that guides them through the requirements of their program of study as well as individualized plans that help them select exactly the courses they need for registration. The process also pulls curriculum requirements from partner four-year institutions for students looking to transfer, reducing credit loss.
- Using tech to share up-to-date information. Deadline reminders and timely support can also reduce the last-minute rush of signing up for classes, and digital tools can streamline these interventions.
Moorpark College in California has implemented two-way texting for a variety of student support measures on campus, including for class registration. College leaders found one in four students who received a text related to course registration had enrolled within the week, compared to 15 percent of students who did not receive a text.
Northern Illinois University’s College of Liberal Arts uses EAB’s Navigate to send notifications and nudges that help students schedule appointments and engage with advising staff prior to registration periods.
- Expanding priority registration. Sometimes the hour or location of classes can impact student success. Priority registration can help address inequities or life challenges that can hinder students’ academic achievement.
Many colleges and universities offer priority registration to students with conflicts in their schedules related to their extracurriculars, such as student athletes, and some have expanded priority registration to learners with external conflicts, such as student parents. Colleges may also extend priority registration to student veterans, as a thank-you for their service.
Public institutions in California are required to provide priority registration to learners with dependents under 18 years old, to help with retention and remove systemic barriers to access.
Students with disabilities can also request or may be granted priority registration to accommodate their needs, such as if they need to complete a class in a mobility-accessible location.
California State University, Northridge, extends priority registration to students who volunteer as new student orientation leaders or note takers for the disability services office.
Do you have an academic intervention that might help others improve student success? Tell us about it.
