Shopping Period Stress

Dear CRCers:  

My kid said they had a really hard time managing shopping period in the fall. They had a hard time getting into classes, and they didn't know how long to shop a class for fear of falling behind. It sounded like it was kind of hard. What should they do differently next time?  

Signed, Concerned Parent(s)

CRCer Eleni says:

Shopping period always comes with a lot of uncertainty. Although this was my fifth time shopping, I was still overwhelmed, wavering between courses, and unsure if I would get into the ones I need to take. 

I think the best way to take some of the stress off of shopping period is to be proactive. If there are any classes you know you want/need to take next semester, try emailing the professors in advance. Explain why you want to attend their course, and ask to be placed on a waitlist (if there's one). This way, even if you don't get a spot during pre-registration, you'll still have a good chance of getting in the course, as a lot of students might drop it during shopping period.

Another tip is to prioritize registering for capped courses during pre-registration, even if you end up dropping them later. Getting into uncapped courses is usually not an issue, so you will probably get in even if you don't pre-register. Try to ensure a spot in smaller classes that are harder to enroll in.

As for how long to shop a class, that's up to you. Sometimes insistence is key, but if you're like me-catching up with all the work that's piling up can be scary. I definitely recommend reaching out to the professor to see where you are on the waitlist and checking Courses@Brown often to see if any spots have opened. One thing I started doing this semester that really helped me is making a pros-and-cons list for every class I attended. During class, I jotted down all the things I liked and didn't like about the course: the professor's teaching style, the size of the class, how many assignments there are and when they're due. This can help you sort out and compare your classes, so you can make a more informed decision about what's best for your education.

My last piece of advice is to enjoy shopping period! I know it can be stressful, but it gives you the opportunity to explore courses and discover classes you might not have considered before but end up loving!