Planning Your Schedule

What you will need to do:

• Get a copy of your Degree Audit Report (DARS) online through MyBGSU .  Remember that your DARS report tells you what courses are required for your particular degree program and/or major.  Each section of the report tells you what courses can/must be taken in order to fulfill degree requirements.
• Refer to the online Schedule of Classes.  Click here for the latest version.
• Plan which courses you will take by using the handy schedule planner (pdf).  This tool will help you plot out your courses. You should make sure that courses don't overlap and that you have marked out times for work, family obligations, etc.
• Courses can be scheduled back to back.  But, also remember that time between classes is a good time to study and to get other work done on campus.
• As you plan your schedule, be sure to think about how many hours you'll need to spend on each class each week.  Remember that you'll need at least two hours of study time for each hour you're in class each week.
• Check online here to make sure the classes you want are still open and available to you.

Course Placement

• A recent ACT score or a COMPASS test score will be used to determine your placement in English, reading, and mathematics.  If you are a transfer student, placement will depend on what you may have taken at your previous college.
• If you're not happy with your placement in English, reading, or mathematics, you may take (or retake) the COMPASS test once to try to get a better placement.  To make an appointment to take the COMPASS test, contact the Student Services office (101 West Building) at (419)433-5560, ext. 20676.
• It is suggested that you make every effort to take your initial English, reading, and mathematics courses during your first semester at BGSU.  However, depending on when you actually register for courses, some of these may not be available because they are filled.  If that happens, plan to take them in your second semester.
• A basic word processing class (CS 180) is required with your first English class at BGSU Firelands, so don't forget to plan for that course as well.

Meeting with your academic adviser:

• Make an appointment to meet with your academic adviser through the Student Services office (101 West Building).  We ask that you make your appointment at least 24 hours in advance.
• On the day of your appointment, bring a photo ID (your BGSU ID or your driver's license) to the Student Services office and pick up your advising file.  Advising files are not given out without proper identification!  (Please note that some advisers prefer to pick up advising files personally before they meet with advisees.)
• Be careful with your advising file as it contains valuable information that allows your adviser to do the best job possible in advising you.
• Go to your adviser's office at the scheduled time and give him/her your advising file.  Please be on time to meet your adviser!  If you cannot make the scheduled day/time to meet your adviser, please contact your adviser or the Student Services office.
• Take some time to discuss with your adviser the courses you plan to take, as well as your future academic plans.
• Remember that your adviser is the expert in your major field of study.  Be sure to ask what questions you may have, especially if you are not familiar with course content, course prerequisites, or course sequencing.
• Also remember that you alone bear all responsibility for meeting your graduation requirements.  Thus, meeting with an adviser is always strongly recommended even if you've been here for many years.