First year of college is both an exciting and hectic time. There may seem to be an endless list of things to get done. New students and their parents have a tendency to focus on tasks such as furnishing a dorm room, buying schools supplies and safety on campus. These are all important of course. However, there is one small yet major detail that sometimes gets overlooked. That one thing that seems to take a back seat is the selection of first year college courses. Here is a list of a few things to keep in mind when choosing classes for freshman year.

1) Think about your interests
There is no rush to declare a major. Freshman are not expected to know or declare a major however, having one in mind can put you ahead of the game or give you some direction. You may be able to get a prerequisite for a particular major completed if you feel that you have an idea what that major will be. You can also take a class that seems to be of interest to you to find out what it’s about. If you like it then great! If not, then you have ruled out a field of study that you will not choose to pursue.

2) Talk to Advisor
Your college advisor is one of the best sources to utilize before choosing your classes. If something seems unclear to you they will be able to answer any questions that you may have or point you in the right direction. College advisors will also inform you of the university requirements and deadlines.

3) Browse the catalog
Browsing the course catalog will give you a full view of all the classes your college has to offer. You may come across classes that are interest to you and worth trying out. You can also see what time particular courses are offered and get an idea of how you want to schedule your classes.

4) Balance your schedule
Balancing your school schedule is key to your success as a student. You will need to take into consideration what you feel works best for you. Do you prefer morning or evening classes? Do you want to have class each day or have certain days off? This is absolutely necessary if you plan to work. You will need to choose classes that coordinate with your work schedule and allow time for studying.

5) Keep Requirements in mind
When choosing classes it is a great idea to look for courses that are of interest to you. But one thing you need to keep in mind is whether or not the class will fulfill university requirements. If it does not then this could cost you extra money in the long run. By taking courses that do not count towards university requirements or your major it will likely lengthen your time at college.

6) Choose alternate classes
It’s nice to sit down and decide which classes you want to take and the times that are most desirable for you. But the reality is that it does not usually work out that easy. Classes are often full and you need to figure out what class you will take in its place. Having a list of alternate classes will save you from the stress of choosing an alternate class last minute.

7) Have a financial plan

8) Student loans, financial aid and saving money are all very common ways to pay for college expenses. Unfortunately, there are times when these funds for one reason or another are not readily available. A good way to plan for unexpected expenses is to keep an emergency credit card. Having a credit card for unexpected expenses can help you avoid financial emergencies that may arise. Your emergency credit card can pay for books, class fees and so much more. There are some expenses that you can not afford to put off for later and having a credit will ensure that you will not have to.