Top 10 Registration Tips
Stay on course to a trouble-free enrollment experience with these "Top 10 Registration Tips."
- Plan your courses for the upcoming term using the Degree Planning Tools. Save time by making every unit count.
- Manage time by knowing when to register, wait-list, add with permission numbers and more.
- Look for and clear any holds that may prevent you from enrolling in classes, including the Title IX registration hold.
- Make an appointment for academic advising. Run your DPR/Planner beforehand to review with your advisor.
- Design a few possible schedules.
- Use Class Search (no login required) to filter courses by instruction mode (e.g., in person, online or hybrid), meeting days and more. You can view a tentative Schedule of Classes for future terms quite early; however, it’s subject to change as we near the start of registration.
- Generate all possible schedules in seconds with Registration Planner (login required). Choose the times you want to attend classes and save favorites. As your enrollment appointment nears, validate your favorite schedule, adjust as needed and send it to your cart, ready to submit when your appointment arrives.
- Be strategic and flexible. Add priority classes first. Wait-list for closed classes. Swap classes as a safer way to drop; if the swap doesn't work, you'll still have your seat in the first class. If stuck, reach out to your advisor.
- Drop classes you no longer want to avoid a grade of “WU” (unauthorized withdrawal), which counts as an “F” in GPA calculation. At the same time, be mindful of the precautions for reducing units.*
- You may continue to adjust your schedule as needed through the end of the Late Registration period. When access to self-service registration ends, formal approval is required to drop or change grading basis.* Learn more at Late Schedule Changes and follow formal withdrawal procedures when dropping one or more classes.
- Check your student financial account balance whenever you add or drop classes. Pay tuition and other fees before the payment due date.
- Ask for help if needed! Your academic advisor and the Office of the Registrar (Records and Registration) are ready to assist you. If it’s after hours, take advantage of the How-To Guides and Registration Policies and FAQ, or complete the Troubleshoot Enrollment Request webform.
*Note: Beginning with the fall 2025 semester after classes begin:
- Graduate (i.e., master's, doctorate, credential and certificate) students can drop classes online using self-service registration until the end of Week 3 (the third Friday) of fall or spring classes.
- Undergraduate students, including those working toward second bachelor's degrees, continue to have until the end of Week 4 (date can vary) to drop classes online.
Find exact dates in the Registration Calendar.