Peer Advisor Spotlight: New Semester, New Decisions
by Jeremy Freeman, CALS Junior majoring in Applied Economics and Management
The first few weeks of a semester here at Cornell can be hectic. While some students attend their first classes with nothing more than a pencil, others stand in packed lecture halls with the hope of being placed on the illusive waiting list. Almost every student has experienced an early morning battle with Oracle via course enroll, but for many students, the real battle of enrollment begins once we’ve returned to campus. Luckily for you, CALS Student Services is here to help you fight the battle.
Add/drop forms can be found outside of our front door at 140 Roberts Hall. This form allows students to manually add and/or drop classes that have been closed after the pre-enrollment period. While many classes are listed as full on Student Center, professors have the ability to add you to their rosters. So if you really need a certain course and it appears to be full, be proactive. Grab a form, attend the class, and respectfully approach your professor. Odds are that if you’re looking to add the class, someone will be dropping it. Have faith, be patient and you’ll be fine! The last day to add a class is just around the corner. All forms must be submitted to front desk of CALS Student Services by 4:30pm on Wednesday, September 11th. While this deadline might seem to be a little early, students are encouraged to settle in order to avoid falling behind in coursework. In contrast, the deadline to drop a course occurs much later and gives you the ability to take at least one preliminary exam before deciding to keep the class. By 3:30pm on Friday, October 18th, any request to drop courses must be submitted. CALS gives you options, take advantage of them!
In addition to deciding which classes to keep, another crucial decision you might face during the beginning of the semester is the grading option for various courses. Depending upon your major, some courses require that students are given a traditional letter grade. There isn’t much you can do to affect your department’s grading decision, so be sure to check with your advisor if you have any questions. Many courses, especially those that are considered electives, allow you to select a satisfactory or unsatisfactory grading option. Typically, a satisfactory grade is awarded if you achieve the equivalent of a C- or better. The S/U option can decrease your workload for certain classes and allow you to spend a few more hours per week on a core class. As a freshman, you’re only allowed to take one class with the S/U grading option, so be sure to speak with your major advisor before making your decision.
As you settle in for your first full week of classes, be sure to meet with your advisor if you have any questions about the direction you should take in regards to classes. They want to help you make the most informed decisions possible. The CALS Student Services office is more than willing to answer any questions you might, so feel free to call or stop by. College is all about decisions and your first semester is only the beginning.