Summer is one of the busiest seasons of the year, especially for incoming international students who are attending classes in the U.S. for the first time. As most college students know, registering for classes can be a big hassle, but you might find the process less stressful if you follow these simple instructions from someone who had been there and done that!
1. Attend the International Student Orientation
The international student orientation is mandatory for new international students in most schools. During the orientation, international advisers talk about instructions on registration and provide valuable formation such as how to adapt to a new culture, visa status maintenance, and health insurance.
2. Get Health Insurance
One of the most important things for international students to do before signing up for classes is making sure that they have been insured under a health insurance plan. In the U.S., health insurance is one of the most important things a person could have, since a simple medical procedure can cost up to thousands of dollars.
Most insurance plans from private universities can cost up to thousands of dollars per year, something that not every international student can afford. Luckily, companies such as ISO Student Health Insurance, one of the biggest international student health insurance companies in the country, can provide more affordable plans with the same benefits. After all, there’s nothing more important than having a safety net to fall back on.
3. Meet with Your Advisor: When and what (courses) to register
After applying for health insurance, students really need to know their core classes, which are the classes that they must take in order to graduate. In most schools, each student is assigned with a specific time to sign up for classes, therefore, always make sure you know what classes you need to take before your register deadline. You would ‘shop’ for classes during the ‘add/drop’ period. If you don’t have a list of classes ready at hand, someone else might sign up before you, and leave you with classes that no one else wants to take.
4. Credits
Another important tip to remember when registering for classes is the number of credits you need. While some classes have three credits or four credits, there are also classes that only have one credit, such as sport classes like swimming or tennis. Make sure that you have enough credits to be considered as a full time student; otherwise your status in the U.S. might be affected if you become a part time.
5. Plan out your schedule
Lastly, make sure that classes you need to take can fit into your schedule. Always plan ahead and know exactly what time slot each class would fall under. One of the most troublesome things is having two classes at the same time, since you must give one up to take the other. Therefore, always have a blue print of the classes you need and plan out accordingly. This way, you can have all the classes you need without all the unnecessary stress.
Registering for classes might seem a bit scary for most first-timers, but it is also a good experience that teaches students how to become more organized and responsible. Going off to college can be an intimidating thing, especially when you are travelling from thousands of miles away. However, with dedication, organization and the right insurance plan, your time in the U.S. will a breeze!
