How to Register for College Classes as an Education Major

Registering for college classes can be super difficult! But if you’re registering as an Education Major, there’s a few unique things you’ll have to think about when choosing and registering for college classes. Let’s take a look at how to register for college classes and build a college class schedule that works for you, as an education major!

Life as an education major means that you’ll likely be doing several hours of field experience each semester, on top of your regular college classes! This means there’s several things to consider when planning your weekly college schedule.

Follow Your Education Major’s College Class Order

Education classes seem to be ordered very specifically in terms of when you can take them, at least at my university. A big reason for this is because you will have to apply and be accepted to the School of Education at your university. At my university, you can only take a handful of education classes without being accepted into the School of Education. This means I could only take ED 300, 301, 303, 304, and 305 within my first few semesters.

Now, because I came in with a semester’s worth of credits, I was able to apply to the School of Education a semester early. Therefore, I have been able to take a mix of “early” classes like ED 306 (Curriculum and Instruction) and “later” classes with no prerequisites, like ED 323 (Children’s Literature). This has somewhat complicated my schedule because I started earlier than a majority of my classmates but it has also allowed me a larger range of flexibility in terms of classes, meaning I can worry less about being waitlisted for a college class!

Plan Beyond Your College Class Credits

As an Education Major, you will have to complete field experience hours (or practicals, or whatever your university calls it). When making a list of the classes that you have to take, include a column for the number of field experience hours required for that class.

As you start creating your college class schedule, keep in mind the number of field experience hours. Is it an amount you can handle on top of your regular college class hours, including study hours and work hours?

Bonus: After writing the hours, include any specific projects or requirements that might impact when you can do the field experience. This may not be the best example but let’s say that, for your Physical Education class, you need to attend a certain number of sports games. If you work or have class in the afternoon or evenings, when these games might happen, then you might not want to take Physical Education this semester but postpone the class for another semester when you have fewer responsibilities in the afternoon or evenings.

What are Your School’s Hours for Field Experience?

Are you studying to be an Elementary School teacher? Middle School? High School?

Well, since I am studying to be an Elementary School teacher, I know that I need to schedule my field experience before 2 PM. Why? Because that’s when the Elementary Schools end the school day in my area! It’s a simple thing to know, but it can have huge implications on your schedule. Now that you know the time frame you have to do your field experience, plan around it!

You don’t need to have field experience hours scheduled for every day of the week, but I suggest that you set aside at least two days of the week with a minimum of two hours for your field experience. This could be different for you, it just depends on your field experience hours and other responsibilities.

Bonus: Don’t forget about travel time for field experience! Take one day to figure out how long it takes for you to drive from your class or dorm to your field experience location. Time yourself from the very beginning (getting ready in your dorm room or start the timer inside the classroom where you will be leaving) to the very end (don’t stop the timer until you are inside your field experience classroom).

Study & Save for Educator Licensure Testing

Sorry to break it to you but, when you signed up for an Education Major, you signed up for more tests. It’s just the way it is! When you register for classes as an education major, you need to keep in mind when your licensure tests are going to happen so you have the information fresh in your mind!

In order to do this, you need to work backwards. Research what exams you need to take to get into the School of Education (PRAXIS I is likely what you will take) and when those are required.

Now that you know what test(s) you need to take, figure out what classes will best prepare you for the test(s) and take them the semester prior to when you are scheduled to take the educator licensure exams. Depending on your test-taking ability, you may need to take these exams more than once. I would say to give yourself enough time to take each test twice, even if you think you could pass it the first time.

Now, your university may already have the Education Major track, so this part could be taken care off for you, but it’s important to double-check! This is your degree, don’t leave it to chance.

There’s a special kind of stress when it comes to planning your college class schedule as an elementary education major. Not only do you have to make sure you’re getting the college classes you need to graduate but you also have to schedule time for field experience, school visits, licensure testing, and so much more!

I hope this post helped you create a college class schedule that works for you and isn’t too overwhelming during the college year!

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