As registration for Spring 2024 courses continues, some students express their struggles and concerns about using the web course application during their assigned time slot.
Course registration began October 23 on MyUSC. In preparation, some students used websites like Rate My Professor to get a preview of potential courses to take and what to expect with instructors in terms of rigor, grading and overall experience.
For some USC students, professors are the most important factor when considering courses.
Pavan Magesh, a second year grad student in computer science, said it’s crucial for students to “do [their] research on the professor. Sometimes the same course is offered by different professors, and you want to take the one who’s better for you.”
Magesh, like many, refers to Rate My Professor to see students’ previous experiences. However, he said many courses have no professor currently listed in the course selection page, which leaves him waiting to see the name of the professor before he actually registers.
Taib Isa, a junior in pharmaceutical science, said that he consults Rate My Professor “every single time.”
“If their rating is below a four, I’m not doing it,” he remarked.
Some students have also taken to Sidechat, a social media platform to anonymously post texts, images, polls or memes to share their concerns and struggles while registering.
Some comments included:
“Why are none of the GE classes opening up, WTF?”
“None of the classes I want are gonna open by the time I can sign up for them.”
One user uploaded a photo of the web registration page displaying a textbox that read, “The system is currently not available for class registration.”
Students say these troubles extend to even major-required courses.
“Since I didn’t transfer any AP credits, I was always put on the last registration day,” said Isa. “I never really got the courses that I wanted, and that sometimes became a hindrance, especially if they’re major requirements. How can I have a major requirement and not be able to register for the class?”
Emily Rodriguez, a freshman studying mechanical engineering, said that her first time registering for courses went smoothly, but expressed concerns with Spring semester.
“I’m a little worried now because I hear that it does bug out a bit,” she said. “There’s just a lot of people on there.”
Despite the frustration, students offered some tips that could make registration go more smoothly.
Isa advised other students to download a Chrome extension that enables students to see which classes are full and get notified on whether or not a spot opens up. Additionally, the extension includes professor ratings and indicates any overlapping courses, which makes it easier to piece a schedule together.
Anna Kasbayan, a junior studying biological sciences, recommended drafting multiple schedules in order to have “a lot of different options in case classes get full.”
Freshman architecture major Jemima Chery said she agrees.
“Make sure to have everything scheduled way before your registration date,” she said. “Even if your registration date isn’t coming up, look weeks in advance and check with your advisor to make sure that you’re on track with courses.”
When Annenberg Media contacted the Office of the Registrar for a comment, a spokesperson, Frank Chang, declined an interview until November 16, the last date for Spring 2024 registration.