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Inside Admissions

Tufts Admissions Team

Enrollment Day

Dec 10
Sam Jonas Jumbo Talk

 

Enrolling for classes has a unique way of turning the excitement of a new semester into a high-stakes game. Crafting a schedule feels like trying to solve a complex puzzle where each piece needs to fit just right to create a masterpiece. It's not just about meeting degree requirements; it's an artful dance to ensure your semester doesn't become a chaotic mess.

It's a delicate balancing act, trying to find classes that won't turn your brain into mush, all while leaving room for the essentials – meals, sleep, and, you know, a bit of a life outside of academia. And let's talk about the race against the clock. It's like participating in a high-stakes game show where the clock is ticking, and you're frantically trying to snag a spot in that coveted class. When a course is full, it's not just a disappointment; it's a full-on battle against the ticking seconds.

It's a war zone out there, with the battlefield being the online SIS portal, and the weapon of choice? The mouse click. The green boxes become your allies, and you fight tooth and nail to secure those precious spots within the merciless time constraints. It's a war many have yet to master, a strategic challenge that keeps us on the edge of my seat every enrollment season.

Yet, in the midst of this academic battlefield, there's a certain thrill, a sense of accomplishment when you emerge victorious with a well-crafted schedule. It's a battle-tested plan that you've strategically maneuvered, and it becomes the blueprint for your upcoming academic conquest. Enrolling for classes may be my least favorite time of the year, but it's also a challenge I'm determined to conquer with each passing semester.

Here's my chunk of wisdom for the class enrollment rodeo: kick off the season by conferencing with your advisor early. It's like getting the insider scoop on a blockbuster movie before it hits theaters. Together, concoct a game plan, complete with backup options for that unexpected plot twist.

Now, I get it; some of us are tempted to load up our plate with every course under the academic sun. But here's the secret sauce: moderation. Don't turn your semester into a cram session marathon. Keep some breathing room for leisure, a.k.a. sanity preservation.

And here's a revolutionary idea – sprinkle a bit of variety into your schedule. Don't go all-in on one requirement like it's the only flavor of ice cream in the universe. Balance is the key to a delicious academic sundae.

Oh, and mark this in neon on your mental calendar: enrollment day. Set alarms, tie a string around your finger, do whatever it takes to make sure you're front and center when the enrollment curtain lifts. It's like scoring tickets to a concert featuring your favorite band; you don't want to be fashionably late and miss out on the best seats in the academic arena.
So, in summary: early advisor meetings, backup plans that rival a superhero's contingency strategy, moderation in course selection, a sprinkle of variety, and an alarm that could wake the dead on enrollment day. Follow this playbook, and you'll be strutting through the semester like a VIP at a red carpet event. And remember! If things start to feel overwhelming, don't hesitate to make adjustments or drop certain elements. Remember, there's no need to put too much dip on your chip—take things at a manageable pace, and prioritize your well-being.

About the Author

Sam Jonas

email me with any questions! (send dog pics if applicable)

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Tufts University

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