Have you ever been in a situation like this?
You open your Student Center ready to build the perfect schedule, but then realize the class you want to take has a prerequisite?
You're pretty sure you already took the pre-req, but you keep getting an error message.
Math is the next subject you need, but you’re not completely sure which math class you need.
Another class you want has only two seats left, and you want to enroll as soon as you can because your friend is also taking it, but you’re wondering if it even counts toward your degree.
At this point, you’re feeling flustered and helpless. Fortunately, Phoenix College students don’t have to figure out registration on their own.
Academic advisors at Phoenix College are available to help students understand their degree requirements, choose the courses they need each semester, and navigate the many decisions that come with college.
Whether you’re getting ready for your first semester at PC or you’ve been around long enough to know exactly how to ask for help, here are seven things advisors want you to know before building your next class schedule.
1. Don’t Wait to Talk to Your Advisor
Talking to an advisor the week before classes start might feel like the obvious move, but...
Waiting until the last minute to do so can affect your ability to find the schedule that best fits your lifestyle and goals.
Also, keep in mind that thousands of other students are also signing up for classes at the same time as you.
Trying to make important decisions while classes are filling up, and everyone else is also wanting an advising appointment at the same time you do, can make for a stressful experience.
Phoenix College advisor Julie Thometz recommends that continuing students use February and September as "reminder months" to check your progress and book your appointments.
“I would tell [continuing] students that March and October are when they should be registering for their next semester classes,” Thometz said.
Finding out what classes you need early is a lot less stressful than trying to figure them out while staring at a registration screen the week classes start.
2. Are you new to PC? Bear Tracks Embark Is Where You'll Get Your First Semester Schedule
If you’re new to college, your first advising experience at Phoenix College will begin at Bear Tracks Embark.
Bear Tracks Embark is PC’s required advising and registration session for new-to-college students.
During the session, you will learn everything you need to know about being a Phoenix College student and also get a chance to meet with an academic advisor.
You'll get an opportunity to get familiar with your Student Center and register for the first semester - all in one session.
Bear Tracks Embark is designed to help you go from “What classes do I take?” to walking out with your first-semester schedule and a better understanding of the path ahead.
You’re not expected to know how everything works on day one, and that’s exactly why Bear Tracks exists.
3. Your Friend’s Schedule Is Not Your Degree Plan
Your friend loved taking a Marketing class when she was a student at PC 10 years ago and recommends you take it too. Your cousin says everybody has to take Psychology since that's what someone told him when he first signed up. Someone in your group chat swears they know exactly which science course you need to get into Nursing since she did some research and found the program plan on Reddit last year.
We understand you rely on your friends and family for most things. But before you add anything to your college schedule, make sure the class you add is actually part of your degree plan by talking to an academic advisor.
Phoenix College offers degrees and certificates across different Fields of Interest, nine to be exact, and requirements can vary depending on what you’re studying and what you plan to do with your degree afterward.
Phoenix College advisor Sam Ortiz encourages students to “meet with your advisor EARLY to ensure your degree matches your goals and you're on track to graduate.”
Recommendations from friends and family are great when you're deciding where to eat after class.
Your degree requirements? Double-check those with an advisor first.
4. You’re Allowed to Say, “I Have No Idea What I Want to Do”
If there’s one question college students get constantly, it’s: “What are you majoring in?”
If your answer is currently “I’m not sure” or “I’m still figuring that out,” you are not behind, and that’s perfectly okay.
Fields of Interest are designed to help students explore related programs and career pathways.
You might know you’re interested in health care but not know which health care profession you want to work in. Maybe you love technology but haven’t decided whether programming, cybersecurity, or another pathway makes sense for you. That is exactly the kind of conversation you can start having with your advisor.
You don’t need to walk into Phoenix College with the next 20 years of your life mapped out, but it does help to start narrowing down your Field of Interest and thinking about where you may want to go in the future.
Wendera Phung, who advises both Business, Entrepreneurship, and Management and Computer and Information Technology field of interest students, summed it up perfectly: "Navigating college is like learning a new skill, and the more you know how, the better you will be."
5. Your Advisor Can Do a Lot, But They Can’t Read Minds 🔮
An advising appointment becomes much more useful when your advisor knows what’s on your mind.
Considering changing your major after your first year of school? Let them know.
Thinking about transferring to a university, maybe ASU or NAU? They can help with that.
Wondering if you’re on track to graduate? Definitely ask them!
Something as simple as “Am I taking the right classes for what I want to do?” can start an important conversation about your future. It's okay to not know, but that shouldn't prevent you from asking for help.
Your advisor can explain your options, but the more they know about your short- and long-term goals, the better they can help you get to where you want to go.
6. Before You Drop a Class, Talk to Someone
Sometimes dropping or withdrawing from a course is the right choice. Sometimes.
But if you do need to drop a class, make it an informed decision.
Dropping a class can potentially affect you more than you realize. Depending on your situation, there may be academic, financial aid, and graduation considerations to understand first.
The important thing is to think about why you feel like you need to drop the class.
Maybe you’re struggling in a math course and need additional academic support. Maybe you’ve realized that you learn better in person and want to choose a different class format next semester. Or maybe you registered for an evening class, but after working all day, you’ve discovered that a 7 PM class on Tuesdays and Thursdays isn't suitable since you're wiped out from your job.
Luckily, Phoenix College offers a variety of class delivery options designed to fit different schedules and learning styles.
So before clicking the drop button, take a moment to find out whether there may be another solution.
And if financial aid is part of the equation, advisor Sam Ortiz says students should take the time to understand how it works.
“Learn about Financial Aid eligibility and requirements,” Ortiz said. “It's not as simple as applying and getting free money.”
That means changes to your enrollment can have consequences you may not immediately see.
Before making any changes to your schedule, ask questions, understand your options, and make sure you fully understand how your decision could affect you.
7. We Are All Here for YOU!
"You have a community of support at PC that wants you to succeed!” said Phoenix College advisor Sam Ortiz.
And that support goes far beyond what academic advising can offer.
Phoenix College has resources set up all across campus dedicated to helping students navigate everything from personal challenges to career planning and even financial aid. Your advisor can often be the starting point for connecting you with the right person or resource.
So if an advisor tells you, “Here’s the office or person you should talk to,” they aren’t passing you off. They’re helping connect you with someone who specializes in what you need to help you resolve your situation.
Whatever help you need, you don’t have to figure it out alone.
--
Ready to start planning your next semester?
If you’re a new Phoenix College student, sign up for Bear Tracks Embark to meet with an academic advisor, learn how to navigate your Student Center, and register for your first-semester classes.
If you’re a continuing student, don’t wait! Schedule an advising appointment through the Phoenix College website to review your academic progress, and talk through any questions about your degree.
A little planning now can make registration a lot less stressful later.