Enrollment for Fall Classes Begins

As the 2013 fall semester approaches, students and advisors have already begun enrollment for the next year.

Adawe LifePlan Center Advisor Sandra Marlatte is in the swing of things with meetings with her advisees.

“About 70 percent of the students have already enrolled for fall. It is always good to enroll early because some classes fill up fast,” Marlatte said. “The earlier you in enroll, the better the selection of classes available. Once classes start to close, it becomes harder to put together a schedule because there are fewer choices and time conflicts are always an issue.”

New students begin enrolling in April, so current students are advised to enroll before Marlatte said.

Advisors are meant to help students decide what classes to take for their intended major.

“Some students come in knowing what classes they want to take. But a lot of first and even second-year students are still trying to decide on a major. So they rely on us, as advisors, to guide them,” Marlatte said.

Enrolling for a new school year can be stressful for some students like sophomore Kristen Hansen.

“I am trying to get all my classes figured out in order to graduate on time, which means taking classes this summer,” Hansen said.

However, the process can also be exciting for students taking new classes like freshman Forrest Fowler.

“I have enrolled in a bunch of classes in the new jazz studies major to pursue my passion in music,” Fowler said. “Because of these new jazz studies classes, I already knew when I went in to my advisor meeting what classes I wanted to take.”

Along with jazz classes, Ottawa University is also offering other new courses.

“Dr. Boese and I are teaching a new class in the fall on hunger,” Marlatte said, “It is an interdisciplinary look at the causes and consequences of hunger as well as ways to respond to hunger domestically and globally.”

Marlatte encouraged students to be proactive about the enrollment process.

“I want my advisees to become familiar with what classes are required for everyone as well as for their majors and making appointments with their academic advisors as well as their Adawe Advisors to make sure they are on track for what they need,” Marlatte said.

Hansen said choosing electives keeps the process less stressful.

“I am already enrolled in the classes I need to take, but I am waiting to figure out my summer classes schedule so I can choose some fun electives to take next fall,” Hansen said.