Guide to Choosing Great Electives

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Guide to Choosing Great Electives
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• General or free electives give college or
  university students the opportunity to take
  classes that spark and satisfy their interests.
  Whether these electives are additional courses in
  your degree program or some other area of
  interest, such as music or art, these slots can
  be filled with electives that push you outside
  your comfort zone and open you up to new
  experiences. For example, you could take a
  theatre arts course to help with shyness,
  self-esteem issues, or social anxiety.

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• Most colleges and universities offer a huge
  number of electives, so narrowing your list of
  options may be a little overwhelming. Streamline
  your search with some of the tips below

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Formally or Informally Audit Potential Classes

• This is a tip that only works during or after
  the first semester, but its still a viable
  strategy for choosing electives. If youre
  curious but unsure about an elective, you could
  audit the course formally or informally. To
  formally audit a course, you must apply with your
  college or university. Upon approval, you will be
  able to sit in on, and even participate in, the
  class. You decide when to attend the course
  lectures and how much time to spend in the class
  or on coursework.

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• Formally audited courses will also appear on
  your transcript with no bearing on your grade
  point average (GPA). To perform an informal
  audit, ask a professor privately to sit in on
  their lectures. Most will be welcoming and allow
  this form of auditing. The entire process can be
  looked at like touring an off-campus apartment,
  such as Fanshawe College housing, before moving
  in.

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Consider Your Interests and Major

• For ideas on electives to take, look at your own
  interests and your major. For example, if youre
  interested in the the solar system, consider
  taking an astronomy course. Classes that match
  your interests offer major benefits, including
  providing relief from your normal academic
  schedule. You should also look for courses that
  fit your major or components of your major or
  future career.

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• Most majors are multi-faceted and offer
  interesting and exciting courses that can be
  taken as electives. In fact, some electives are
  tailored for certain majors. It could also be
  beneficial to take electives that can help you
  build soft skills for your future career.
  Humanities courses are advantageous to business
  majors, while statistics courses are advantageous
  to social science majors.

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Choose Your Electives Early

• The best electives will go quickly, so be
  decisive and choose your electives as early as
  possible. If you dont, you will have to choose
  from the leftovers. Leftover courses are those
  most students dont want to take because theyre
  notoriously mundane or difficult. Dont let this
  happen to you. Choose courses that match your
  interests or that are highly recommended.

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• For advice, check out online student forums,
  chat with former students or current
  upperclassmen, and ask your academic advisor for
  recommendations. Most academic advisors know
  which electives are popular or what will work
  well with your schedule. Besides, choosing your
  courses well before the semester begins leaves
  plenty of time to switch to others if your
  interests change.
• If you're getting organized for the upcoming
  school year but have yet to reserve your place in
  Fanshawe College housing, now's the time to book
  a tour of our off-campus residence. Contact us
  today!