Deep breath, first-years.

It’s the first week of classes, and we know what that means: everyone’s desperately trying to get off the waitlist and into their first-choice classes. Senior Staff Writer Abby Rubel has some advice.

1. Seriously consider your chances. What’s your class standing? How big is the class? How far down are you on the waitlist? If you’re a first-year trying to get into a small seminar, you likely won’t. (Sorry. We’ve all got to pay our dues.) If you’re trying to get into a large lecture and you’re pretty high on the waitlist, the odds are much better.
2. Think about your reasons for taking this class. Is this something you’re demonstrably passionate about? Or does the class just seem easy and fit with your schedule? If it’s the former, it’s easier to persuade a professor that you deserve preference. If it’s the latter, try to come up with a more convincing reason.
3. Decide how to contact the professor in question. Office hours has the benefit of showing more effort because you actually cared to show up, but you have to know what you want to say. This also involves finding out when their office hours are. If you go to the first class, it’s usually on the syllabus or at least mentioned. Also, go to the first class if at all possible. Even if you have four classes that day. It shows commitment to the class. Email allows you to consider carefully what you say and phrase it eloquently, but is less personal and shows less effort. Don’t be afraid to flatter them a little bit. You do really want to take this class, right? There’s a reason for that.
4. Contact the professor! Keep your fingers crossed. If you don’t get in, don’t freak out. There are tons of amazing classes here.

Sample email (because most of you will do this):

Dear Professor X,

I’m a first-year in CC, hoping to major in Mutant Studies. My COOP** leader, Jean Gray, is also a Mutant Studies major and she highly recommended that I take your introduction course to Mutant Philosophy. I registered for the class as soon as my registration appointment was available, but I’m currently 24th on the waitlist.

After attending the first day of class, I believe that it will give me a grounding in the issues concerning mutants that will be essential throughout my four years here. Would it be possible for you to allow me in the class? I understand that, as a first-year, I have low priority, but I don’t want to wait to take your class because of the other avenues of exploration it could show me.

Best,
Scott Summers

And don’t forget where your towel is via Flickr