Course Planning Advice

First Year Course Selection Advice

Choosing courses without the help of an advisor may seem overwhelming. To help you with this daunting task, we've prepared the following guidelines.

Before selecting courses, you should read your First Year Announcement of Courses carefully. Instructions for registration as well as other important guidelines and policies are located in this booklet.

First year students only need to select four courses. In order to select these courses, consider the following:

• 1. Consider taking a First Year seminar. Read through the descriptions of these courses in the First Year Seminar Brochure. Then select and rank the seminars that most interest you in myFirstYear. You will be assigned a seminar based on your ranking and your completion of your myFirstYear forms. If you choose not to take a first year seminar, you should take a first year writing course, unless you are exempt (see page 9 of your New Student Handbook for information about exemptions).
• 2. Consider foreign language study. Gettysburg College currently requires students to study foreign language through the 202 level. This can be done by continuing in a language you studied in high school or by beginning a new language. If you are continuing a language you have already studied, you should take the appropriate foreign language placement exam in Angel. You will receive your results and appropriate placement by the time pre-registration begins. Note: if you plan to continue a language you studied in high school, it is advisable that you continue immediately so that you do not have a gap in your language study; many students have difficulty continuing in a foreign language after having taken a break from it.
• 3. Look for courses that seem interesting to you. Use the First-Year Announcement of Courses pamphlet for courses appropriate for first-year students. Use the online College Catalogue or browse in the Student Center to find course descriptions. Most first year courses satisfy one or more of our curriculum requirements, so you should choose courses with an eye for what topics might challenge you or interest you in your first semester here rather than seeking to fulfill requirements.
• 4. Consider taking a natural science course while your high school science studies are still fresh in your mind. Gettysburg College currently requires students to take two natural science courses, one of which must be include a lab.
• 5. If you have a particular major in mind, read the advice for prospective majors listed in your Announcement of Courses booklet or on our website. BUT there is no need for you to have a particular major in mind at this time. Students do not typically declare their majors until their sophomore years, but you may be able to take a course to help you explore an area of interest in your first year.

After you complete your myFirsytYear forms and your pre-registration, you will be assigned a faculty advisor, whom you will meet during Orientation. You will have an opportunity to review and finalize your course selection with your advisor at that time.

If you have followed all of these steps and still have questions, contact the Office of Academic Advising at 717-337-6579 or Dean Cole at jcole@gettysburg.edu.