Class registration

Class registration season has arrived! We have all the information on how it works for your student at Carolina. While this is something your student will do independently, it’s good for you to know how it works, and even arm yourself with some advice if need be!

UNC Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz recently announced the official academic calendar for the 2021 spring semester. UNC has delayed the beginning of the semester until January 19, with the last day of classes on May 5. Final exams will run during the week of May 7 to May 14. 

One important thing to note is that registration for spring classes begins on November 30 – soon after your student finishes their final exams. UNC is implementing registration assignments differently this semester, as well. Students will be assigned a “registration block” via ConnectCarolina giving them a date and three hour window during which they can register for classes. These blocks are based on how many credit hours the student has taken, as opposed to terms in residence. 

Students will then have until January 25, six days after classes begin, for late registration.

Where To Start

UNC offers a registration video series for all students to familiarize themselves with the registration process. These videos cover everything from how to determine classes for each semester, to the logistics of enrolling in those classes through ConnectCarolina. 

The ConnectCarolina student center also has a useful tool called the UNC Schedule Planner, which your student can utilize to plan out hypothetical schedules for different classes. 

Remember: You should not log into ConnectCarolina to register for classes for your student. 

What if my student comes to me with questions about what classes to take?

Encourage your student to consider their graduation requirements. Have they fulfilled all of their mandatory general education classes? Are they on track with major requirements? If your student has yet to declare a major, you could have a conversation with them about their interests and passions, and encourage them to look through the UNC catalog of undergraduate programs of study. Furthermore, the course catalog is always a helpful tool.

Another important aspect of classes is the professor. You may want to encourage your student to consider their professors as much as potential class content, as teaching style can impact your student’s experience in a class. Sources such as Rate My Professor or even reviews from peers can all help your student determine if they would be a good fit.  

Finally, academic advising is always open to students. Advisors are currently conducting virtual meetings only, but they can be scheduled the same way as in-person meetings. The academic advising website contains information on scheduling appointments, important dates for your students and a portal to schedule an appointment with an advisor or even participate in drop-in advising hours. 

Keep In Mind

It’s important to keep in mind that the process of actually registering for classes is something your student must do on their own, but this does not mean you cannot be a source of advice or aid during this process. Knowing the right resources to direct them to and the best questions to ask can prove invaluable as they navigate this process, especially during these unprecedented times.