By Komari Machida
With the end of Semester 1 right around the corner, AUC’s first-years are gearing up for an exciting milestone: their first proper AUC course registration, now with a taste of university academics. Although quite intimidating, it’s an opportunity to explore new fields, dive deeper into their favorite ones, and design a semester that reflects their growing interests.
To support them through this event, AUC’s academic departments hosted the Course Market event in the Common Room on Thursday, 20th of November, during lunch hours. The Course Market happens every semester, but this time, there was a twist: a Speed Dating event, where younger years could ask third years about their academic journey so far, what courses to take, and of course, the insider information only upper-years would know.
“As student council, we wanted to have this speed dating event specifically because the first years’ course registration for the first semester was so, so messy.” Laura Herberg Fernandez, the Student Council’s PR Manager and Communication Officer remarks. She reveals that the Student Council was looking for ways to prevent the confusion this time around. “So we thought it would be a great idea to have third years advise first years on what courses to choose.“
Come 12:45, the Common Room was filled with about 100 students attracted to various aspects of the event. Antamar Thiam, a 1st-year Social Science major, wanted to ask about the content and technicalities of taking a 300-level course. “I’m interested in it, but I wasn’t sure if I could really do it right now [as a first year]” she comments. Nudged by her friends, Saanika Sudeep, a 1st-year Humanities major, came to check the event out, and seek some advice on introductory course choices outside of her major.
The atmosphere was open, lively, and at times slightly overwhelming—students moved from table to table, trying to find answers and comparing their academic plans with friends they hadn’t seen in a while. There were stalls dedicated to each major (and the academic core), with professors answering questions about their courses, and giving helpful advice.
Indigo Morgenstern, a first-year Science major specializing in Computer Science, attended the event to get perspective from someone other than her tutor, who is in a different field. “I asked some computer science teachers about what courses I should be taking and how to look at masters programs,” she says, claiming the insights were helpful in considering her future plans. After talking with a professor, she also found a new course, outside of her track, which she’s interested in taking next year.
Further in the back of the room, the “Speed Dating” section was constantly filled with curious students, seeking wisdom from the upper-years in-person—a rare opportunity. The closer, personal atmosphere encouraged students to ask targeted questions about specific courses, like how difficult or relevant the courses are, the intensity of the workload, and what the professors and organization of the courses are like. Moreover, because students could see third-years’ entire academic schedule of their time at AUC, they could ask more general questions regarding their academic trajectories.
Sudeep participated in the session at the Humanities table. “I got some more information on what these courses actually look like in practice and whether I would really like it or not,” she recounts. She was suggested many additional courses to take, and felt excited about her academic future at AUC.
Still, the experience varied. Thiam, who specializes in International Relations, noted that the lack of third-years specializing in IR, meant that she could not ask for tailored advice on navigating her track. After the event, she looks forward to contacting the professors of courses she is interested in, to gather more specific advice. Morgenstern, who missed the Speed Dating due to the bustling nature of the event, talked about “trying to find 3rd-years by messaging the [AUC Academics] group chat.”
Overall, the course market was a great opportunity for students to gain clarity about academics in an accessible manner. Students echoed that the event struck a good balance between having professional help accessible, and being able to connect with upper years and gain practical insight.
As a second-year, more experienced with course registration, Fernandez wants first-years to take away that course registration is not as stressful as it seems. “It’s a lot at once because it’s new, but once you get the hang of it, it’s pretty chill. You don’t have to be afraid about these things and you can still ask people.”
The deadline for course registration of Semester 2 is 8 December at 13.00. Course registration is not on a first-come-first-served basis, so it is advised that students take their time to reflect on their academic goals with their Tutor and decide their course load.
Practical Information:
Registration of 30 ECs worth of AUC courses is necessary, even if you are taking off-campus courses; registering more than 30 ECs of AUC courses is prohibited in this period. Students can register up to 2 more courses during the late registration period, out of the courses that still have spots left. Students should make sure they satisfy all prerequisites required for the course.
If students do not have a full course load after the initial registration period, or did not get into courses they wanted, they can try registering for a different course, during the post registration period. This period is from Friday 12 December 10.00 to Tuesday 16 December, 13.00.
If students want to add more courses above the full course load, they may register for up to two more courses (for both the 16-week period and the intensive) during the late registration period from Monday 19 January, 10.00 to Monday 26 January, 13.00.
More information on Semester 2 course registration can be found here.
For registration for off-campus courses, find more information on AUC’s Student website, seek advice from your Tutor, or consult the Student Council.
Best of luck!
The Herring 