In GradeUP! Challenge #19: Plan For a Big Finish I gave some advice on planning for a strong finish this semester. However, unless your graduating this semester (if you are, congratulations), there’s more than a semester to plan for. So, I’m taking off my professor hat and putting on my academic advisor hat and we are shifting our focus to the long view.

It is time to preregister for next semester. Here’s a step-by-step checklist that takes the long view by planning for the upcoming semester and the rest of your time in college:

• First, you need to know where you are right now so get whatever documents you need from the registrar or on-line system to see what you’ve taken, the grades you’ve earned and what courses you have left to take;
• If there are any errors (what you have verses what’s on file with the registrar) or there’s something you don’t understand, deal with it right now – don’t assume it’s a “glitch” in the system, it’s not;
• Use the information on file with the registrar to plan courses you’ll take next semester and every semester all the way to graduation;
• Make sure that when you’re scheduling courses, you plan to take them when they’re offered and that you’ll have completed any prerequisite courses you need to take;
• Take this plan to your advisor to confirm you did it correctly and then register for next semester – don’t put it off, classes fill up;
• Update your plan anytime something requires rescheduling of courses and be sure to check on how a change in one semester effects your plans for later semesters – keep your plan current all the way to graduation.

Following these steps means you’ll never say, “I didn’t know I had to take that course,” or “I didn’t know this course wasn’t offered this semester. I need it go graduate!” Or, my favorite, “OMG the curriculum changed – didn’t it?!!”

By taking the long view of your college career, you’ll know where you’re going, how you’re going to get there and when you’ll arrive. You’ll also know:

• When you’re graduating so you can let others know well ahead of time; and
• How many courses you have left to take and how much money you’ll need to take them.

Don’t let things you do today based on poor planning or no planning come back to haunt you in future and, cost you time, effort and money. Plan for now and the future – that’s the long view, the smart way to finish your degree.

All previous GradeUP! Challenges are available on the GradeUP! Challenge Week-by-Week page.

You can learn more about planning your college career in Chapter 8 of College in Four Years; Making Every Semester Count.