Four ways to improve course enrollment for current students

A key way to keep students on track from one course theme to the next is class registration. Enrollment periods are important—but also often complicated and stressful for students.

During enrollment, most students are given schedules or help as they navigate and register for classes, but persistent problems during a student’s study period can impact their degree time and ability to complete.

Colleges and universities can reduce problems for students through targeted outreach, digital migration and improved student enrollment systems.

Students say: Advising Success Network student partners have created a Student Journey Map that describes students’ emotions as they navigate higher education. Regarding class enrollment, colleagues wrote that they often felt confused rather than empowered.

Students’ problems with class registration go beyond emotional stress, too.

In the winter the 2023 Student Voice survey conducted by Within Higher Ed and College Pulse, more than a quarter of college juniors said the class they needed to graduate wasn’t available the semester they wanted to take it, or the class they needed to graduate was full before they enrolled.

Less than 15 percent of students said they were affected by bad counseling; they may have received a recommendation to take a course that they did not meet the required requirement for or were not told that they needed a course that was relevant to the time.

About one in five students also encountered institutional barriers to enrolling in courses, including needing special permission or enrollment in a specific program or having a hold that prevented them from enrolling in courses.

Ad Astra’s survey of Hispanic Development Fund scholars found that 25 percent of respondents experienced difficulty enrolling frequently or occasionally, and more than half (53 percent) were concerned that not being able to enroll in important courses would interfere with their timely graduation.

A helping hand: Colleges and universities can support students during class registration by:

• To host class registration events. The University of Kentucky’s Office of Academic Advising hosted a weeklong event, Gettin’ Classy, ​​in November where advisors from each of the institution’s colleges of education helped students register for courses for the winter and spring of 2025. Advisors also help with planning and confirming schedules for the upcoming term, and partner offices are available to assist with student finances or other concerns as needed.

“We know the class registration process can be stressful for our students, and it often happens during an already stressful academic calendar,” said Adam Smith, executive director of academic advising, in a university statement. release. “Gettin’ Classy is the UK’s way of taking the most intimidating process and holding it in a low-stress environment. Our advising community and campus partners look forward to helping students organize their schedules in a fun and accessible environment.”

• Creating educational programs. Intentional counseling prior to class registration sessions can help ease students’ confusion and make them feel equipped to make decisions about what credits they will earn in the future.

At Tallahassee State College, formerly Tallahassee Community College, students who plan to transfer receive a curriculum map that guides them through their program of study requirements and individual programs that help them choose the courses they need to enroll in. The program also streamlines the curriculum requirements from its four-year partner institutions for transfer students, reducing credit loss.

• Using technology to share the latest information. Deadline reminders and timely support can also reduce the rush of last-minute registrations for classes, and digital tools can make this intervention easier.

Moorpark College in California has launched two-way messaging for various forms of student support on campus, including class registration. College leaders found one in four students who received a text related to course registration enrolled within a week, compared to 15 percent of students who did not receive a text.

Northern Illinois University’s College of Liberal Arts uses EAB’s Navigate to send notifications and prompts that help students schedule appointments and engage with advising staff prior to registration periods.

• To extend the registration priority. Sometimes the time or location of classes can affect student success. Priority enrollment can help address disparities or life challenges that may hinder students’ academic success.

Many colleges and universities offer priority enrollment to students with conflicts in their programs related to their extracurriculars, such as student-athletes, and some have extended priority enrollment to students with extracurricular conflicts, such as parents of students. Colleges may also extend priority enrollment to veteran students, as a way of thanking them for their service.

Public institutions in California are required to provide priority enrollment to dependent students under the age of 18, to assist with retention and remove systemic barriers to access.

Students with disabilities may also request or be granted special enrollment to meet their needs, such as needing to complete a class in an accessible location.

California State University, Northridge, is extending priority enrollment to students who volunteer as new study leaders or note takers in the disability services office.

Do you have an educational intervention that can help others improve student achievement? Tell us about it.