It’s that time of year, Hilltoppers. You’ve met with your advisor. You’ve scrolled through the long list of course offerings on TopNet. You’re ready for the rat race that is registration.
Sure, it may take place a little too early in the morning and it may be a slightly stressful process, but don’t let the thought of waking up at 5 a.m. to pick your preferred classes get you down. We’ve created a detailed schedule to make sure you have the perfect all-nighter leading up to your registration date.
7:55 p.m. – Stand in line at Starbucks
Grab a cup of coffee just minutes before the Starbucks on campus closes for the evening. You’re going to need a jolt of caffeine to get you through this evening.
If you’re lucky, maybe the barista will slide you one of the day’s leftover bakery treats for free before she slides the metal gate in front of the DSU coffee shop.
8:00 p.m. – Figure out what classes you need to take
Coffee in hand, it’s time to make your game plan. In a few short hours, you’ll be registering for the next semester’s classes. This is a big deal, so you should probably know what those classes are. Log on to TopNet and pull up your iCAP to see what requirements you still need to complete.
9:00 p.m. – Briefly consider changing your major
“I have to take WHAT?”
It’s okay. We all experience a second of panic when we see the long list courses we have to take. For you, this could include a momentary period of deep introspection, reconsidering everything you thought you knew.
“Is a degree in mechanical engineering really worth an 8 a.m. physics class?” you may silently ask yourself from the depths of your dark dorm room.
Yeah, it probably is.
9:30 p.m. – De-stress
The coffee is kicking in. Your heart rate is up. You may even be having a brief mid-semester crisis. At this point in your evening, it’s probably time for a little relaxation.
Try out some dorm room yoga or maybe even a little self-instructed tai chi. There’s no better way to ease the tension and get back on track.
10:30 – Weigh your options
Your TopNet session has definitely expired by this point. It’s time to log back in and scroll through the long list of course offerings under the “Schedule of Classes and ‘Look Up Classes to Add’” tab.
Have an empty space in your schedule and want to take something especially interesting? We’ve got you covered.
11:00 – Make your final decisions
It is time to find all of the necessary information that you probably should have gathered by now, course reference numbers (CRNs, if you’re in the know) included. Write these down on a sticky note or scrap piece of paper for guaranteed easy access in six short hours.
The hard part is over. Now it’s just a matter of staying awake until registration time. Sure, you could go to sleep, but where’s the fun in that? Besides, if you close your eyes, you run the risk of not waking up in time to fight for your dream Fall 2016 schedule.
12:00 a.m. – Go to GADS
Everyone knows the fresh donuts come out at midnight. Keep yourself awake by making a quick trip to Bowling Green’s favorite donut shop for a midnight snack.
1:00 a.m. – Scroll through Netflix
Back in the comfort of your dorm room, you have four hours to kill until registration officially begins.
Pass the time by catching up on that outdated series you’ve still never seen. Tired of being the only American who still hasn’t watched every episode of The Office? BingeClock.com estimates it would take a total of four days, three hours and 30 minutes to watch the whole series. Might as well start now.
2:00 a.m. – Use Pinterest to discover the latest college hacks
Pinterest is an unlimited supply of information and advice. Here, you can find links to information on just about everything. Want to know how to save money or trim your own bangs? What about how to make pasta in a coffeepot or a brownie in the microwave?
Pinterest provides countless suggestions. You’re guaranteed to find some way to occupy your time.
3:00 a.m. – Rearrange your room
It’s likely that you got really inspired as you scrolled through Pinterest. You have two hours of your all-nighter left, why not do a little redecorating? Try not to be too loud, though, because people who aren’t crazy might be sleeping.
4:00 a.m. – The final countdown
There’s one hour left until you can officially log on to TopNet and select the classes you want, so it’s time to get serious. Build up your endurance by running up and down the flights of stairs in your dorm. This will get your energy flowing and your heart rate pumping.
And a little exercise will help you work off the calories from the donuts you just consumed.
4:50 a.m. – Wake up your neighbors
There’s a chance that those who live around you are scheduled to register for classes today, too. Of course, you wouldn’t want them to miss their chance. Do as any good neighbor would and make sure they’re up and ready to go in time. Running down the hallway and knocking on all of their doors should do the trick.
4:55 a.m. – Prepare yourself
Grab your laptop and the sticky note of CRNs you prepared earlier. Make sure your computer is connected to WiFi. Log on to TopNet. Get your game face on.
4:57 a.m. – Crack your knuckles
It’s (almost) go time. Take a deep breath, limber up, and crack those knuckles. This is what you’ve been waiting for all night.
5:00 a.m. – Make it or break it
Now, it’s go time. You’re prepared. You’re ready. Type in you CRNs and prepare for the best schedule of your life.
5:02 a.m. – TopNet crashes
What can you do, though?