When you start your college journey as a freshmen, there are a variety of classes that you’re required to take. Whether or not you’ve already declared a major, there are still a certain amount of necessary courses that will fill your schedule. 

As you progress through your college career, you’ll find that you get to have a little more say in what kinds of classes you choose to put in your semester schedule. While you’ll always need to make sure you’re taking the courses in your major field of study, this still leaves room for additional, easier classes. But how can you create a schedule that works for you, and allows you time to take the classes you need to, along with some easier (and interesting) ones? Well, we’re here to guide you! Keep reading because in this article we’re going to discuss:

• How to plan your class schedule
• How to include easy classes into your semester
• Items to help make preparing for class seamless 

How to Plan Your Class Schedule

Tips for ensuring you’re getting the most out of your schedule

College is probably the first time you as a student actually get some say as to when you’d like to schedule your classes! Not only is it your first time away from home, it’s the first time you get to play a part in making some pretty big decisions for yourself—and that includes setting yourself up for success with your class schedule. No matter what year you are in college, make sure you’re aware when the time comes to schedule class for the next semester, because you don’t want to wait too long and find out the classes you want to take are full!

As you progress through your current semester, it’s beneficial to also be aware of what’s coming up next. As you start to sink into a routine, you’ll begin to find out what does (and doesn’t) work for you when it comes to how you learn, study, and relax between classes. If possible, try and schedule some classes in the morning, have a break in between, and then schedule any additional classes in the afternoon. Having a break in the middle of the day gives you time to catch up on any studying, or it can give you some much-needed down time to relax or even take a nap. When you line up classes this way, you might even be able to get one day per week where you have no classes scheduled—which is a great opportunity to study or get any errands done.

Alternatively, you could also arrange your schedule so that your classes are all done by a certain time of day, giving you the remainder of the day free. If most of your classes are in the morning, then that gives you the afternoon and evening free. The same is true if you prefer afternoon classes, you’ll have your mornings free to get studying done or just relax. Once you figure out what kind of schedule works best for you, you can schedule the classes you need to take accordingly. Most classes, whether for your major or electives, are offered a few times per week, allowing you to choose what works best for you. 

Include Some Easy Classes in Your College Schedule

Enjoy adding some of these easier classes to your college schedule

So now that you’re ready to schedule your classes for the next semester, first get all your requirements or classes in your major squared away. Sometimes required classes are not offered each semester, so make sure you’re aware of what exactly you need to take to stay on track, and schedule those classes accordingly. Once those are out of the way, it’s time to focus on filling out the rest of your schedule! So, why should you consider taking some easier courses alongside your more difficult ones?

• You can help boost your GPA
• You can step out of your comfort zone and learn something new
• Easier classes can be a lot of fun! 
  

We’re not saying you should pad your schedule with all the easiest courses, because you’ll find out that what might appear easy, isn’t so simple at all! You want to expose yourself to all kinds of ideas and learn about new things while in college, which is why including some easy classes is essential if you’re looking to take full advantage of the college experience. That being said, you certainly have a lot of options when it comes to taking some easier courses in college. Here are our recommendations, but remember, take something you’re interested in—you’ll find that doing the work and studying for a class you enjoy hardly feels like work at all.

Music appreciation

No matter what kind of music you’re into, taking a class in music appreciation can open your eyes to new music, and perhaps even new ways of looking at your favorites! Some college programs might even require a fine arts requirement, and if they do, this class is sure to fit the bill. It’s general enough that you’ll cover a wide swath of musical time periods and styles, so there’s sure to be something for everyone. Music appreciation isn’t just a history class though, most professors will also teach how specific sounds and rhythms developed over time and in different cultures, some of which still influence more modern sounds.

This class is fun because you’ll also get to listen and learn to identify specific composers, sometimes hearing works you never knew before. If this basic class sparks an interest, you may consider trying your hand at a musical instrument, or pick one up again that you used to play!

Film studies

Movies, like music, are very subjective, and everyone has their own tastes. While you’re more than welcome to like what you like, why not go outside of your comfort zone and try out a course in film studies? Courses like these are always interesting, as they can take you behind the scenes where you may learn how movies get made, what makes a great shot, and how to ensure you’re getting the most out of your location. 

Film studies can also focus on a particular genre of film, such as film noir, Spanish cinema, or even the works of a certain director. Delving deeper into films you might not have heard of, or even watched, can open your eyes to how different film directors approached their art, and reflected the society they lived in. Oh, and you get to watch movies during class, which is always fun!

Psychology 101

If you’ve ever wanted to understand a little more about what’s going on inside our brains, or why humans may sometimes act the way that they do, then an intro to psychology course could be just the easy course you need. When you take a psych course at the beginner’s level, you’ll go over the broader strokes of this discipline and touch on some of the major themes and concepts that are important to know. Not to worry if you’ve never had a psych course before, general courses don’t go too in depth, so you would get caught up in terminology or have to study areas that might require a little more expertise. 

A basic level psych course can be useful even after you finish it, as it will give you a little more insight into human behavior, and may even help you learn to interact with different people a little more easily. 

Writing class

This is quite a broad topic, and can involve anything from creative writing, to fictional stories, to screenwriting—it’s all up to what interests you the most! If you’ve always wanted to try your hand at crafting a creative essay, poetry, or even take a try at playwriting, a basic writing course could be the way to go. On the other hand, many schools also offer writing classes that focus on nonfiction, journalism, and writing for the sciences, all of which are sure to teach you handy lessons that you can easily transfer to the writing required for your other courses. Strong writing skills are also much in-demand in the workforce, and being able to construct a cohesive work in written form can transfer over to many different types of jobs in different disciplines. 

Public speaking

It tends to be the biggest fear among many people (even more so than fear of spiders!), and that’s speaking in front of an audience. While in school, you’re definitely going to be required to present in front of your class, whether as a group project or a solo presentation. Having the skills to speak clearly and effectively in front of a group is something you have to learn how to do, so why not sign up for a public speaking class? Not only will you learn some tips and tricks to help you overcome stage fright, but you’ll also realize that you’re not alone when it comes to having a fear of public speaking. Having a safe place to learn (and practice) how to speak to others is a good way to make sure this essential skill is a part of your post-graduation skillset. 

While there are many more easier classes you can add to your schedule, these are our favorites, and can teach you skills that would make a great addition to your resume, and may even impress future employers.

Items to Make Preparing for Your Classes Seamless 

Come prepared to your classes with these handy items

Whether you need it to organize your art supplies, or to keep track of your writing materials for your easy college classes, this 3-Tier Rolling Cart is a must-have for a dorm room. It’s easy to store in a corner, and the wheels give it all the mobility you need. Roll it close to your desk while you’re studying, then pack it against a wall when you need more space. 

Pro tip: You could also use this storage cart for your textbooks in order to keep them organized! 

We all know how quickly desks can gather too much stuff, completely ruining your organization system! Avoid losing papers and important things like phone chargers by adding a little extra space to your desk. There’s room for pencil holders, staplers, and even a tape dispenser, leaving plenty of desk space for your computer, textbooks, and notebooks. 

No matter what easy class you choose to add to your college schedule next semester, make sure to pick one that sparks your interest. Not only will you enjoy it more, but you may even find yourself looking forward to it!