Registration is a hassle. Everyone returns to school after break, logs onto NOVASIS and jots down 10 different CRNs to ensure they get into at least one class that they will enjoy. But, as your registration time quickly approaches, you begin to wonder why you have the last registration time known to mankind. Don’t get me wrong – registering for classes via the Internet is a great thing. It sure beats the fabled stories of waiting in a long line outside of the West Lounge or the Registrar’s office. But, it seems as though everything goes wrong as you prepare to register for classes.

Is it just me, or does everyone else think there is a conspiracy behind registration? You really never know what to expect when registering for classes. But, you can guarantee that you won’t get into at least two of the classes you were hoping for. Even if you’re a senior, you still can’t get into those classes.

As I sat at my computer with my five CRN numbers and was ready to log into registration at 9 p.m. on the dot, I expected there to be some sort of fanfare. I mean, it was the last registration of my undergraduate career. Maybe a marching band would suddenly appear or maybe Fr. Peter would pop up on NOVASIS and say “Congratulations!” Instead, I got an “Error while loading page” message. What Error? What do you mean error? Turns out the University Web site went down … at 9 p.m. – right when I needed to register for classes. Is there some sort of conspiracy? Does UNIT hate me? Why is it that whenever I want to register, there is some sort of problem.

When I went to register for classes freshman year, there was a fire drill. A fire drill at 8 p.m. Who does that? Really, whose bright idea was it to have a fire drill during registration? I seem to find myself asking the same question three years later.

Then when you finally get into the registration page, you type in your CRN as fast as humanly possible. But, of course, someone just took the last spot. And that someone is probably not even in your major. Then you begin to wonder, will I ever be able to take this class? Trying to register for that awesome class that knocked out two core requirements and enabled you to double major in economics and physics, just turned into the last available spot in a 1000-level course that meets on Fridays at 8:30 a.m. – just your luck.

Maybe if registration was spread out over a longer period of time, there wouldn’t be so many people logging into the system at once. Maybe if classes that are specific to one’s major were restricted to only people in that major first, people wouldn’t throw temper tantrums in the middle of The Exchange because “someone” took their spot. I’m not really sure what the solution is. But, it really is a Buzz Kill when that sweet schedule of Mondays and Fridays off turns into five days of 8:30 a.m. classes.