COMPLETE GUIDE

How to Plan Your College Courses

A step-by-step guide to building a 4-year degree plan that ensures on-time graduation and maximizes your academic experience.

Why Course Planning Matters

Students who plan their courses strategically are 40% more likely to graduate on time. Poor planning leads to delayed graduation, wasted tuition, and missed career opportunities.

1

Understand Your Degree Requirements

Before planning any courses, you need to fully understand what your degree requires. This includes:

  • General Education (Gen Ed) - Core courses required for all students
  • Major Requirements - Courses specific to your chosen major
  • Electives - Flexible courses to explore interests
  • Total Credit Hours - Usually 120-130 credits for a bachelor's degree
2

Map Out Prerequisites

Prerequisites are the #1 reason students fall behind. A prerequisite is a course you must complete before taking another course. For example:

Calculus I → Calculus II → Calculus III → Differential Equations

If you miss Calculus I in your first semester, the entire chain gets pushed back, potentially delaying graduation by a full year.

3

Balance Your Course Load

Don't stack all your hard courses in one semester. A balanced approach prevents burnout and maintains your GPA:

Avoid This

  • • Organic Chemistry
  • • Physics II
  • • Calculus III
  • • Biochemistry

Do This Instead

  • • Organic Chemistry
  • • Psychology 101
  • • English Literature
  • • Art Elective
4

Plan Electives Strategically

Electives aren't just "filler" courses. Use them strategically to:

  • Complete a minor that complements your major
  • Build skills for your target career
  • Fulfill grad school prerequisites (med school, law school, etc.)
  • Balance difficult semesters with GPA boosters
5

Use Course Compass for AI-Powered Planning

Instead of manually tracking all requirements, prerequisites, and schedules, use Course Compass to automatically:

  • Generate complete 4-year plans based on your major
  • Check prerequisites and co-requisites automatically
  • Access 1M+ courses from 6,600+ universities
  • Get AI recommendations for electives based on your goals
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6

Review and Adjust Each Semester

Your plan isn't set in stone. Review it every semester and adjust based on:

  • Course availability changes
  • Interest in a new minor or concentration
  • Career goal changes
  • Transfer credits or AP credits received

Ready to Plan Your Perfect Degree?

Join thousands of students using Course Compass to graduate on time with less stress. Our AI handles the complexity so you can focus on learning.

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