10 Tips to Choosing College Classes

No more class regrets—just vibes and A's (hopefully).

Photo credit: Squarespace

If you’re a public relations major, choosing classes can be difficult and confusing, especially as a freshman. This can often feel as uncomfortable as networking with professionals and not quite connecting. You open the course catalog and see hundreds of options but there are many aspects that go into choosing a class.

Picking a class that works with your schedule, finding a professor that’s both communicative  and engaging, and choosing public relations classes that won't make school feel like a burden—all of that matters. The college experience is something you only go through once which is why choosing the right classes and professors is a big deal.

Additionally, it’s about growing as a person and learning who you are, independently. Here’s a guide to picking the best classes, choosing the right professors, and making the most out of your college experience as a public relations major. 

1. Know Your Requirements and Make a Plan

Your first and most important step is knowing your course requirements. After completing your general education classes it’s important to understand your goals and path for the next few years. After completing the General Education classes, check your major’s curriculum guide to know what classes you need specifically and how many units are required.

Every major will have lower and upper division courses as well as a capstone requirement that will have to be met. Upper division courses are 300 and 400 levels that are required to take once you have completed 60 units. When choosing upper division courses it’s important to choose those courses that align with your aspiring career.

2. Connect With Your Academic Advisor

Although some students’ first move is to go to their academic advisor, others might overlook this resource. Your advisor is there to guide you towards graduation at your pace. They are there to be helpful with working out a schedule that works for you with your best interest at heart.

Don’t wait until you're far into your career and don't know if you took the right courses.They definitely are not there to be a last resort but a first option. If you need  help with important decisions, like what majors or minors to choose, requirements for graduation, or just dealing with course issues, they are definitely your best bet.

3. Use Degree Planner in Your Student Center

The Degree Planner, available  through the Single Sign-On Portal in the MyCSULB Student Center, is an often overlooked resource that can benefit students of all grades. It can help freshmen who have no idea what courses to take, seniors planning their final courses, and help everyone visually plan their four years.

The planner breaks your requirements down into semesters, and shows the units that will be completed for each. This is mainly used before your registration date. Courses can be added onto a shopping cart which will be ready for when enrollment is open so that they don’t need to be found at the last minute.

4. Use Rate My Professor

Using Rate My Professor, is a helpful resource to get an idea of a professor's grading method, their attendance policy and how they give feedback. This resource is used for students to rate their overall experience with the professor during the semester as well as tips for whoever is thinking about taking their class.

You are able to find out whether a class is discussion-based, lecture-based, or focused on exams and assignments. This gives you insight as to whether the class will be challenging or manageable, based on your needs. Remember that every professor has their own style of teaching and be sure to use this as an additional tool into creating an optimal experience for the semester.

5. Ask Friends for Course and Professor Recommendations

Use the resources around you who know you best. Ask your peers from class, or your friends who may be taking the same major, what courses or professors they would recommend based on their experiences and your needs.  Friends know your interests, your goals and sometimes even what’s worked and hasn’t worked for you in the past. Their feedback may help you make better choices and avoid classes or professors that might not be a good fit for you. 

Some questions you can ask:

• Did you need to purchase the textbook?

• If and how they grade attendance?

• Is the final cumulative?

• How difficult were the exams or quizzes? How many were there?

6. Be Mindful of Class Time and Location

Choosing class times and locations can be vital for your schedule to work smoothly. Understanding when you’re more energized and engaged will help you stay focused during lectures and coursework. Parking on campus can also play a role in making it to class on time.

Take into consideration how long it would take you to find parking, your commute, and walk to class. Allow for time to get to class at a peaceful pace. Make time for breaks in between class and don’t schedule back to back courses to allow for time to reset. If possible, have a mix of shorter and longer days to stay consistent.

7. Don’t Burn Out — Pair Tougher Classes with Lighter Ones

Having a heavy-loaded semester is something you definitely want to avoid. College life is all about balancing school, work, family, and personal responsibilities. Mixing easier and more challenging courses helps you protect your mental peace, and helps you stay on top of assignments as well as other responsibilities.

As much as school is a priority and important, it’s also important to give yourself breathing room. If you were to take a difficult class such as statistics or chemistry with lecture and lab, try pairing it with an elective to balance your schedule. School work may end up burning you out at some point, but it also teaches you how to adapt, handle fast-paced environments,  and stay organized.

Take classes that are fun, expand your network, make new friends, and apply to those internships because ultimately this is what it’s all about.

8. Drop a Class that Doesn’t Work For You

Don’t be afraid to withdraw from a class if it isn’t the right fit. During the first two weeks of the semester you have the opportunity to drop one or more classes through the MyCSULB Student Center. The first couple of weeks will help you see if you can handle the class and its assignments.

If a course is causing problems, like affecting your mental health, consider dropping it and relieving your workload. If you drop it within the permitted time, the course won’t appear on your transcript and won't affect you. However, if you’re receiving financial aid, confirm that it won’t affect your aid and funding.

9. Be Confident and Explore Other Interests

Throughout your academic journey, you might find yourself interested in other passions. This is the perfect time to explore new interests, as you are growing and becoming independent. Doubting whether to pursue an alternative major or minor will only result in regret.

Build your confidence and take a leap into something that is out of your comfort zone. Taking electives or courses outside your required courses can awaken a new path or goal that was not in your plan.

10. Make College the Best Experience!

While earning your degree is important, your main goal is to make college the best four years of your early adulthood. Join clubs, explore electives, network with professionals in your field, study abroad, and work on expanding skills to use them in environments outside of school.

Remember, everyone completes college at their own pace, and there is never a rush to feel like you have to graduate at a certain time. Make good decisions, make mistakes, learn from them and enjoy the ride!

Photo credit: California State University, Long Beach

Ruby Hernandez

Public Relations Major, Fall 2025

Ruby Hernandez is the Fundraising and Events Ambassador for PRSSA LB.