This article was updated on October 17, 2025. 

The spring semester is swiftly approaching, and it’s time to start choosing your next batch of classes! Priority registration begins on Monday, Oct. 27, and the sign-up period continues through the first two weeks of the spring semester, also called the add/drop period. Be prepared! We have you covered with the best tips to make your schedule-building experience run smoothly.  

Registration is a self-serve process you can complete in TUportal. You’ll receive an email containing a specific time to log on and begin based on factors like your year, how many credits you’ve earned and other criteria. This can be early—like, really early in the morning.  
You certainly don’t want to be caught without a plan at 7 a.m. on the day your scheduled self-registration window opens—so read on for tips to ditch the stress and ensure you get through the process smoothly! Then you can close your computer, roll over and fall back asleep when you’re done. 

Plan ahead  

Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor as soon as you can to talk to them about your class schedule (psst—this is an easy way to check off your Fly in 4 checkpoint).  Before your appointment, plan your potential class schedule on TUportal. The schedule tool in the portal allows you to plan up to five alternative class schedules to discuss with them. Having backup plans can be helpful in case some of your classes get filled up before you register, and they’ll make the process easier overall. Then, when the big day comes, all you have to do is enter the five-digit numbers for your desired courses into the form, hit “register” and presto! You’ll only have to press that one button to sign up.  

Think about your requirements  

Take a look at your major’s bulletin to see which courses it recommends you enroll in each semester. Pro tip: Every department has these recommendations. It’s an easy way to make sure you’re on the right track, and it helps your meeting with your advisor to run smoother. If you're undecided, GenEd and elective courses are a good way to test the waters in a specific subject.  

Know yourself  

Are you a night owl or a morning person? Do you want to stack your schedule on specific days in order to make room for an internship? Do you want to spread out your classes? These are all good questions to ask yourself before thinking about registration.   

Additionally, be intentional when selecting your GenEd and elective choices—choose something you’re interested in. Otherwise, you might start regretting that one boring class halfway through the semester. Instead, try to find subjects that motivate and energize you to learn. This is your chance to really dig into a new interest or go down an educational rabbit hole—think about what fascinates you.  

Look into the details  

Are you looking at an online course? In-person? Hybrid? Are there additional fees? Before you register, become familiar with each course’s instructional setting and the fees that may come with it. You can identify these details in the left-hand menu during registration under the items “class details” and “fees” on TUportal.  

Count your credits, save your faves  

Priority registration goes to students with the most credits, so if it’s your first year, you’re probably closer toward the end of the line. This means a lot of students are signing up before you’re eligible, possibly filling up the courses you’ve chosen. Also note that if you’re an Honors student, you receive priority registration, so you’ll be among the first students to register.  

Of course, it’s possible that you won’t get into that super popular class on your first try. But don’t give up! Save those popular, favorite classes for a future semester when you’re more likely to gain admission.  

Listen. We get it. Dissecting Hollywood’s depictions of catastrophic events sounds like an appealing science course. That being said, Disasters: Geology versus Hollywood fills up quickly, along with other popular favorites. But if you want to take the chance, keep tabs on those courses throughout the registration period, and that way you’ll know in advance if it reaches capacity. You can also join the waitlist to be notified in case spots open up. 

Don’t worry 

Registration can be confusing and overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Following these tips can help make the process smoother. Even if something seems to go wrong, stay calm and don’t hesitate to reach out to an advisor. They are there to support you. And remember: When your alarm goes off at 7 a.m., take a deep breath—you got this!