Planning a University Timetable: Six Things to Check Before Registering
Key points
- Enter required and fixed-time classes first
- Look at gaps and travel time
- Reserve time for jobs and assignments first
Unlike high school, you build your own timetable at university. Rules differ between universities, so here is a general way of thinking.
Six points
- Enter required classes first. These are the classes set by your faculty or department.
- Enter fixed-time classes. Labs, practicals and languages often have set groups or days.
- Fill the remaining slots with electives. Choose subjects you are interested in or that relate to a qualification you want.
- Look at gaps and travel time. On a big campus or between buildings, ten minutes may not be enough.
- Do not overload early-morning or evening classes. Think about whether you can keep it up.
- Check the credit limit and your plan to graduate. Use your student handbook or your university's guide.
Tips for trying things out
- First make a draft with every candidate class.
- Color coding makes it easier to see imbalance.
- If classes overlap, choose one of them.
You can remake it with Create a Timetable / Weekly Schedule as often as you like. Make the draft and the final version under different titles to compare them.
Before registering
Registration rules and dates differ by university. Always check your own university's guide.
Use "Create a Timetable / Weekly Schedule" (free)
Tools that go well with this
- Photos to PDF: Combine several photos into one PDF in the order you choose. You can rotate, reorder and set a size limit.
- Convert Image Format (JPG, PNG, WebP): Convert images to JPG, PNG or WebP, several at once.
- Compress PDF: Shrink a PDF to fit under a size you choose, for upload limits.
More guides for this tool
- How to Make a Timetable as PDF or Image (Free, Works on a Phone)
- How to Make a Weekly Schedule: See Work, Study and Rest at a Glance
- How to Print a Timetable or Use It as a Phone Wallpaper
- Making a Readable Timetable: Colors, Text Length and Space
- Using Free Periods: Build a Study Plan from Your Timetable
- Sharing a Timetable with Friends and Updating It After Changes