By Amanda Lagoe, Assistant Registrar 

The Fall 2022 term has just begun, but registration for Spring 2023 opens on October 4, 2022. It’s time to start thinking about your next semester at SUNY Empire. A successful semester begins with a successful registration experience. Check out the Office of the Registrar’s top 10 tips for a smooth Spring 2023 registration. 

1. Make a plan and register early.
   Don’t wait until the last minute to plan your registration for the next term. Set up a meeting with your mentor and start planning for the next semester as soon as possible. You can also utilize the Plan Ahead tool to create potential schedules with your mentor. Check out Plan Ahead in MyESC’s Registration and Course Offerings area. Remember, you must register for your courses; adding a section to Plan Ahead does not mean you are registered.
   
   
2. Have a backup plan.
   Have you ever tried registering for a class only to find it’s at capacity or only a spot on the waitlist is available? It can be a frustrating experience. But if you have another potential course, you will not feel as limited in your options. SUNY Empire offers hundreds of studies to meet your academic needs each term.
   
   
3. Check your holds.
   Always check your student profile in Self-Service Banner for holds that prevent registration. The college may place a hold on your account if you do not meet administrative or academic requirements, such as a past-due balance or academic dismissal. You must resolve all holds that impact registration before registering for a course.
   
   
4. Understand the difference between the term guide and the course catalog.
   The term guide and the course catalog display SUNY Empire’s course offerings, but they serve two different purposes. Use the term guide to see the courses offered in the spring term and use the course catalog to see all the courses the college could offer (including those not scheduled in the spring term).
   
   
5. Check the course number.
   Undergraduate-level course numbers range from 1000 to 4999. Course numbers 1000 to 2999 are introductory-level courses, and 3000 to 4999 are advanced-level courses. Graduate-level courses range from 6000 to 7999. Some undergraduate and graduate courses may share the same title, so it is important to make sure you are registering for the correct course level. You will receive a restriction error if you attempt to register for a course outside your level.
   
   
6. Educational Planning is not in the term guide.
   Most SUNY Empire undergraduate students should not use the term guide to find sections of EDPL-1005, EDPL-1010, EDPL-3005, or EDPL-3010. Each mentor has their own section for each educational planning course. Contact your mentor for the correct Course Registration Number (CRN), and you will register using that number in the Enter CRN tab. Check the Registration Quick Guide for how to register by CRN.
   
   
7. Use the waitlist if it is available.
   Some courses will offer a waitlist option. It’s important to remember that you’re on the waitlist for a specific section, not all sections of the course. Additionally, you cannot be registered and waitlisted for different sections of the same course. When a seat becomes available, the system will send an automated email to the first person on the waitlist. That person has 48 hours to register for the course. If they don’t, their registration window closes, and the next student has the opportunity to register. Remember, you must wait for an email notification to register. The term guide may show a seat is available, but it’s reserved for the student on the waitlist who has been notified.
   
   
8. Be sure to complete your registration.
   Once you add your courses to your registration summary, you must click submit to finalize your registration. If the course status is pending, you are not registered for the course.
   
   
9. Clear your browser’s cache.
   If you experience registration issues that do not involve a specific registration error or restriction, try clearing your browser’s cache. It’s an easy fix that often works.
   
   
10. Keep the Registration Quick Guide handy.
    Save the link to our Registration Quick Guide. This helpful guide covers registering for courses, getting on a waitlist, adjusting your registration (drop/withdrawal), and much more.

Hopefully, these tips will help you have a successful registration experience. If you need additional assistance, contact the Office of the Registrar at RegistrarsOffice@esc.edu.