New, old or continuing students have at some point during their higher education experience struggled with enrollment. Here are a few tips, that if followed correctly and thoroughly, will help you during the process of enrollment.

1. Check the web before it’s too late

Scheduling classes during or after your appointed date could be a hassle.

So why not get a head start?

Enrollment dates are always posted weeks before you are allowed to enroll.

Take that “free time” after your announced appointment to mix and match classes you need.

Add them to your cart and ALWAYS consider checking the “waitlist” box.

This will automatically move you to the waiting list in case the class gets full before you have a chance to enroll.

Technically, you are not enrolled in the class just yet, but you did save time, stress, and possibly an open space by selecting your class schedule before your enrollment date.

Stay tuned to your online Cerritos account so that when your enrollment date/time arrives, precede your schedule via the website to the third and last step; enrollment.

2. Prepare and avoid enrollment despair

The Cerritos College catalog provides information on general education planning (Plan A, Plan B, and Plan C).

These categories are met according to your educational plan and declared major.

It is recommended that you speak to a counselor to choose courses that best fit your educational needs in order to transfer or obtain your degree(s) as soon as possible.

By following through with this step, you are putting yourself in a better position of getting a descent list of classes that will avoid you having to take future classes that you don’t need.

With course preparation in hand, enrollment will be as easy as 1, 2, stress free!

3. Use the power of the group

Students are offered programs with benefits for their academic success and personal specific goals.

These programs have an advantage over assisting the student with an early enrollment date. Each program is different in what they may provide the student with, especially on enrollment dates.

Programs such as EOPS and Cal Works are available for signup and information on campus is available. A list on more programs is also available online.

An early success program (ESP)is offered to new upcoming students to aid them through areas of assessment testing, orientation-counseling, and it provides the student with an early enrollment privilege right off the bat.

However, if you like taking chances on the spot to obtain early enrollment, then consider note-taking for disabled students. This option is most likely to be offered by your instructor during a class period at the beginning of the semester.

4. Avoid the consequences

Pay your fees. Classes will be dropped seven days after enrollment if they are not paid for or waived.

This policy includes any due outstanding charges from your student account.

For every day exceeded after a week of non-payment, you will be dropped from a class; this counts weekends.

If this part of the enrollment process is not met, then all of the previously mentioned tips will go to waste!

If you’re a student assisted with financial aid, then the process of paying your fees is somewhat alleviated.

Class fee waivers are available to low income students even before they submit a FAFSA.

However, the waiver does not cover the student health fee, and that’s just $16 dollars out of your pocket.

5.Last minute resources

By following these tips, you have the best chances of enrolling into a class without the hassle of missing out. But if worst comes to worst and there are no more classes available through the internet server, consider petitioning.

Chances of finding an open seat for a class are 50/50. you won’t know if you don’t try.

Instructor-initiated adds are available for the first two weeks of the semester.

It is up to the instructor to allow students to be added to the class.

Take note, however; waitlist students are considered first in line if another student drops. And on most days, an instructor may add you according to available seats in the class; so don’t give up.