Culinary Arts major Jessica Austin believes students should learn to prioritize in order to have a chance at gaining entry into courses they need in order to complete their general ed.

Enrollment at Cerritos College wasn’t always such a hassle for students, that is, until the number of students admitted to the school slowly rose during the last few semesters.

Austin explains that part of the reason why students don’t get into classes they need is because they do not do what they need to within the time frame given.

“People who get into the classes they need are the ones who prioritize,” she said, “make sure you know when your deadlines are to be met and do everything you need to ahead of time.”

According to CollegeStats.org, Cerritos College has a 68 percent retention rate versus a 19 percent graduation rate.

This may or may not be caused by students not getting the classes they need, therefore pushing their completion date further and further, but it is certain that students should be aware of the resources they have at their finger tips so that this does not become their case.

“There are counselors available at all times in the Admissions office, and they are there to help students out with this kind of thing,”physics major Melody Swanson said.

“My first semester here at Cerritos, I joined the First Year Experience program and that worked out well for me, so I encourage first time students to try it too,” she added.

According to the University of Washington website, a good way for students to avoid being cast out of classes they need is to map out their options and always have a back up plan.

“If you are tenacious and determined, you may yet be able to get into the courses you want. How much trouble you’re willing to go through to try to get into a course depends on your own stamina and how much you need the course.”

Physical therapy assistance major Jessica Ranca supports the statement made in the article and also added that having back up classes and knowing what classes you need ahead of time could save students from being left out of important courses.

“If you don’t get (the classes you initially wanted) petition, petition, petition. Make sure to e-mail professors and just show up the first day of class to try and add, because if you show them persistence it may just help you actually get into that class,” she said.

Some other tips provided by the University of Washington are:

-Keep checking the online schedule.

-Contact department advisers.

-Go to the class on the first day of the semester.

In addition, students could also keep in mind to try and enroll in summer courses if they can. Although there is not much variety, it’s an option in case students are left wondering what to do after being left out of a core class.

For more information, students may contact the Admissions office at 562-860-2452 ext. 2211.