Registration Tips & Tricks

Make the registration process quicker and easier by adding your desired classes to your Shopping Cart prior to your registration appointment. This does not reserve a seat for you, but as long as a seat is still open, it will help you register quickly when your appointment starts.

Classes have to be in your shopping cart before you can register for them.

How shopping carts work: You can add courses directly to your shopping cart using "Search for Classes" or the Schedule Planner which generates possible schedules based on the courses you choose. If you use Schedule Planner, it will take you out of WINGS. Once your schedule is locked in Schedule Planner or you've selected a specific class to enroll in, click on the "Send to Shopping Cart" link at the top to take those classes back into WINGS. Once you are back in your WINGS shopping cart, click on "Proceed to Step 2 of 3" to finish registering.

Use your Schedule Planner to help prepare the best schedule for you and then import it to your shopping cart to start the registration process. It generates multiple schedules in a flash for easy review.

• Use the "locks" icons to pin a specific section of a class in your schedule to help narrow down your results. Unlock to generate more options.
• Click on "options" to see more information about the sections being offered. Select the sections you want to try in your schedule.
• Customize your schedule by adding "breaks" to narrow in on your 
• preferred schedule.
• View Possible Schedules
  • The Compare feature allows students to compare up to 4 schedules at one time, OR
  • Hover over the magnifying glass next to each schedule to see a schedule at a glance.
• When your schedule is ready and you've locked in the classes you want at the top,  "Send to Shopping Cart" to start importing classes into your WINGS shopping cart. You will finish registration in WINGS, once your appointment starts.
• During the final registration steps, you may be notified that the class has become closed or you don't meet prerequisites. The Schedule Planner can be used again to find another option.

The Planner refreshes every 5 minutes to keep you updated on which classes are no longer available (closed). Tip: if you know there are only a few seats left, register for that class first before moving on to adding more classes to be sure to get the seat. 

 If you prefer the paper/pencil method, download a printable class schedule worksheet to insert the classes in which you plan to enroll and ensure they will not overlap. Students should then have alternate courses and times selected in case their first choices are not available or cancelled.

Searching for open classes

Schedule Planner:

Search for Classes/Timetable:

Possible errors when registering - what do they mean?

After clicking "finish enrolling" in the registration process, you will see either a green check mark or a red X on the last page. The green check mark means you were successfully enrolled. The red X means you were not enrolled, and a message will appear. Always read the error message so you know why the process failed. Below screenshot is an example error.

Here are some of the most common errors:

• Class is full/closed.
  • A blue box indicates closed classes when you're looking in the schedule of classes. A green circle means open/available seats.
  • You can request an override from the instructor. However, the instructor may say no, based on room size or if the class itself is able to handle additional students.
• You do not meet one or more of the prerequisites.
  • You can request an override from the instructor. However, the instructor may say no, as prerequisites are intended to ensure students have the necessary background learning to succeed in the class.
• Time conflict
  • Remember that shorter classes, like 2nd half semester classes, don't show up in the weekly calendar view if an earlier week is displaying.
  • You will likely need to drop something else if you need this class.
  • Time conflicts require dean's office approval to override, and are only given on a very limited basis. 
• Holds
  • Go back to your WINGS homepage and find the "Holds" section on the right-hand side. Click on Details to find out more about the hold and who to contact.
  • The most common are advising holds and financial holds.
• Going over maximum number of credits
  • Undergrad can register up to 18 credits per semester, and grad students up to 15 credits. 
  • Contact your dean's office if you want to take additional credits. Please remember that additional credits means additional tuition/fees.
• Permission is required
  • Class has started, and it is after the last day to add without permission; OR class requires every student to get permission from the instructor to get in.
  • If it is on or before the last day to add with permission, your instructor can give you an electronic override, if they agree.

If you already have electronic permission to enroll from your instructor, please remember:

• Classes will still appear closed. If you have an override into a closed class, you will be able to register for it even if it looks closed, as long as the override was set up correctly.
• If you have tried to register and still get one of the above errors, the override may not be set up correctly. You can contact your instructor to check or come to the Records office to double-check.

With only a few exceptions, course wait lists are set up to auto-enroll you into the class:

• when a seat opens up,
• if you meet the prerequisites,
• if there are no time conflicts,
• if there are no holds on your account,
• if it doesn't put you over 18 credits,
• and if you are first on the wait list to meet all these requirements.

The auto-enrollment happens once a day in the afternoon between 4:15 and 5pm. So if a seat opens up after 5pm and you are first on the wait list, the system won't enroll you until the next afternoon.

Department-controlled wait lists: these are usually classes with lecture/lab components (i.e. CHM 103) but they can also be classes where the department or instructor wants to OK everyone getting in. Putting yourself on them lets the department know you are interested, but they will still choose from the list who gets in, based on who needs the class the most, and not exclusively on the wait list position. If you aren't sure if the wait list is department-controlled, contact the department to check.

How to add to a wait list:

When you go to register for the class, look for the "wait list if class is full" option and check that box before clicking Next. If you get on the wait list, you'll see a green check mark and be given a wait list position number.

Registering for a 2nd choice class as a placeholder? Use SWAP,  not ADD for your first choice!

1. Register for your 2nd choice class like normal
2. Choose the SWAP option to register for your 1st choice
3. Choose your 2nd choice class in the "Swap This Class" selection
4. Enter your 1st choice class in the "With This Class" selection and click Next

5. Check "Wait list if class if full" on the next screen. Click Next.

6. Click "Finish Swapping." If successful, you will be given a wait list number. If a seat opens up and you are first on the wait list, your 2nd choice class will be dropped and you'll be added to the wait listed class.