As NIU students study for midterm exams and mark the end of the first half of the semester, planning for spring semester classes cannot come early enough.

As of Oct. 15, times, dates and location information of spring classes became available to students via an online search engine. Students are able to search for their desired course, find out the necessary information and choose which class section best suits their schedule. Necessary updates and information changes are made nightly to the spring schedule of classes. Students should expect to receive the Spring 2002 schedule book around Oct. 31.

Bruce Oates, assistant director of registration and records, said that students should meet with the individual department advisers within their major regarding class selection.

“The most important thing students can do is talk to their adviser,” Oates said. “Those are the people who really have the expertise to help students determine what classes they should take.”

Starting Nov. 12, students will be able to register for spring classes either by calling the TRACS telephone number at 753-8900 or by registering online through the TRACS Web site on NIU’s WebConnect page at http://www.reg.niu.edu/connect.

“My adviser is there to tell me what classes I should and should not take for my intended major,” said freshman business major Naor Boxer. “After meeting with my adviser, I hope to be able to schedule my classes for next semester and successfully finish my freshman year.”

Oates said that while students can begin searching for information on the Internet about spring classes, they also will receive a copy of their DARS report, the degree audit reporting system, which shows students where they stand academically at NIU.

“They should be getting fairly soon a copy of their DARS report that shows the student what courses they have received credit for,” Oates said. “[Students] should probably take that with them to the advising session.”

Freshman business major Pradeep Jain said that the DARS report helped show him what options were available for the spring semester.

“It [the DARS report] told me what classes I have taken this semester and what choices I have for next semester,” Jain said. “It puts me on the right track to graduating with the best education possible.”

Oates added that it is beneficial for students to receive help from advisers about choosing the right classes. Students can get an idea of what classes they may want to take and then look at their DARS report to determine what requirements they have fulfilled and what requirements they still need to fulfill.

“It’s good to have someone look at your information and have them make sure you’re on the right path,” Oates said. “Advisers are a wonderful resource and I think we have good advisers on this campus, they really care about the students.”

To schedule a meeting with an academic adviser, interested students should call 753-0448 or contact their major department for more information.