Navigating core requirements

USD students and faculty share advice on course selection

HALEY JACOB / FEATURE EDITOR / THE USD VISTA

Crafting the perfect schedule is something many college students aim to achieve, and entering the year with open-mindedness to grow and adapt to changes in interests and career goals is usually the most effective method of finding success.

When starting at the University of San Diego, first-year students are assigned an automated schedule crafted with courses that fit their anticipated major, their selected Living Learning Community (LLC) and a few general education courses (core classes) to introduce the liberal arts education. This initial schedule is a helpful tool to jump-start each student’s journey within college academics, but there are many tips and tricks to building a schedule for each semester. 

When analyzing the automated schedule, many first-years will notice new and unfamiliar course subjects. USD aims to provide each student with a well-rounded, liberal arts education that prepares them for a successful future; therefore, students must take courses in philosophy, theology, science, history and so on. 

Cultivate LLC Advisor and Communication Studies professor Dr. Leeva Chung described the benefits of a liberal arts education as making students “lifelong learners.” Dr. Chung believes the diversity in USD’s course options and curriculum competencies required for graduation provide students with a broader  worldview and a stronger inclination to continue learning beyond college. 

“I love the culture of lifelong learners,” Dr. Chung said. “This is what college sets you up to become. It’s not just four years of college and then you’re done. It’s, you know, sparking some interest, planting some seeds—a little bit of anthro, a little bit of econ, a little bit of supply chain management, that you can continue on after college, and that’s what liberal arts is. Not to preach to the choir or preach to liberal arts, but that’s what I think is really important: you should be a lifelong learner, not a four-year institute of college learner, and then you’re done.”

Taking these courses can introduce students to new avenues they didn’t think to explore, as well as solidify a disliking for certain areas of study that will further affirm a student’s preference for other topics. Regardless, the experience of taking a more varied schedule proves beneficial.

Sophomore Brooklyn Harrel explained her surprising experience with a lab course in her first semester at USD. 

“During my first semester, I was placed into ‘Peoples, Plagues and Microbes.’ We were in the classroom two days and then in the lab one day, and it was such an interesting course,” Harrel said. “Even if you’re not sure about a course, just kind of go all in and try your best to really understand what’s going on, or to really just be present in the class, because I feel like I learned so much in classes that I wasn’t expecting much out of. I’m not a big science person, so I was kind of going into it like, ‘okay, I have to take this lab like whatever,’ and then it ended up being  my  favorite class.”

However, if first-years are dissatisfied with a course in their schedule, it’s important to know that there are options to switch into a different course. By talking with one’s Academic Advisor, students can find a class that better fits their interests.

Choosing courses may seem tricky, and once students take that responsibility into their own hands, there are many factors to consider. While there is no right or wrong way to select core requirement courses, students should feel empowered by the opportunity for exploration and novelty afforded by the liberal arts curriculum. Putting limits and expectations on the course selection process can close off exciting opportunities. 

Dr. Chung broke down the importance of trying different subjects before deciding on a major and minor.

“It’s sketch to me if someone comes in and says, ‘this is my major,’” Dr. Chung said. “Totally sketch. Because my thing is, always come in with an open slate, like you’re dating. You’re not married, so just date. Date biology, you know. Date communications, date economics, like date them. You’re not married. You’re in an arranged marriage without even looking around.”

Resources like Degree Works and the USD Course Catalog are useful tools for finding classes that pique students’ interests. Degree Works can be found in each student’s MySanDiego portal. There, students can track their course completion progress while also searching for courses to fill their remaining requirements. Next to each unfulfilled core requirement is a pop-up list of courses available for the current semester. Students can scroll through the list of options and read a brief description of each course. 

Harrel found her religious studies course using Degree Works.

“The  religion class I ended up choosing was ‘Exploring Religious Meaning,’” Harrel said. “It was very interesting because we just learned so much about different religions, and my favorite unit was on Buddhism. It was cool because I picked that class based on what I had read in Degree Works while looking through different religion classes.”

Dr. Chung requires her LLC students to read through the USD Course Catalog, a resource that lists all courses available at USD.

“The reason why it’s important is, you know, a lot of students feel pressured to come in and say, ‘oh, well, I’m a behavioral neuroscience, or I’m pre-med,’ etc., without even looking at our catalog, and without even thinking about, ‘well, maybe I want to be in sociology, or I would love English,’ or ‘creative writing is an opportunity or Africana,’” Dr. Chung said. “Without even thinking about your area, your passion, etc., you’re relying on what mom or dad did or what they want from you or what your friends are doing.”

Other criteria students often consider before selecting a course include meeting times, difficulty level and factors besides course content. However, students may benefit by selecting courses that genuinely spark their interest in learning. 

Taking on challenges and attempting classes that present new and unfamiliar concepts will provide students with more information and growth than choosing the familiar,  safer options that ensure a high grade or low coursework. 

Sophomore Trisha Kanjilal shared her perspective on settling for “easier” courses.

“A lot of times, people take the easier classes,” Kanjilal said. “My advice is to sign up for classes that you don’t necessarily think will be super easy for you. Challenge yourself a little bit because you might be surprised.”

Dr. Chung agreed that taking risks is often worthwhile in the end. 

“Sometimes you find the most unexpected gems in places you don’t expect,” Dr. Chung said. “So be open to really taking a class that’s not your jam, like there has to be a little bit of risk and uncertainty there. Because you could do the ordinary, and that’s fine. But why?”

While many first-year students will begin this year with an idea of their career path(s) and goals, there is no need to place restrictions on the course selection process due to preconceived beliefs that certain majors or minors may not be the best fit. Take risks, be open to challenges and make these undergraduate years as experimental as possible.