At every stage in the registration process, it helps to know what you need to do—and when. We’ve made it clear by breaking down the steps you should take before the semester (term) starts and once it begins.
Registering for Classes
Before the semester starts, take these steps to make sure you’re ready:
Before you register, make sure you’re prepared. Follow these steps:
- Map out your schedule with iGPS and make sure you’re prepared one to two weeks before your upcoming enrollment date.
- Read about prerequisites and class components so you know what you’ll be able to register for.
- Request any required permissions for classes you want to take.
- Look at the final exam schedule to make sure you won’t have any conflicts.
- Check for holds on your registration and obtain a release for each hold (you won’t be able to register until you’ve done this step).
- Review and update your addresses.
New students will meet with their advisor at New Student Orientation. All other students can schedule an appointment to meet with their advisor as needed. Follow the advising procedure established by your school or department.
If you are a currently enrolled student at IU Bloomington, and you have planned your schedule in iGPS, you should register for classes during your registration appointment. All undergraduate students new to IU Bloomington will register during open registration, usually during New Student Orientation.
You can use the Enrollment Shopping Cart to build and save your schedule before your registration appointment. If you’re creating your schedule at or after your appointment time, you can use the Register & Drop/Add option.
Enrollment Shopping Cart
- In the Student Center, choose “Enrollment Shopping Cart.”
- Choose the term you’re registering for and select “Continue.”
- Review information about using the planner and the shopping cart.
- Review and/or update your address information, then choose “Next.”
- Review the optional services, select any that apply, then choose “Next.”
- Enter a specific class number, or use Class Search or My Planner to select a course.
- Add the class to your shopping cart. If the class is closed and you wish to join the waitlist, check the “Waitlist” box.
- Continue adding classes to your shopping cart.
Note that you’re not enrolled in a class just because it’s in your shopping cart. If you’re eligible to register, you’ll be directed to Register & Drop/Add to finish your enrollment.
Register and Drop/Add
- In the Student Center, choose “Register & Drop/Add.”
- Choose the term you’re registering for and select “Continue.”
- Review information about using the planner and the shopping cart.
- Review and/or update your address information, then choose “Next.”
- Review the optional services, select any that apply, then choose “Next.”
- Enter a specific class number, or use Class Search or My Planner to select a course.
- Add the class to your shopping cart. If the class is closed and you wish to join the waitlist, check the “Waitlist” box.
- Choose “Enroll Now.”
- Choose “Finish Enrolling” to process your class request. If you’ve changed your mind about adding the class, choose “Cancel” instead.
- View the results of your enrollment. You may then view your class schedule or choose to add another class.
* When you’ve finished registering for classes, make sure to log out and close your browser. This will prevent others from seeing your private class registration, grade, and financial information.
Once the semester begins, pay attention to these registration periods to know when and how you can make changes to your schedule:
You can waitlist classes through the first Thursday of the semester.
You can drop or add classes during the first week of the semester.
You can late drop or add classes during the second week of the semester.
Graduate students can exchange one class for another through the second week of full-term classes with no additional tuition.
Check the Official Calendar to find the dates for the current semester's registration periods.
Information for doctoral students
If you’ve completed all requirements for your doctorate except your dissertation and final exam, you must maintain full-time status by registering for at least one hour of graduate credit for each semester or summer session in which you are enrolled. Contact your school or division for details.
Big Ten Academic Alliance
Starting Fall 2020, an enrolled undergraduate student at a participating Big Ten Academic Alliance University may enroll in one online course at another participating university each semester as part of that student’s academic experience at no additional cost.