Megan Gober had her spring semester schedule planned a week before registration began last month. She thought she wouldn’t have trouble registering, but Gober forgot to check the restrictions on her preferred classes and could only enroll in three through the UI-Integrate system.

Gober, sophomore in Communications, said she plans to minor in sociology and wanted to take two sociology courses this semester, but classes didn’t open for nonmajors until last weekend.

“I was able to get into one sociology class, but the other was already full,” Gober said. “I’m hoping to still get in because if I don’t, it might put me back.”

Many students have trouble enrolling in classes they need or want due to major restrictions, full classes, or year restrictions, said Michele Andrews, course scheduler for the College of Communications.

Ashley Peters, sophomore in ACES, said she planned to take an organic chemistry class and lab next semester.

“When I registered, the lab was already full,” Peters said. “I really wanted to take the lab because it would go with the organic chemistry class.”

Peters said she e-mailed an adviser who told her to frequently check UI-Integrate for openings because the department was considering adding a few.

“So I kept checking and checking, and one day I got lucky,” Peters said.

Adva Steiner, an academic adviser in the Division of General Studies, said students should especially check UI-Integrate at the beginning of registration and during the first week of the semester when students frequently add and drop classes.

“If there are seats available, but the student can’t get in and there is no explanation on the class schedule, then I would call the department and see if they can explain what is happening,” Steiner said. “You can also attend the class. If a spot eventually does open, you can snag a seat and not be behind.”

Andrews said that some students cannot register for specific classes because they are reserved for a students with a specific year in school.

“Communications 101 (Intro to the Media) is a popular advanced composition course reserved for students with freshman or sophomore standing,” Andrews said. “We sometimes have upperclassmen who want to take the course but are unable to because they do not meet that requirement.”

Adam Schaal, sophomore in Engineering, wanted to take the class but was restricted.

“I’m a sophomore, but because I have extra credits I’m considered a junior,” Schaal said. “I guess the system is based on the credit you have and not on your actual year, but I wish I could have taken it.”

Schaal said he plans to take a different advanced composition course in the spring.

“If he’s getting a ‘restricted’ error message, it might be because the computer is looking at him as a junior,” Steiner said. “Students in this situation can explain this to the department and find out if there’s a way to be added to the class.”

However, there are alternatives for students who try but can not get into a class they want.

“They should look for related classes,” Steiner said. “Or if they’re trying to enroll in a large introductory course that’s filled, they should look into another class in that major that might not be as mainstream.”

She added that the students who successfully get into classes are those who are the most diligent.

“Just be really patient and keep on trying,” Steiner said.