Uni 101: Selecting the Perfect Electives (Factors to Consider)

Elective courses are compulsory in universities. They’re a major requirement for the completion of any degree. Electives are important because they offer students fresh perspectives on courses unrelated to their major courses, help boost GPA and the chance to study what interests them apart from their main course. For instance, one might be studying Mass Communication with a major interest in Theatre Arts. Now, choosing an elective course in Theatre Arts will offer a temporary chance to learn a little about your choice area of interest. Though, it is important to note that you can only choose electives available, as drawn up by the department. When choosing electives, some important factors should be considered. Factors such as: 

1.  Select your Major, general and carryover courses first:

There’s a limited course load required for each session. It is vital to select your most important courses with higher unit loads first before adding electives. PS: Electives, generally, have lower unit loads (usually 2 unit load). 

2. Choose the subjects that interest you:

From the electives provided by the department, select the ones that most interest you; the ones that arouse your curiosity. 

3. Lecturer in charge:

This factor is very important because, in Nigerian universities, one’s grade depends mostly on the lecturer in charge. If you listen closely to students in higher classes, you’d observe the lecturer they complain most about and know the classes to avoid. 

4. Select the most convenient electives:

The course-load that students have to deal with each semester can be too overwhelming. There’s nothing wrong with choosing an elective that won’t stress you. For your mental health, it is necessary to select easy electives. 

5: The social aspect of the course:

For most students, the number of students taking a particular course is important when considering the elective to choose. Classes are often personal and impersonal to some people. Crowded classes can be intimidating, especially for introverts so they select electives with a smaller number of students. 

Finally, the selection of electives is a decision-making process that requires careful, deliberate consideration. I’d suggest you take out time to attend all the elective classes available. Going to the classes will help you decide which one to do – you might find one you genuinely enjoy and appreciate learning. There’s no hurry; take all the time you need.