First-Year Students - Frequently Asked Questions (about Academics)

A full-time student is enrolled in 12+ units each semester (check out Enrollment Verification for more details); however, if your goal is to graduate in 4 years (for example), it is recommended that students enroll in at least 15 units each semester.

Many classes are 3 units, but it's important to look at the unit load for each class you enroll in to ensure that you are aware of the total number of units.

For students with financial aid, it is critical that a full-time load is taken each semester to meet the requirements of most financial aid awards (check out Undergraduate Eligibility & Enrollment Requirements for more details).

Many students arrive at Orientation ready to build a course schedule that mirrors their high school schedule (i.e. - math, English, science, history, etc. all in the same semester), but it's unrealistic for students to enroll in 6+ courses in their first semester. It's more helpful to think about years rather than semesters. General Education is designed to stretch across the first 2 years of a student's college experience, and it isn't a race to get through all 48 units (as stated in the previous question, a full-time student is enrolled in 12+ units each semester, so successfully completing 12 units of GE courses per semester will complete all of the GE requirements in 2 years). Here is more specific information about General Education Course Requirements, and here are tips for Undergraduate Education Planning. For more specific questions and support, make an appointment with Academic Advising.

While your major course of study provides deep learning and leads to expertise in a particular discipline, General Education (GE) is what creates a common intellectual experience for students in all majors, connecting knowledge across multiple academic fields, fostering appreciation of the natural world and diverse expressions of human imagination, and developing the skills needed to build more just societies. Distinctively, the Chico State GE program offers students not only an integrated learning experience, but also the opportunity to earn an interdisciplinary minor in one of ten subjects. Check out the list of minors!

Students may waitlist for up to 10 units each semester in addition to Enrollment Limits (21 units for undergraduate students). Waitlists are available for most classes. The last day to the waitlist for a class is the Thursday of the first week of classes. Once waitlisting ends, available seats may be enrolled in through the Student Center, or using a Class Add/Update Request (PDF) (PDF) if the class requires department or instructor approval. For additional information, see Waitlisting.

All changes to enrollment are primarily processed in the Student Center via the Portal. See Important Dates & Deadlines for details on the last day to drop a class without permission. If you miss that deadline, a Class Drop Request (pdf) (PDF) is required to drop a class.

Swap: Rather than simply dropping a class, you may want to swap an enrolled class for another class. You will only be dropped from the enrolled section if space is available in the other class. You can swap a class in the Student Center via the Portal.

Before declaring a major, it is highly recommended that you make an appointment with the major faculty advisor and discuss the coursework and career options to make sure that you understand the requirements of the major and get your questions answered. We also recommend that you explore any student organizations offered by that major and successfully complete course(s) in the major to help you solidify your choice.

When you're ready, use the Plan Change Form to declare your new major!

Just like declaring a major, it is highly recommended that you make an appointment with the faculty advisor and discuss the coursework and career options to make sure that you understand the requirements of the minor and get your questions answered.

When you're ready, use the same Plan Change Form to declare your minor!