Registering for Classes? You don’t have to do it alone.

Starting university or returning to higher education can be a humbling experience. Being bombarded with new university lingo, while navigating an unfamiliar registration… big oof.

Course registration doesn’t have to be a negative experience—help is available to you for free through the New Student Registration Assistance (NSRA) program!

Navigating registration is our speciality. NSRA advisors are current university students, so we know what it’s like to go through the experience of registering for classes for the first time. As an extension of the Student Success Centre’s Exploratory Advising team, we’re knowledgeable about courses that serve the needs of first year degree and Open Studies students. If you have a question, we can help you find an answer. 

Some of the most frequently asked questions include:

How can I book an appointment with NSRA?

You can book the appointment yourself- which is great practice for connecting with University resources in the future. Instructions for booking an appointment are available on the NRSA website. Setting up your IT account first is a great place to start!

You can also call the Student Success Centre’ Front Desk and they can assist you in booking an NSRA appointment. You can contact the front desk at 403-220-5881 or you can access the virtual front desk.

Do I have to go my appointment in-person?

The choice is completely up to you whether you would like a virtual or in-person appointment. A good thing to note is that all virtual appointments are held through Zoom during Mountain Daylight Time.

What kinds of questions can I ask someone on the NSRA team?

Questions can range from (but aren’t limited to):

• What courses should I take?
• What courses can I take as options?
• How should I build my schedule?
• How do I enroll in courses?
• How can I pick courses if I’m planning on transferring programs?
• When do I move into residence?
• What’s a minor, and how can I add it to my degree?
• Can I defer my admission?

Realistically, you can ask us anything. If we don’t have the answer for you, we can help you figure out where to find it. We primarily cover registration, and course selection, but if you have question about what your experience as a student is going to look like, as current students, we are happy to share our insight. Speaking from a student perspective we can offer a few words of advice about course load, recommendations on what open options we’ve enjoyed, and scheduling advice. Lastly, we can connect you to who you need to speak to on campus to get the information you need. 

When should I book an appointment with NSRA?

The earlier you book an appointment, the better off you are. Courses do fill up over the summer, and connecting with the NSRA team puts you on the right track. Appointment cancellations happen all the time, so if you keep an eye on the appointment calendar in Elevate you might be able to get in sooner than you think. If you find that the appointment timeswe offer don’t work for you, that’s ok! You can send us an email at firstreg@ucalgary.ca. 

Is there an advantage of booking an NSRA appointment?

Yes! Even if you don’t have registration questions specifically, it’s still an opportunity to talk to students who have progressed in their degree program. You can pick their brains about the university experience and ask for tips on how to make your life easier as a student. 

If I can’t get in contact with a faculty advisor, should I try to book an appointment with NSRA?

Honestly speaking, yes! Talking with the NSRA team is a great place to start getting to know campus services.