By: Lady Blueser
Edited By: Kripa Sridhar
My Dearest SAISers,
By the time you read this, you may have gobbled numerous plates of turkey, or whatever protein of your choice. And while I don’t mean to impose on your post-break euphoria, I fear I must. The woes of the first-years have been hard to ignore and it all started on the 20th of November.
A normal day to most was deemed a “Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.” Or, according to SAIS’ newest cohort: course registration.
The halls echoed sighs of frustration, complaints, and quiet whispers of being a part-time student for Spring 2025. Before the first-years had a chance to register, the majority of their classes were taken by the second-years who had already registered days before. Waitlists were 20 people and counting, for regional, functional, and core classes.
This left many to voice out their concerns, anonymously to none other than I, Lady Blueser. A vault of confidentiality to some, and a tea-sipping column writer to others. Although you did not ask for the inside scoop, I will very much provide it.
Lady Blueser’s Quaint Compilation of Anonymous Student Complaints:
- “I don’t know whether to laugh or vigorously email. Either way, I’m basically a part-time student for the Spring”
- “Sure the second-years are guaranteed first dibs on regional classes, probably functional too, but if they also fill up our core classes, what space is there for us? What do we take?”
- “At this point, the waitlist is so long, I’ll take anything. I’ll even take a professional skills course on how to breathe air. Yeah, I’m that desperate”
- “I even got waitlisted for my Essentials of Economics class. ESSENTIALS?! The supply is just not meeting the demand.”
Given the swarm of students flocking from International Economics to Essentials to humble themselves, it seems to be causing quite a stir for first-years hoping to continue their journey in Essentials and fulfill that requirement.
Now, of course, I wouldn’t be your Lady Blueser if I didn’t also get the thoughts of other involved parties. According to one anonymous professor: “Just look at the plaque of room occupancy in the classrooms. That is the supply that should meet the demand.”
To other professors, they could care less, they’re paid to teach regardless.
The second-years’ perspectives, however, can be summarized into one statement: Don’t worry, we’ve been through it, so you have to too.
Now, where there is a piggy bank, I ought to include my two cents. In my eyes, this “light at the end of the tunnel” response casually given by the second-years seems unrealistic and unhelpful. Some have only a few courses or none at all. A simple pat on the back won’t do for reassurance. What SAIS first-years need is action. Real steps for what to do next.
If you ask me, which you didn’t, I suggest, rather than adhering to the administration’s advice to be patient as more classes will be added and more seats will be available over the coming weeks, take action. Follow in the footsteps of your comrades and petition to Professors that may be willing to open an additional section, or teach another course of interest. Come up with multiple backup plans, explore possible electives, and email professors, or academic advising. Desperate times truly call for desperate measures.
While this is not ideal, this is life.
So, readers, as we await the next semester remember that even the most formidable waitlists cannot stay long forever.
I bid you farewell… for now.
Yours in gossip,
Lady Blueser