This is the first of a recurring feature in which Onward State walks you through some of the less understood aspects of Penn State. The first enigma our guide will tackle is how to schedule classes. Hopefully you can use this information in the coming weeks as you begin to plan and schedule for fall semester.

Believe it or not, class registration for next fall begins soon. Does this idea scare you more than the Sham-Wow! guy or those people who wear Snuggies to high-school football games? Well, have no fear, because Onward State’s new “How-To” girl is here to save the day. We have a step-by-step guide so that you can sail through scheduling. Are you ready?

Step 1: Getting a degree audit

Assuming you have a major somewhat in the back of your mind, go on to eLion and look up your degree audit. This is a handy-dandy little document tells you what requirements you have to meet to get your degree. Right at your fingertips will be a list of what classes you have out of the way and what classes you still need to take. This is the Holy Grail of registration guys. Fortunately for you, though, you won’t have to bring me a shrubbery for me to tell you how to find it. You do have to read the rest of this FAQ though, and that’s after the jump.

How to get a degree audit

1. Log in to e-Lion.

2. In that interesting little scroll-y list to the left of the page, find “Degree Audit.” (HINT: It’s under the letter D.)

3. Now we’ve got some choices. You can either get your degree audit based on the major you currently have, the minor you currently have, or a new major/minor. (But, just like at the Creamery, no mixing is allowed. Pick one and stick to it!) Or, if you’ve already done this part before, click “View Audit Request Status.” Don’t forget to hit “Continue,” or nothing will happen. Brilliant, I know.

4. If you chose a current major or minor or if you chose to view an existing audit’s request status, you’re a little ahead. (If you’ve got an audit there, select it and  hit “View Audit.”)

5. What you’re going to do is….exactly what it tells you to do onscreen. You’re in college now, people, you can do it! Once you’ve selected a college, major, option (if there is one), and program year, click on “Submit Degree Audit Request.” You will get a little green box at the top of the page telling you what audit you just successfully submitted a request for. Now you, too, can click on “View Audit Request Status.” Feeling epic is permissible here.

7. Now, my computer liked me and gave me my English degree audit (HECK YES), all ready to go, with one convenient click. Sometimes, though, your computer may be a bit annoyed at you for watching “Charlie the Unicorn” all those times on YouTube and will make you wait as its revenge. Don’t just reach for the hammer or the textbook or the small farm animal and start bashing away. If you want to wreak maniacal revenge on your computer’s slowness, just hit your refresh button incessantly until the status column salutes you with an enthusiastic “Ready!”

8. Guess what the ‘Ready!’ means… that you are now ready to view your audit. Do it.

Sooooo hooray, you have your degree audit. However, this document is encoded with all sorts of strange symbols and markings…what could they possibly mean? My friends, I am afraid you have completed but one leg of your journey. Your next mission is to unravel the secret trail of letters and words that will lead you to that oasis of all weary schedulers. But have no fear, for I, your trusty leader, your fearless Onward State “How-To” girl, can get you there with minimal Ethernet and/or squirrel injuries.

Next time: How to read your degree audit

Editor’s Note:

The Registration Timetable, so you know when you  can actually register. Hint: Click on the picture.