If you’ve logged into Penn State’s new online student system LionPATH since its inception on Monday, then you’ve had the chance to experience what seems to be Penn State’s latest non-user friendly interface.

Despite LionPATH’s visually unappealing nature, the Office of the Registrar insists that the system’s new features will streamline the course registration process and ultimately make students’ lives easier.

One new feature that has students talking is the wait list that will replace eLion’s watch list function. Similarly, when a class that you are trying to schedule is full, you enroll in the wait list. Unlike watch list, however, if a seat becomes available, you will be automatically enrolled in the course under the new feature.

For many students, this feature is a relief, eliminating the stress of waiting on a text message alerting you to log on to your computer and register for the course before other students on the watch list. Acting as a standard virtual line, when a seat in the course becomes available, the first student on the wait list will be added automatically, and others on the list will move up a spot in the line.

The other new feature expected make a big difference for students is the implementation of a LionPATH mobile app, scheduled to become available in April for Android and iOS. Although students will not be able to register for classes via the mobile app, its functions will include viewing your schedule, searching the course catalog, reviewing billing statuses, viewing grades, checking financial aid, seeing any “to do” items regarding your bursar account, and checking for holds on your account.

On a campus where students are almost always connected to mobile devices, it’s refreshing to see the university taking notice of this and allowing students to conduct official university business through a new mobile platform.

The fall 2016 course catalog will appear on LionPATH on Monday, February 22. For those technologically challenged students, the university has prepared a variety of support documents to ease the transition from eLion to LionPATH. Priority registration for Fall 2016 begins March 16. To find out when you are eligible to register for courses, visit the registration timetable.