Registration Online: 10 Secrets For Success
The more we rely on technology for the necessities of daily life, the more we expect quick, efficient and reliable services. We have come to expect that we can go online and get anything from a product to service, to paying our bills – all at any time of day or night. And when it comes to registering your child in a school and other activities or sports programs, these expectations are even higher.
The registration process is a major event for parents who are bringing their children into an organization for which they may not know many people. Before you plunge into the process, though, there are a number of things that can help you make it easier for yourself and for your child.
Here are some time management tips to make registering your child as pain-free as possible:
1. Register early and often. The earlier the better. If your child is only a few days away from starting school, it's best to register ahead of time so there isn't a mad rush immediately after the first day of school – everyone wants to get through all of the paperwork in one sitting so they don't have many options when it comes time to make changes or sub out their classes.
The same is true for activities and after-school programs. The earlier you register, the better your chances of getting a program that fits your child's interests and schedule.
2. Register online. Most schools now have online registration portals that allow parents to go online at any time of day and register their child, as well as make changes at their convenience and pay bills on line. While it might take some time the first couple of times you do it, the efficiency gained from doing all of these things on line more than makes up for it in the long run.
3. Don't wait until the last minute. Most schools have last-minute registrations, and while it might be tempting to take advantage of that, especially if you're watching your credit card bill or your child's school action pass account, consider how it will go over with your child. Children don't like to feel as though they're being squeezed. By giving them plenty of notice on when and if registration is needed, they'll know ahead of time that they can register as soon as school starts without feeling rushed or resented.
4. Check the eligibility requirements for the programs you want to enroll in. Some schools will have eligibility requirements that you'll have to meet in order to enroll. It's best to check with your child's school, or ask the registrar or sports director, in advance so you don't get surprised by every one of their ridiculous requirements.
5. Try to join up with other parents of the same age and interests. Joining up with other parents can help you get the right program for your child and will also cut down on some of the registration time if you are all facing similar situations. Most activities and sports departments are attached to schools, so following these departments on Facebook or Twitter may be a good way to find out when registration is approaching for certain programs at your child's school.
6. Restructure your schedule to fit in registration. Consider working out a later start time for your child's school, or investing in an early morning or late evening slot on your schedule at work. If you are starting school again, you could try adding some extra evening or weekend time to your day that would allow you to get registration finished at a more convenient time. You may find that you can do this by making some changes with the bus company that takes your child, and whether it's worth it to shop for a new commute car if necessary is up to you and the cost of gas.
7. Use technology where it can help and stick with what works for you in the end. Most schools now have online registration systems, making it easier than ever for parents to get their courses and activities signed up without being at the school. While it may take some time to learn how to use them, and they can be confusing at first, making the change to online registration will save you time over registering at the school, especially if more than one family is using them. The best thing about them is that they allow you to pay bills on line and submit all of your documents right there in your home or office.
8. Keep track of which colleges are accepting applications and which ones are still in high demand. Every semester (or the most recent – in some cases) there are applications being accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis. This is especially true for colleges that don't accept a lot of applications, like community and state colleges. Checking back periodically and monitoring this trend can help you plan ahead.
9. Highlight which schools have programs that suit your child's needs and interests. Whether it's science or social studies, a foreign language class or track or field team, there are lots of options for your child. So take a good look at the options, and then narrow them down to the best few. This will help you get in and out of registration faster.
10. Find out about your child's local schools before you move there. This might sound like common sense, but if you're moving to a different town or city from where you've registered before or have never lived in before, it helps to find out about the schools that are available to your child. Information about the success rates of schools and programs is available on the school websites in many places, so make sure you ask the registrar or search for these resources online.
11. Don't get too obsessed with learning all of your options. While you want to make sure that your choices cover your child's interests and needs, don't get too wrapped up in the details of particular programs when you're evaluating them. Some children will thrive in a program with lots of social interaction, while others will be bored out of their minds. If you specify your child's preferences or suggest a particular program right off the bat and they don't like it, it probably isn't for them anyway.
Conclusion
If you've gotten through this list and still think you're totally confused and have no idea how to choose a school for your child, try calling the registrar or even the head of the sports department at your child's school. Most of these people are more than willing to help and will be able to give you information about how your child's previous experience translates into his or her future educational success. Remember that they can't tell you which school will be good for your child, so don't mistake their expertise for a local inside scoop on which teachers are popular and which kids get along well with others.