» Mon Aug 11, 2014 2:04 pm Oh boy, where do I begin? I've been trying to get registered for this community college in Texas for about... four/five months now?
To give some context: I was living out of the state this college is in when I began the application process, so my only option to get started was to go through the online website. Let me tell you guys, this website was PURE JUNK. First, you have to go through all the usual questions one would go through when applying for any college: The stuff about your parents, how much income they make, what hospital you were born in, etc. Now if you're like me and have a pretty terrible relationship with one of your parents, this part is already a bit awkward to get through. And when we factor in the fact that I'm a millitary brat (this means I moved all the time in my childhood,) some of the questions end up receiving very unusual answers.
So once I got through all that, what followed was the need to go through modules. What kind of modules, you may ask? The kind that svck. The kind that regurgitate information that one would think is common sense into your throat, like some screwed up re-enactment of "Two Girls, One Cup." "Don't forget to come to class on time!" "Be sure to get a good night's sleep!" "Buy your textbooks early!" Yadda yadda, you get the point.
So I get through the modules, (by the way, I had to disable my popup blocker just to access them) and can finally... register for this thing called a TSI exam. It's pretty much a subsitute for the ACT/SAT if you haven't taken those, so whatever. Fair enough. Unfortunately for me, it took about two months before I could continue from that point. When I finally did take the TSI, it was easy stuff...
...Except for one part that bothers me. The TSI is a computerised test. All of it. Including a part where you have to write an essay. I need you people to take a moment and think about this: Your essay is graded by a robot.
So what did I get on my essay? A 6! Now, any normal person would think that's a pretty bad score and maybe feel a little ashamed of themselves... that is, until you find out that the essay was graded on a 1-5 scale. I got a 6 on a 1-5 scale. What?!
FINALLY, I can start beginning the registration process. Oh wait no, I have to go to a "New Student Orientation" now, where a bunch of people get dragged around the College Campus in 90-100 Degree weather. To be fair, this orientation was actually pretty nice and helpful for the most part, though it did overstay its welcome... however... I don't think we needed a ONE HOUR LECTURE ON WHAT QUALIFIES AS FORCED six, STALKING, AND WHAT A PERSON SHOULDN'T DO ON CAMPUS. Am I part of a minority that understands not to be a jerk, hurt people, or break things because that kind of stuff has consequences? I must be, given that it seems like the people running the show felt we needed to be reminded on very basic things.
And I know why they do it, I do. It's so that when someone does eventually do something stupid, the staff can say "Look, we informed the students of resources and please don't sue us." But still. I don't need to be lectured for an entire hour on how not to be a piece of [censored] human being.
So finally, FINALLY!!! It's time to register for classes... butwaitasecond. It can NEVER be as easy as picking the classes that you need to get your major/certificate. Now I have to take some nonsense "college readiness" class for a semester (thankfully only until August) alongside all the stuff I actually care about. But fine, whatever. I'll get it over with. As it stands, my current game plan could have me out of this college by around this time next year.
So I pay the registration fee. I go on their junk website and I THINK I registered for the classes. I can't be too sure, since the wesite is complete garbage that never gives anyone a sense of certainty. But I THINK I did.
And then, two days ago, while I'm checking out the website to see what text books I need to order (great overpriced devils, aren't they?) I notice something... I HAVE HOLDS ON MY REGISTRATION. Not just any holds though, but holds that say I need to attend Student Orientation, and register for that "college readiness" class that I already registered for! WHAT?! I call the school up to ask "What gives?" I give them my information, and the lady on the phone pretty much says, "Mmmmkay, Ima pass this information off to the High Chancellor," (not exactly what she said, but you get the point,) "Please stay on hold." So they put me on hold. I sit there on hold for like... ten minutes, listening to this "hip" and "edgy" waiting music, accompanied by advertisemants. And then a voice speaks! It's a automated voice. "Due to high traffic, we cannot take your call at this time. Please try again later." Click. The phone hangs up.
So now I have to wake up ass early tomorrow and get down to the school, just so I can tell them "Hey. Your stupid system screwed up. Fix it." Chances are they're going to ask be the same questions I've been asked already, and I'll have to pull out my registration receipt and say "No. No more questions. I paid already. I registered already. Get your [censored] together." Of course, I won't say that to the person I deal with. They're probably suffering worse than me from the screw-ups of whoever it is behind our sorrows. Remember people: Customer support has to deal with your problems more than you do.
I must say though. The campus looks nice, and I can definetly see myself starting what I plan to start out here. But the registration? [censored] REGISTRATION.
TL; DR
College Registration svcks. Let's bash on it.
