North Texas Daily

Christina Ulsh // Design Editor

Extensive stretching, the quality assessment of alcohol, the mentality behind sex and drug statistics are only a handful of topics UNT students can learn about.

You may wonder how to fill remaining required hours for your degree plan. With early registration starting for graduate and honors students March 31—and the rest of campus following close behind depending on classification—it’s a semi-important decision to avoid spending hundreds of dollars to be bored or unjustifiably stressed.  The solution is simple: base the allocation of these hours in areas of interest that don’t necessarily deal with your major.

For example, take Survey of Beverages (HMGT 5200) and drink alcohol. The only prerequisite is being 21 years old.  Here are a few other options we like.

Yoga 

(PHED 1260)

Melt away the stress of hardcore and brain-annihilating academia with some physical exertion in the form of a sun salutation.

Doesn’t that just sound like a pleasant way to get rid of (or at least momentarily escape) the pressures of critical thinking? The physical effort will not only increase your endorphins for a natural happy feeling, but it is also good for those who live a sedentary life.

How often do you think about your physical health now that it’s not a grade-school requirement? When do you have time to fit in a workout with an unrelenting work and school schedule combination?

While yoga is a great option to stop, stretch and slow down an intellect-intensive day, there are also other physical education classes offered that can satisfy the needs of a cardio junkie.

Theatre Appreciation

(THEA 2340)

Students who are fans of performing arts or field trips in general can see theatrical productions all around the metroplex for course credit.

The professor’s philosophy: in order to appreciate theatre, one must experience theatre. Which means about 90 percent of the class is spent watching plays in the DFW area.

Each theater is different and offers an aspect of theater others may not, whether it be due to size, layout, mission or dining options. The time span of the class and lab hours is the time spent going to another town, watching a play and returning home. The first or second class of the semester, students choose carpool groups to account for gas money.

If the class isn’t seeing a live production, rarely will the time spent in the classroom go until lab hours are over. Each play seen requires a written report of some fashion, which is easy if you attend the aforementioned play.

Drugs and Alcohol 

(RHAB 4075 or SOWK 3050)

Wondering what that hallucinogen will do to you? Is your weekly drinking considered addiction? Your brain and body (or that of your relative/friend/coworker) will thank you for taking this course.

Information-heavy, this class doesn’t seem like work. It will save you all that time you would waste on Wikipedia trying to find the same (if not less) information as well as take care of that nagging “Is this reputable information?” voice in the back of your head.

If anything, you’ll have interesting discussion topics to spout as small talk at the next party, social gathering or meeting.

Registering

At 7 a.m. graduate (for grad classes) and honor students can register early on March 31, seniors on April 1, graduate students (for undergrad classes) on April 2, juniors on April 3, sophomores April 5 and freshmen on April 8.

For those who choose to have slim pickings, any class is eligible for regular registration beginning August 15.

Shopping carts are open to be filled. We advise finding all the classes you want and stowing them away until your status’ registration date arrives.

Don’t forget to verify that you can take these courses as an elective with your adviser.

Set the alarm for 6:50 that morning, log online and add courses without so much as a thought. Then lay your head back down and rest easy knowing you have some time until that next registration worry comes along: paying.

Graphic by Christina Ulsh, Design Editor.