Proper course selection and scheduling of classes is one key to being a successful student.  Following the steps detailed below will help you to better prepare for the semester and for the overall completion of your degree.

Step 1: Read the College Catalog
The college catalog outlines your responsibilities, those of the college, academic policies, and degree requirements. Because the catalog is published often, be sure to follow the curriculum outlined in the catalog from the year you declare your major.

Step 2: Understand Your Degree Program
Students enrolled at B.C.C. are pursing one of two degree programs:
▪ Transfer programs, which include the Associate in Arts (A.A.) and Associate in Science
(A.S.) degrees, are for students planning to transfer into baccalaureate degree programs;
▪ Career programs, which result in an Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree, emphasize training needed to enter a chosen field of employment and are designed for students planning to begin a career immediately after receiving their degree.
Be sure to understand which type of degree program you are enrolled in. Some majors, such as accounting and human services, have offerings in both degree programs. If you are uncertain, seek advisement from the appropriate academic department.

Step 3: Research Articulation Agreements
An articulation agreement is an agreement between two schools that allows course credit at one school to be accepted or transferred and applied toward a degree at another school.  Students are encouraged to use articulation agreements as planning tools because they provide an outline of the most appropriate courses to schedule, as well as other important information on the senior college degree program. 

Step 4: Complete Remedial Course Work and Degree Requirements in a Timely Manner
Entering B.C.C. students must take tests in reading, writing, and mathematics to determine their readiness for college level work. Those who do not pass the tests are given appropriate remedial instruction to help them reach the required competency levels. After completing the highest level of instruction, students are retested. Passing the tests is a requirement for graduation as well as for transfer to a CUNY senior college.  Complete remedial requirements as early as possible in your academic career. Be certain to also complete other degree requirements (CPE, two writing intensive courses) in a timely manner.  Detailed information on degree requirements is available in the B.C.C. catalog.

Step 5: Balance Course Work
Avoid taking too many difficult courses during one semester. Strike a balance between courses that require extensive reading (history, English), and those that demand regular, daily preparation (foreign languages, mathematics).  When preparing your class schedule, be sure to select alternates because some of the classes you want may be full.

Step 6: Visualize Your Schedule
To visualize your chosen schedule, it may be helpful to lay it out in a weekly calendar form.  Try to avoid more than three consecutive classes in one day. Allow time for meals and always keep travel in the forefront of your mind. Also factor in the toll of time and energy a job, extra-curricular activities, and family will take in order to achieve a balanced schedule which will not exhaust you so much as to detract from your studies.