Take the time to plan and work through a few alternative schedules to help your registration process run smoothly. Winter and spring registration is open Nov. 10 through Dec. 5.
Friday, October 31, 2025

By CLAS Advising

Registration for spring 2026 and winter 2025 classes is Nov. 10-Dec. 5, 2025. Your registration date and time are determined based on the number of credits you have earned.

Be sure to check MyUI to see when your registration opens, and don’t forget to schedule an appointment with your academic advisor if you need registration authorization or have questions about your schedule.

It can be stressful watching your preferred courses fill while you wait for your registration to open—but you can do more than wait. There are a few ways you can prepare now to help registration go smoothly once your window opens. Your CLAS advisors also have several strategies you can use to help ensure you stay on track even when things don’t go exactly as planned!

Take time to prioritize

It’s important to know which of your planned classes are most essential next semester.

  • Look at which courses are prerequisites in your major. Ask your advisor when you should ideally complete these courses, and when you must complete them to stay on track for graduation.
  • Consider if some courses, especially upper-level requirements, are offered only in the fall or the spring.
  • Identify which major, general education, and elective classes can be taken at another time, or have many alternatives. These classes are more flexible, so it’s okay if your top pick isn’t available right away.

Build backup plans

You’ll be prepared to pivot if you already have alternative schedules ready to go.

  • Use the Schedule Builder to create and save multiple “Preferred Schedules.”
  • Build schedules that work with alternate sections of your priority classes.
  • Build plans with second-choice options as backups for popular gen eds and electives.
  • Online classes fill quickly. If you have an online General Education course in your Schedule Builder, be aware that you will likely need a backup.
  • Practice using the more detailed search features on the MyUI Courses/Registration tab. You can use this page to find classes in a particular category that are “Open and Available” once registration starts using the “Availability” drop-down menu.

Clear your registration holds

Holds will prohibit you from registering at your assigned time and make it more difficult to get into your desired classes.

  • To check for holds, log in to MyUI and click the "Advising" tab. Holds and contact information will be displayed under “Registration Info” in the appropriate session boxes.
  • If possible, clear your hold before registration. If you are nearing graduation and will not be able to clear a hold (such as a U-Bill hold) by your registration time, contact your advisor to think through possible issues in advance.

Your academic advisor cannot lift your hold. Contact the office associated with the hold listed below to learn more about the steps required to remove it.

U-Bill restriction

Contact the Billing office.

Phone: 319-335-0071
Email: ubill@uiowa.edu 

Unsigned student agreement

This is the notice you get when logging into MyUI. To clear this hold, don't skip the form. Instead, click and review the Billing and Payment Student Agreement, and sign off on the info in MyUI. You need to do this every semester. 

Questions for Student Agreement: ubill@uiowa.edu

Missing transcripts

This usually pertains to new transfer students. Be sure to send all final transcripts to the University of Iowa’s Office of Admissions as soon as possible. If you have questions, contact admissions@uiowa.edu.

 

Don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good 

What happens if you go to register and none of your preferred schedules are  available?

  • Don’t wait to enroll! At your registration time, enroll in as many of your planned classes as you can---keeping in mind which classes you need to prioritize. If you wait, more of your classes may fill.
  • You can continue to tinker with your schedule after initially enrolling, including adding classes, switching sections, and taking courses off your schedule.
  • When you enroll, you can choose an option that puts you on the waitlist for any of your preferred classes that were full. Waitlists are offered on a first-come, first-served basis, and remain active through the first week of spring classes.
  • If you end up on some waitlists, add other courses to your schedule while you wait to see what happens with the waitlists. This will ensure that you have a full schedule for the semester.

Check your work and reach out to your advisor

Take a minute to double check that you are enrolled in a full schedule. If you have a scheduling issue you can’t resolve on your own, reach out to your academic advisor.

  • Check your schedule in MyUI under the Courses/Registration tab, noting what you are enrolled in and what is waitlisted.
  • Try to find an alternative yourself—but if you get stuck, ask your advisor for suggestions.
  • If you did not get into a required class needed for graduation, get on the waitlist and let your advisor know immediately. They may be able to help you work with the department to ensure you graduate on time.
  • Request and review an updated degree audit to check that your new courses are showing up where they should, and contact your advisor if you notice any issues.

Registration can be stressful, but being prepared and knowing your alternatives will help you stay on track. Remember, if you need a hand, your advisor is an expert who is here to help you.