Published: October 6, 2025
Semester Planning at a Glance:
- WHEN: Advisors will begin spring semester planning meetings in early October to help you prepare for registration in early November.
- WHO: Students in the earlier stages of your degree should connect with your University Advisor, while those further along in your program will work with your Faculty Advisor. Their names and contact info are listed in your MaineStreet Classic Student Center
- BE PREPARED: Check out the Spring 2026 class schedule and build your wishlist in MaineStreet before meeting with your advisor. Tools like your Degree Progress Report (DPR) and Advisor Notes are available in MaineStreet and Navigate.
October is the perfect time to start thinking about what comes next. At the University of Southern Maine (USM), Semester Planning helps you stay on track and feel confident about your academic journey. Throughout October, you should plan to meet with your advisors to map out courses for spring. On your specific registration date in early November, you’ll be ready to hit “enroll” on your approved Wish List without the stress of scrambling at the last minute! Who you meet with depends on where you are in your degree progress. If you are in the earlier stages of your degree you should connect with your University Advisor, we are here to help you explore options, balance requirements, and plan ahead. Students further along in your program will work with your Faculty Advisor from your major. They will help you dive deeper into your program, think about next steps in your field, and make sure you’re meeting all the requirements to graduate on time. You can find who advisors are in your MaineStreet Student Center.
The key to a successful appointment is preparation. Don’t wait until you’re sitting in the meeting to think about classes. Instead, build a wishlist in MaineStreet with the courses you’d like to take. Having your ideal draft schedule ready not only saves time but also shows your advisor the direction you’d like to go. From there, you can work together to fine-tune your plan. You also have powerful tools at your fingertips. Your Degree Progress Report (DPR) in MaineStreet shows what you’ve already completed and what’s left on your checklist. Reviewing it before your meeting will help you understand where you stand with satisfying your degree requirements. Past advising notes, which you can find in MaineStreet and/or Navigate, are another great resource. Advisors often leave helpful reminders and suggestions in those notes that can guide your choices. Coming in with this background work done makes the conversation with your advisor more meaningful and focused on your goals. Once your spring schedule plan is set, the next big date to keep in mind is actual course registration.
Registration for current students begins in early November, and your specific registration date is posted in your MaineStreet Student Center. Registration dates are assigned based on credits you’ve already earned, not the courses you’re currently taking (credits in progress). Checking your registration date early gives you the chance to be ready and register on your assigned date. Planning your semester isn’t just about picking courses off a list, it’s about shaping your overall experience at USM. Maybe you’re balancing Core requirements with your major, or thinking ahead about internships, research, or study abroad opportunities. Maybe you want to make sure your workload is manageable alongside a job or other commitments. Whatever your priorities, taking the time to plan now gives you more control and less stress when registration begins.
Don’t wait until the last minute – schedule your Semester Planning appointment today!
Set yourself up for a strong start to Spring 2026.
