🌯 We just raised $10 to buy one burrito

Class planning

How to choose classes at UCSB without wrecking your quarter.

Updated: May 2026

A good class list balances requirements, interest, timing, and the reality of your energy. The goal is not to maximize every choice. It is to build a quarter that feels sustainable after week three.

What matters most when choosing classes

  • What you need for progress, not just what looks interesting right now.
  • How hard the overall mix feels together.
  • Whether the class times match how you actually function.
  • How much walking, waiting, and friction the schedule creates.

A smarter way to decide

QuestionWhy ask it
Do I need this class now?Priority should start with progress, not novelty.
What does this class add to the overall load?One more hard class can change the whole quarter.
Does this fit my best hours?Time matters more than students like to admit.
What do grade patterns and section differences suggest?Data is not everything, but it helps.
Where Lagoon comes in

Lagoon helps after the choice is made too. Schedule visibility, grade data, and a better feel for what your week looks like can keep a “good on paper” quarter from turning into a messy one.

Schedule planningGrade distributions guideGOLD guideDownload Lagoon