Playbook for Success: Success Coaches Share Their Top Registration Tips

Oct. 19, 2026

Spring enrollment opens Oct. 19 for current students and Oct. 26 for everyone. We’ve asked Dallas College success coaches for their best tips to ensure it all goes smoothly.

1. Plan ahead. Review your degree plan and schedule a time to check in with your assigned success coach early to ensure a thoughtful, stress-free session where you can get any questions answered. Here’s how to make a success coach appointment. If you don’t know who your assigned coach is, you can find out by logging into Navigate or Workday.
2. Complete your FAFSA/TASFA application. You will need to complete at least one of these applications each academic year, if you intend to apply for financial aid. The FAFSA application is now open for the 2026-2027 academic year.
3. Plan for payment. You will need to pay your tuition within seven days of registration to avoid being dropped from your classes. Set up a payment plan, if necessary.
4. Check for holds. Log into Workday, go to your profile and click “Action Items and Holds” to see if there are any holds that may keep you from registering. Holds could be fees owed, academic standing or missing documents.
5. Don’t overschedule. Think about your productivity peaks — are you a morning person or more of a night owl? Also, don’t forget to schedule time away from your courses to rest, eat and study. Please consider your commute times for in-person classes, especially if you are taking classes at more than one location.
6. Check for prerequisites. Do you meet the requirements to take the class you intend to enroll in? Prerequisites are listed under “Eligibility” when you view a course section in Workday.
7. Have a plan A and a plan B. Outline the classes and sections you prefer to take but have backup options in case those sections are full. Don’t forget to refer to your program of study and review your Academic Progress in Workday. There, you can also select applicable classes and self-register.
8. Use the waitlist system. If a course you want is full, don’t abandon it. You may join a waitlist. If a seat becomes available you will be notified via Workday and you’ll have 24 hours to respond. You can find waitlist instructions here (login required).
9. Preparing to graduate? If you are registering for your final classes to complete your program of study this Spring, don’t forget to submit your Graduation Application. In March, you can also sign up to participate in our May graduation ceremonies.

Now that you are prepared, visit DallasCollege.edu/Register for a registration checklist, additional deadlines and a step-by-step guide to registering in Workday.

• Need To Know