5 course scheduling changes colleges want in 2025

The range of course scheduling stakeholders is broad, from registrars and academic affairs leaders to IT professionals and deans. To kick off the new year, Ad Astra asked stakeholders from more than 500 institutions to share their priorities and goals for course scheduling in 2025. The feedback was enlightening, revealing a collective vision for more efficient, data-driven, and student-centered scheduling. Here are the top five changes colleges and universities hope to see.

1. Data-Driven Decision Making 📊

A recurring theme across the responses was the need to replace traditional scheduling practices with data-driven approaches. Many institutions want to utilize analytics to better predict course demand, align schedules with student pathways, and ensure efficient use of resources. As one respondent put it, “Stop with the 'we’ve always done it that way' mess.” Predictive analytics, such as Ad Astra’s Student Demand Forecasting, can be game-changers in achieving these goals.

By leveraging real-time data and historical trends, colleges can optimize course offerings, reduce unnecessary duplication, and better support students in completing their degrees on time.

2. Integration and Real-Time Updates Between Systems ♾️

System integration remains a key priority for many institutions. Respondents frequently highlighted the need for seamless connections between scheduling platforms like Ad Astra and Student Information Systems (SIS), such as Banner. The current lag caused by manual updates or batch processes is a major pain point. Real-time synchronization ensures smoother operations and reduces delays in implementing critical scheduling changes.

3. Adoption of Annual Scheduling 📅

The concept of annual scheduling resonated strongly with respondents. Institutions see fixed, year-long schedules as a way to improve planning, transparency, and student outcomes. Several participants expressed interest in making annual scheduling the norm at their institutions. This approach not only helps students map out their academic journeys but also streamlines resource allocation for colleges. One respondent shared, “I believe implementing a fixed annual class schedule with limited adjustments would bring significant benefits to our institution.” Resources such as Ad Astra's Annual Schedule Planning can assist with this effort. 

4. Enhanced Training and Adoption Across Stakeholders 🖥️

While the technology is available, many institutions struggle with adoption. Respondents emphasized the importance of training academic leaders, such as deans and department chairs, to maximize the impact of scheduling tools. “We need to do better training with our chairs,” one respondent remarked, highlighting a common challenge. Broader engagement and buy-in across all stakeholders can help ensure that data and tools are used effectively to support institutional goals and improve student outcomes.

5. More Student-Centered Scheduling 🎓

At the heart of these changes is the need for scheduling practices that prioritize students. Institutions want to better align schedules with student demand patterns, pathways, and degree requirements. This includes reducing scheduling conflicts, offering more classes outside of peak times, and analyzing course demand to ensure availability aligns with student needs. As one respondent put it, “Utilizing Ad Astra to ensure student-centered scheduling” should be a priority for all institutions. Making scheduling decisions with students in mind not only improves retention but also enhances the overall college experience.

Moving Toward the Future

The feedback from these stakeholders paints a clear picture of where course scheduling is headed in 2025: toward a future that’s smarter, more efficient, and student-focused. By adopting these changes, colleges and universities can better meet the needs of their students, improve operational efficiency, and achieve their institutional goals.

What do you think about these priorities? Are there changes you’d like to see in course scheduling at your institution? Share your thoughts in the comments below!