Lost During Registration? You’re Not Alone (and Here’s What I Learned)
We were all once Vanier outsiders, simply awaiting to become Insiders on that fateful day: Registration. I felt as if taking that one step would finally make me a Cheetah, a part of something bigger than myself. However, when I eventually opened my laptop and began my course choices, I realized that I felt even more of an outsider. I had no idea how it worked: which classes I could or should take, what a course code was, what difference there was between majors and programs, etc. Starting college brings many questions that are usually left unanswered until the first week of classes, which is entirely too late for registration. That sentiment has been shared among most of my friends and I, even those from different colleges. A friend of mine who is newly in CEGEP had her own registration woes not-so-long-ago. Once she completed her course choices, which felt like a sisyphean task, she confessed “I was so lost. It made me feel incredibly stupid”, which reminded me of my own nescience regarding registration. This interaction compelled me to write about it, to assure other students, new and old, that you are not alone. Registration can be quite a difficult task.
If you didn’t know, Vanier recently welcomed a new head of registration: Nicolas Park. When I found out, I knew I had to speak with him. Mr. Park has been part of the Vanier community for nearly a decade—starting as a physics teacher, then as the Science Program Coordinator, and now stepping into the role of Dean of Academic Systems and Registrar just two months ago.
I began our interview by asking how he views the student experience during the registration process. He compared the entire process from his end to “putting together a 35,000-piece puzzle, where not every piece fits perfectly.” With over 6,500 students, each with their own required courses, preferences, and individual constraints, not to mention teachers’ own, the system quickly becomes incredibly complex. That’s why, he explained, it’s nearly impossible to create a “perfect schedule” for every student.
Mr. Park also acknowledged the disappointment and frustration many students feel when they don’t get their desired classes or time slots. However, he emphasized that there is an opportunity to make adjustments and “regain some control over their schedule”, which comes in the form of preference course change at the end of the first week of classes.
When I asked Mr. Park about the biggest challenges in our current registration system, he pointed to the sheer scale of the operation. With over 35,000 course spots and 6,500+ students all trying to register for limited spaces, some level of conflict is inevitable.
He also explained that while other CEGEPs sometimes use simpler registration systems, they often sacrifice flexibility and student choice in the process, something that Vanier tries hard to preserve.
Curious about how the registration team gathers input, I asked about student and faculty feedback. Mr. Park shared that a student-wide survey was conducted in June 2025, while faculty and staff feedback is gathered through department and program coordinators. He emphasized, “Feedback from students and faculty is essential, but I also see it as an opportunity to share feedback in the other direction. That is why I appreciate opportunities like this one. The more everyone understands the pressures and limits of registration, the better we can work together to improve the process.”
Finally, Mr. Park underscored that student support is one of their top priorities. All necessary registration resources are currently available in the Registrar’s Office section on Omnivox, and he assured me that the team is always open to improving those tools.
It was an honour to interview someone as dedicated as Mr. Park. Speaking with him helped me realize how complex registration really is, something we often take for granted as students. I hope that when winter registration comes around, we take a moment to appreciate all the behind-the-scenes work that makes our course selection possible.
The Insider would like to thank the Vanier College Dean of Registration, Nicolas Park, for collaborating with us on this article.
