Thank you for sharing these difficulties, as this may help others to go into a situation with a raised awareness of what they might encounter.
Three thoughts on changes which may improve a student's ability to navigate the system:
1) Some schools are admitting record numbers of students, and have failed to plan accordingly, whether raising class size, creating more sections, or more delivery formats (evening, accelerated, online, blended, etc). They may need or benefit from upgrades to their computer forecasting and scheduling systems. Based upon declared majors and minors, schools ought to create capacity to provide the education which they essentially promised by admitting these students.
2) It is my understanding that as a part of the accreditation process, colleges may be evaluated, in part, on their recent graduate job placement statistics. A downturn in hiring may therefore result in restrictions in the number of students graduated overall, and/or in a particular program or major. Better forecasting and/or student advising may help the schools deliver on the education promised to the students they've admitted.
3) Some schools may be limited by contracts with their professors, adjuncts, and others who may teach a limited number of classes.
Great point, about an early college entrant possibly living at home to help offset costs.
