Choose What High School Courses to Take

High school is a very important time in a teenager's life - a time to learn more about one's self and a springboard for future careers. The classes that you choose can help you understand both personal interests and career-related interests, and such are very important.

Steps

  1. Know your requirements. High schools have a list of required credits that you must take in order to graduate. Most high schools require four years of English and Math, three years each of Social and Science; two years of a foreign language or artistic class (these vary); and various other credits. In high school, you most likely are required to take some form of Biology, Physics, Chemistry for science, and American and World History for history, along with some sociology, economics, American government/civics, and psychology, along with a health credits and PE credits. You may be required to take some type of Algebra, most likely Algebra I and II, Geometry, Statistics, and some Trigonometry. Pre-calc and Calc are generally for honor students.
  2. Know your choices. Schools will give out a "course list", a list of classes that are offered to the school. Skim through this list and mark all classes that interest you.
  3. Narrow it down. Look carefully at who is allowed to take the classes. Some classes are for upperclassmen only, or only for a specific grade.
  4. Make a list. All the classes that you want to take (that are provided for your grade level) should go on this list.
  5. Start with the basics. Required courses for each year can vary from school to school, but usually English, Math, Science, and some form of History are required. Sometimes high schools ask for Physical Education or a foreign language as well.
  6. Leave some wiggle room. Though it may be tempting to cram your schedule full of difficult classes, whether you are an overachiever or just would like to get them out of the way, resist. High school is a difficult time, and although you should take challenging courses, balance yourself out with courses with subjects that you enjoy.
  7. Keep your future in mind. Goals, dreams, aspirations... the eternal 'what do you want to be when you grow up?' question comes into play in high school. Here you start laying the foundation for your career. You should have a basic idea in your head of what you'd like to do in the future. If you absolutely have no idea, try reading this article. Remember, all plans are subject to change.
  • Take classes related to your career, like Early Child Development for preschool teachers or Intro to Manufacturing for carpenters and engineers.

Tips

  • Think about your future dreams. When selecting classes to take, consider which classes might best help you in this. Talking to someone in a career that is interesting to you and discovering the prerequisites is helpful.
  • Be sure to keep a list of classes you want to take in the future. Some classes that you want to take, like Chemistry, require Physics or Biology beforehand. Even if you didn't plan on taking Bio, if you really want Chemistry, you might have to.
  • Some classes are bare necessities for the "real world". Managing Your Money, Marriage and Parenthood, Child Development, Living On Your Own, and Basic Engines courses are essential.
  • High school counselors are there to help you. If you have any questions, ask them - they contain a veritable treasure trove of knowledge and would be happy to share.
  • Consider your interests at home. If you like to make professional quality films with your video camera you got for Christmas, you should take a film making or drama course. If you are interested in WW II battles, you should take a modern history course, and so on. If you like writing music, you should take a music production or poetry class.
  • If you have older siblings, ask which subjects that they particularly enjoyed or which they disliked; but keep in mind that you and your siblings are different. A class that they hated, you may love, and vice versa.
  • Sign up for more higher level classes at the beginning of the school year. It's often easier to move down if it's too hard than to move up if it is too easy. For instance if you moved up to a higher level class, where course material can be covered more quickly, you might have a lot of catching up to do.

Warnings

  • Don't take classes that are too difficult for you. You want to push yourself, but if your grades are reflecting that, transfer out.
  • Do not take classes that you might not enjoy for the sake of being with friends or a significant other. Unfortunately, relationships do change, and the high school may be unwilling to change your schedule if you have a falling out.

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