When considering which classes to take during the next school year, there’s no doubt it can be stressful. From deciding between core classes to electing for fun and relaxing semester courses, having so many options to choose from is overwhelming. Fortunately, The Hiller staff is here to provide their best tips and tricks when it comes to scheduling for the up-and-coming school year!
One of the most important things to remember as students go through the scheduling process is considering the workload of some popular courses. It’s common to feel the need to take all of the hardest classes, as many students want their transcript to look as impressive as possible in preparation for what they decide to do after high school. In reality, keeping up with all of the work from these classes is a difficult task, especially for those that participate in after school activities or have jobs.
Many students attempt to take multiple AP classes and strive to do well on the AP tests in order to skip classes in college. While this can be a great way to lighten the load in the future, students should consider the amount of work they will have to deal with in the upcoming school year.
“I think there’s a lot of stigma around not taking every AP class possible. People want their transcripts to look good for colleges, but it doesn’t matter what classes you take; it’s about the effort you put into the classes that appeals to colleges or other places of work,” says Sports Editor Charlotte Magon.
Instead of taking as many AP classes as possible, students should consider taking a few of these courses at a time.
Editor-in-Chief Addison Paul recommends that students keep a balance in their schedule. She believes that students should not only decide if they want to take challenging courses but also find a way to implement “breaks” in their day.
“Make sure that you have a well-rounded schedule and consider your work-life balance. It can be difficult to take time out of your day to do things that you enjoy when you have so much work to do for a bunch of tough classes, especially if you play a sport or have a job. Try to prioritize a few AP classes that you can handle while still taking classes you enjoy, ” she adds.
Something else students should consider when preparing for the next school year is what their interests are. It’s not
uncommon for people to take courses just because they know they will have a friend in that class. However, this method of scheduling results in students taking classes that they aren’t genuinely interested in. Students should remember to schedule based on themselves and their interests and not around others. Also, consider taking classes that pertain to something they want to do in the future, whether that be in preparation for college or a job in the workforce.
Additionally, it can be difficult to take classes that students don’t know anything about, so consider talking to teachers or students that have taken the class to get advice. Knowing what a class is like, such as the workload, makes it easier to decide whether or not to take it. It is recommended that students learn about these classes before actually taking them in order to avoid any surprises.
As we prepare for scheduling within the next few days, keep these tips in mind when building next year’s schedule. Happy scheduling, Hillers!
