Thank you guys so much for over 150 followers! Yeah, the number’s small, but I’m still thankful nonetheless. That being said, have another masterpost.
The end of the school year is just around the corner, maybe even already past, and it’s near high school or college. This question has rung or is ringing in people’s minds. There are the students out there with a goal and a four-year course plan and those struggling to start. Whether or not you’ve got things laid out, chances are you’ll drift from your path. So here’s a general starter guide for courses, majors, and whatnot.
Note: Most information here is strictly for the American education system.
Whether you’re choosing courses, colleges, or a major, there are four main factors that need to be considered when making these decisions:
In American high schools, there’s usually three different levels of courses you can take. There are the normal courses, then the honors courses, and finally AP courses. (Maybe IB courses if you’re lucky, or if you happen to be going to a specialized high school, then there’ll be post-AP courses.) Before taking all regular courses or taking twenty-five APs on a coffee high, think about the consequences. Will you have the energy to pour into around five hours or so of studying into college-level courses that may have little to no effect on your possible major as well as extracurriculars? Will your target college(s) accept regular courses? For those going to college, think about the rigor of your major or your possible college. People handle work at different rates. Too little work leads to negative time management habits that can negatively affect you. Too much work leads to stress and other health problems. Find out how you handle work, then be able to translate that into real life. Work at a higher level than normal if you’re in high school. Colleges look for academic rigor. However, it’s also important to check your limits.
Okay, so you’ve made your four-year course plan and you have over 10 APs. Chill for a moment. While academic rigor is important to colleges, especially Ivy-tier schools, your mental health trumps that importance. Yes, you may want to take five APs in a year, but try to balance that out with a non-AP class. Generally, it’s important to have around 1-2 “breather classes” a year where the work is easy and you can relax. It’s a refuge from the stress going on in those years and can help you unwind. This is especially important in junior and senior year where you’ll be extremely stressed with academics. But don’t pick classes just because they’re easy. Your classes need to help you grow.
Just because a course is easy doesn’t mean that it’ll help you greatly in the long run. For example, Spanish may be an easy course, but consider how Latin improves English comprehension and is a gateway to all Romance languages. For those browsing colleges, a B.S. degree from Yale may be easier to brag about, but a state college could offer a program for your major that’s just as good or better than a Tier 1 school. Your courses are tailored to your path. It doesn’t have to be an exact path, rather just one for growth.
If you don’t enjoy the course, then how are you going to get anywhere in it? For those in high school, you may have not as much leeway with this, but consider taking electives you like in those free spots in junior or senior year instead of draining APs. Better yet- take an AP pertaining to your interests, even if it has nothing to do with your major. In terms of choosing college majors, go for a major that goes with your interests. Passion is motivation’s engine. Without passion, you’ll just view the class as a chore and yearn more for the weekend than learn from it. With passion, you’ll stay alert during lectures, have the drive to succeed, and pass the tests with flying colors.
That being said, keep these four Es in mind when selecting courses and you’ll (hopefully) find some clarity in your path. As a final note, while it may be helpful for some to ask family and friends about this matter, know that the only one who truly knows you is you. You’re the one who can see all of the facets that make you shine. Take note of the brilliant facets, maybe add a few more karats, and don’t forget to polish already-existing skills to create an academic mind that will truly stay gold.
