Choosing High School Courses

When choosing courses for the following year of high school, do you pick classes because they will look good on your college application? Do you worry that you aren’t taking enough or any honors or AP
classes? The truth is, that successful college preparation looks different for every student, whether your goal is a small private college, a flagship university, or an elite college. The key to all future academic opportunities is a well-rounded education, so students should seek to gain skills, knowledge, and information. Students also need to find ways to develop a global perspective by learning more about the world beyond their classroom. Be knowledge-thirsty as opposed to grade-hungry!

To be competitive, students should aim to take four years in all core subjects. This includes English, the same foreign language, history/social science, math, and science. Elective classes can also reveal the range of an applicant’s interests and help enrich their overall presentation. Taking advanced classes in your areas of academic interest also reveals more about you. Advanced Placement (AP) and Honors courses represent one approach to academic challenge. It's important to consider the amount of time and work needed to fully engage in the course. Too many honors and AP courses can sometimes become overwhelming due to the amount of reading, writing, and other preparation required within the context of a student's overall schedule and extracurricular activities. Standard-level courses, on the other hand, are equally valuable and often more appropriate for building strong skills.

For students with learning differences or those who find standard courses better suited to their learning style, success comes from finding the right balance. Imagine you're learning to play a musical instrument - while some students might jump into advanced pieces, others might benefit more from mastering basics with excellent technique. Both approaches can lead to becoming a skilled musician.

Think of course selection as creating your academic soundtrack. Some students might excel at classical piano, while others shine in jazz or contemporary music. Similarly, your academic choices should reflect your strengths and interests while gradually building your capabilities.

This means different things for different students: for those with particular academic strengths, it might mean taking advanced courses in those areas while maintaining standard-level courses elsewhere. A student comfortable with mathematics but who finds language arts challenging might take AP Calculus while enrolling in standard English classes.

Many students find success through paths beyond traditional high school courses. Dual enrollment at a community college can provide a different learning environment. Summer programs and online courses offer flexibility in timing and pacing.

Colleges are like different types of communities - each with its own culture and expectations. Some might emphasize research and academic intensity, while others might value practical experience and hands-on learning. The key is finding institutions that match your preparation and goals.

Advice for parents supporting your student through this journey: Like being a good coach - you want to challenge them appropriately while avoiding burnout. This means encouraging courses that match their abilities, helping them access support resources when needed, and celebrating progress rather than only grades. Successful college preparation isn't about maximizing course difficulty, it's about building a strong foundation for future learning while developing confidence in your abilities. Think of it as training for a marathon - the goal isn't to sprint every practice run but to build endurance and strength consistently over time.

Remember, students, you can’t design your school’s curriculum but you can control how you complete your four years of high school, so plan well.

Take advantage of all opportunities at your school and in your local area. Try to immerse yourself in meaningful activities that reveal more about who you are and what matters to you. Remember, go for quality not quantity. Consider ways to supplement and/or advance your curriculum by completing a dual-enrollment program or summer classes. Aiming for mastery in core subjects will clearly show readiness for the rigor of the college classroom.

Photo by Lum3n: https://www.pexels.com/photo/close-up-of-photo-of-books-327882/