Time for registration is here, and Leesville students have a lot of pressure on what classes they should take in the coming year. Between taking classes you need to graduate, college requirements, classes that interest you, and making sure not to overload yourself, it is a tough task to find the right balance.
Here are some tips:
Decide your own classes. Don’t take classes just because someone says you should. In the end, you’re the one that has to take the course. Certainly consider others advice, but don’t take a certain class just because so-and-so said that it is a really important class, or your parents really want you to take it.
Keep your future in mind. We are in school to advance our learning, so what is the point if it doesn’t connect to what you want to do? This doesn’t only apply to electives. If you want a career in writing, take plenty of advanced English classes. If you want a career in science, then take advanced biology, chemistry, and environmental science.
Don’t go over your breaking point. While it is great to take some honors and AP classes throughout your high school career, make sure not to overload yourself. Make sure to challenge yourself, but don’t overexert yourself. Know when it is too much. The hardest part is to find that fine line. Take into account the amount of work and the complexity of the class.
Keep your other classes in mind. While a certain course may not seem too hard, it may be really tough to keep up with because of your other classes. You may think you can do a course, but when you take into consideration the rest of the classes you are signing up for, that may be really challenging to balance.
Keep your extracurriculars in mind. If you are in any extracurricular, make sure to leave some space in your afterschool schedule to do that. Same goes with a job or a club that may consume a lot of time. Make sure to be reasonable with your time.
Ask around. While it is important to not let others tell you what classes to take, it is important to talk to people who have taken the course. Asking will help you make an informed decision on if the class will be a good fit. Ask them basic questions like “How much homework do you have a night?” It will help you decide whether the work is worth it. Talk to a few different people because one person’s experience could be totally different from another’s.
Talk to the teachers. One of the best ways to get a good perspective on the curriculum is to ask the teachers how kids usually do in the class, how much homework they have a night, and more.
Think ahead. They don’t have to be written in stone, but think about what classes you might want to take for the rest of your high school career. That way, you will know what classes you need to take now to get there.
