Some people complain that required classes don’t give them enough time to take the classes that they want because so many other courses must come first.
Students are told they must have two P.E. credits, two foreign language credits, and oh yeah, math, science, history and English credits too! What students aren’t thinking about, is that the required classes are there to guide them in the right direction.
Everyone needs to know some math, or how would they keep track of their credit card expenses? If you didn’t know history, how would you prevent it from repeating itself? Without learning English, you might think you’re French.
Sure, required classes might take away time from Personal Fitness, or Gourmet Foods, but the required classes teach us skills that keep us from entering the real world ignorant. They teach us information and skills that we will use for the rest of our lives. I was one of those kids who hated learning how to count coins in elementary school, but I wouldn’t want to show up at college and not know how to count out my laundry quarters. I’ll be thankful I had to learn how to count coins and tell time when I venture into the real world, if I haven’t seen the benefit already.
Our required classes are the same way; eventually we’ll be grateful that we know how to speak a little French, and manage our finances.
We will look back at all of the boring classes we took and wonder why we didn’t appreciate them, the skills we were learning, or the teacher who was helping us, instead of looking at the negative aspects. After all, Virginia must have had some reason for making them required classes.
So the next time you come out of Personal Finance or Spanish, stop complaining. You’re getting a good education in one of the best counties in the country. Is it really that much of a difference in your schedule to take one extra online class, Personal Finance, or German? Besides, who knows, maybe you’ll develop a love for computers and want to be an accountant; or decide you’ve never heard of anything more fun than a salsa dance.
You’ll never know if you like a class until you’re required to take it, so look for the good in every class you take and appreciate all of the opportunities you’re given.