Sometimes the classes we want to take aren’t the classes that colleges want us to take.
On a college application, there are certain classes that look especially attractive. These classes are usually academically challenging in a specific subject, and definitely make the student look more prepared for the challenge of college life. But these classes often do not particularly appeal to the student’s interest. Many students are pushed to take classes that make their transcripts look more appealing, but that they don’t necessarily enjoy. The classes that students do want to take are more likely to be the ones that colleges tend to scoff at when considering an applicant.
If a student wants to take more classes that stray from the norm, their chances are significantly limited. Every year, students must take a number of required courses, which leaves little room for discovering their other interests through taking electives. Students are even encouraged to stick with their elective for multiple years. Therefore, most students feel pressured to take the same elective all four years of high school, even if they don’t particularly enjoy it.
In combination with these required courses that prevent students from exploring new interests, colleges look for a more centered interest on one subject over an eclectic exploration of a variety of courses. If a student tries to take a bunch of different classes they are interested in, a college is less likely to accept them because they are not focused on one subject or major. The result is that students may never even have the chance to try new classes they have always wanted to try, and they will never know if they could have taken a class they would have enjoyed more.
Freshmen are often torn between electives. You take one, and find it isn’t for you, but then it may be too late to try another elective. That means students might not be able to find their passion in high school.
Today, the expectations for students are extremely high, especially in Fairfax County, and many students fail to pursue their passions for the sake of meeting these prestigious expectations. We follow this pattern just because we want to get into the best college possible. We should really take more classes that make us happy, and try not to worry so much about how smart we look to others.
Hard classes—even APs—can be challenging and worth the ssure. But every student should do what they enjoy and take classes they want to take, not classes that they take merely because of peer or college pressure.
Every student should be happy in the courses they choose, and those courses should suit your personal interests. So if you aren’t happy taking the classes you chose, think about what you really want out of your education, and make a change.