As students sit for their class, Ms. Suguna stands at the front to explain the course selection process. Afterwards, students go home to discuss with their parents in order to decide on their courses for the next academic year. The logic used for each individual may differ though, especially across different grade levels when comparing the differences and similarities in reasoning for middle schoolers to high schoolers.
“My personal interests mainly impact my selection of the courses,” said student Chantal Ruan (8), “Because I tend to prioritize my personal interests to select the courses.”
The main factors that impact the choices of students in both middle school and high school are their personal interests and goals for their future. As a middle schooler, Ruan shares how she is aiming to focus on selecting courses related to economics, history, and English due to her interest in studying law in the future. However, the usage of this logic does not stop at the end of middle school, but rather, extends to being used by most high schoolers as well.
“My personal interests heavily impact my course selection,” said student Juhi Bhora (10), “Because I've known for a couple of years now, when I go to college, I want to major in engineering and physics, which has heavily influenced the way I have tracked my math and science courses.”
The workload given by classes appears to be another important factor for both middle schoolers and high schoolers. However, most high schoolers have shared how as they transitioned from middle school to high school, the workload has increased tremendously, especially due to AP courses, resulting in greater consideration of pressure from individual classes.
“Workload is another factor. Learning how to manage your workload, especially with these AP courses, which are very workload and content heavy,” said student Sowmyan Narayanan (9), “Knowing which AP courses to take and to manage your workload well is definitely a factor that comes into my decision making.”
Additionally, despite the agreement on the need for academic rigor for all high schoolers, there appears to be a greater focus on it for students in 10th grade and above.
“Taking the most challenging and rigorous courses while also succeeding in them is what I would say is 90% of the thought process behind my course selection,” continued Bhora.
While there is the desire to be in the same class as friends, it is a factor that most grades across both middle school and high school can agree is barely considered during course selection, in comparison to other aspects.
“Pairing with my friends doesn't really matter as much,” continued Ruan, “I still get to see them every day when I go to school.”
Furthermore, a crucial part of any class is the teacher. When choosing classes for course selection though, both middle schoolers and high schoolers have agreed upon this not being considered an important factor.
“I don't think the teacher impacts the course that much,” continued Narayanan, “The content is more of where the course selection matters, not the teacher.”
In addition, high schoolers have shared the difference in their current mindset compared to their middle school years regarding course selection. Bhora shares the increased stress and need of getting the classes that have been planned in high school as they determine the classes and schedule in the following years. She also shares the increased probability of being content with not getting the desired class in middle school compared to now.
“In middle school, if your mindset is to have fun, then keep that mindset, because that's the most fun you're probably going to have until you join high school and realize that everything you do will matter for your future,” said Bhora, “If you want to take fun classes in middle school, take those fun classes.”
Overall, course selection has proven to be a complex process for students as they consider numerous aspects ranging from their interests and goals to their workload and the academic rigor of classes.
“The best way to tackle course selection is to do what you really enjoy,” said Narayanan, “Taking the courses that you enjoy and truly like will actually help you understand what you would like to do, and I feel that's really valuable in the future.”