Valentina Fuentes, Reporter
@valentfcourant
March 1 marked the day when all NCHS students, aside from seniors, submitted their course selections. A month later, on April 1, those choices will become finalized, with some adjustments still allowed through counselors.
While some students have their path through high school set, many others struggle to pick courses, often overwhelmed by misconceptions on what colleges look for. This can often lead to overloading on APs, neglecting personal interests, and unnecessary stress throughout the year.
NCHS counselor Ms. Marash offered insight into how students should approach this process. “It is important to recognize your skills and your strengths when you are in the process of course selection,” she said. “If you don’t like something, you’re not going to be motivated to do the work, and you are not going to be successful in it.”
Sophomore Caitlin Neville approached her course selection last year with a similar mindset. Rather than following the typical path for sophomores, she chose courses that aligned with her strengths. “I knew that I didn’t want to take AP World, which is the most typical AP class for sophomores to take, but I still wanted to take a college-level class. Since I have an interest in science, I chose to take AP Chemistry to get the experience and be challenged.”
Caitlin’s approach demonstrated that students don’t need to overload themselves with every AP course available. It can be more beneficial to take classes that set you up for success. “I’d rather take a class where I learn things that benefit me and I find interesting, rather than just taking a class for the AP credit,” she said.
Senior Chris Masiuk shares a different perspective. “I’ve taken AP U.S. History, AP Language and Composition, and AP Physics. For me, it was about challenging myself and pushing my academic limits,” he said. However, he acknowledged the pressure. “It can definitely be stressful balancing AP classes with other responsibilities, but I try to stay organized and manage my time well.”
Although students follow different paths through high school, managing their workload can still be stressful for everyone. “I am only in one AP class this year, but I also take multiple honors classes, which can be very stressful at times,” Caitlin said. “I manage it by thoroughly studying the subject matter to gain confidence in class.”
Ms. Marash stressed the importance of student well-being, and reminded students of the many resources available. “The first thing I would always say is come and see your counselor if you start feeling overwhelmed and don’t know what to do,” She said. “Teachers can be helpful, they are there to make sure that you are learning and understanding. They will always be available if you ask them for extra help. There are so many opportunities to really do well- you just have to be brave enough to ask.”
In addition to providing mental health support, counselors are the perfect resource to form an academic path. With the NCHS Program of Studies, counselors can walk students through graduation requirements and help fit them into their schedule. They ensure students meet core class requirements in mathematics, social studies, science, and english over your four years.
Along with core classes, students need 0.5 credits each for Visual & Performing Arts (VPA) and Career & Technical Education (CTE) electives. These courses offer a variety of options, from sculpture and car care to business. Other electives, like zoology or statistics, are also available, giving students a chance to explore diverse interests.
Ms. Marash explained that parents can be a good resource for such a decision as well. “Your parents see another side of you that might not be portrayed at school, they know what you’re good at and what your interests are,” Ms. Marash said. “Some parents even like to check out the program of studies with their children and recommend different courses to take.”
At the end of the day, course selection is about finding a balance that works for you, finding your path, and utilizing resources available. As Ms. Marash said, “You want to worry about yourself and remember that you know whether something is a good decision, and if your gut tells you it’s not a good decision, don’t do it.”
