Charlotte Skidmore, Reporter
Walking into your counselors office for the first time in 9th grade is something quite nerve wracking. Before you can get comfortable, there is a sudden 4 year long plan created for high school, outlining every class and every elective you should do. But should students follow this path exactly? Well, not exactly. Schedules are entirely variable, and always ready to change along with the student.
The majority of students feel like they need to take as many honors or AP classes as possible, but that is not always the best choice. Students should think about their strengths, interests and how much time they have for homework and activities, rather than focusing on establishing rigor. NCHS Assistant Principal Ari Rothman said, “Students should always think about balance and be honest with themselves as to where they are.”
Due to the congestion of students taking rigorous and popular classes, many don’t get chosen for their prioritized courses. Mr. Rothman explained that even if a student doesn’t get a class right away, there is always another chance: “You might not get it next year, but you could get it the following year.” Though this might be a frustrating occurrence, it can be a great chance to try something new and diversify one’s schedule.
In order to establish a new schedule, especially a balanced one, students should look towards their passions. NCHS offers a multitude of courses covering a vast amount of topics and interests, though they don’t always get to run due to students shying away from prioritizing balance over rigor. One of these courses is Sculpture 1. This class is entirely hands-on, where students can work with materials like clay, wood and cardboard. Maggie Pennoyer, enjoys teaching it and hopes more students sign up so it can run again. “I love making sculpture and working with students,” she said.
Another way to rekindle one’s passions and find ways to balance one’s high school path is participating in school events. Things like concerts, the art show and performances give students a chance to see what they might enjoy before choosing classes. “We hope that students get inspired when they see the work,” Ms. Pennoyer said regarding the art show, it serves as a testament to how extracurricular events help students uncover hidden passions.
Even though course registration can feel overwhelming, counselors are there to help students through it. Guidance counselor Ms. Rivera expanded on the help counselors provide: “Each meeting we look at a student’s schedule and make sure they’re aligned with their goals.” This support is substantial in this process, especially as students diversify their high school path.
While the process provides a lot of support, there is still an important deadline to keep in mind. “Every student has until April 1st to make changes to their course selections. After that, the process shuts down.”
With help from teachers, counselors and the abundance of school events, students can explore different classes, try something new and have a schedule that they enjoy.
