Juniors, Sophomores, and Freshmen! Registration has come, and let’s be honest it’s hard to know what classes to take. As a senior who has completed all her credits and more, I have come to offer some advice.
What’s great about Rocky is the many different opportunities, through classes, to explore what you like so the most important thing is to build your schedule around what your interests are. That being said, my advice comes from someone who did not take any music classes and didn’t have to work around the set year-long classes.
Freshmen
Freshmen, you all have lots of opportunities open to you for what classes to pick. Let’s start with the basics. For core classes, I have always tried to evenly distribute my classes. Whatever Math and Science class is next for you I recommend putting on different semesters because both classes use math. The same goes for English and History classes. Both use more reading and writing skills so putting them on separate semesters will help with burnout.
When it comes to math, if you haven’t already, I suggest doubling up. If you are a math person it will help you get to higher classes sooner and if you’re not you will not have a math class your senior year. The school credit requirements also say you only have to take three but most colleges like to see that you made it through college algebra.
This next year is also a time to explore new interests and keep going with some that you like. Try the woodworking, film, weights, and art classes. Even if you’re not sure if you will like it, try it! By signing up for random classes I found interests that I now want to do as a profession. And if you’re scared, make a friend take it with you.
Some other things to keep an eye on are language classes. Getting them done sooner rather than later will benefit you because you can continue and get your seal of biliteracy or have an off period later on.
Sophomores
No one can deny that you are going into a wild year, but you will do fine.
This is the year you can start considering whether you want to take classes like economics and personal finance this year or next year. If you have the space to take one of them, do it; you’ll thank me your senior year when you can take one less class.
With the SATs being next year for you here are some things that helped me. First, taking a math class in the second semester. Getting my brain to think mathematically every day helped me with the math sections on the test. Second, and a little controversial, taking AP English. AP English teaches you the basic English class things as well as how to do well on the AP Test, which includes grammar and reading multiple-choice, which just so happens to be the same things you will find on the SATs. I’d also encourage you to take the test no matter what. It’s free to take it at school! If you ever want to take it again, you’ll have to pay for it–$60. So, just take it here and do your best. If nothing else, it’s like a practice test and you’ll know what to expect if you take it again.
Here are some other things to keep in mind. Get your PE done! Yoga is a great class to take when you have your driver’s license. There are a lot of field trips and both teachers are great!
When making your schedule it can seem daunting with a lot of the core classes you have to take. So, if there is one class you are dreading the most, put it in the first semester. The first semester is one week shorter than the second, so that is one less week! Also, take your humanities class. The most laid-back class is Classical Humanities. So if you just need to get that credit filled, take that one. But Asian Humanities is fun and different, so I would consider that class.
Fill up your schedule. I know it’s tempting to take lots of off periods but don’t. You will be glad for it next year. It’s fine to take one or two offs but leave your senior year open!
Juniors
You got your hardest schedule out of the way. Now it’s on to your easiest schedule. First, and most important, make sure all your credits will be completed by the end of the year. You really do want to graduate.
This year you have a lot of options to either fill your schedule with new random classes or get lots of off periods. I would suggest you do a bit of both. Taking only one class–while seems great–can disconnect you from the school and the people in it. If you are fine with that, take the off periods, but if you still want to feel the high school experience I recommend that you have two 2nd and 3rd periods for the year.
One thing that is fun to experiment with is front-range classes. If you’re looking for a particular class and Rocky does not offer it, see if Front Range does. It doesn’t have to be a core class, you can take a Photoshop class or sign language class if you’re interested in it. Through Rocky, you can take that class for free! It’s a great way to utilize Rocky’s resources and looks great on transcripts. These classes are also not every day, so you can start getting used to the college schedule.
Work Based Learning is a great way to get credits and money. Through that class, you get credits for a job. A job your senior year is a really smart decision. Start saving and getting money for your freshman year of college and get high school credits for it.
You will also have the opportunity to graduate early. This means your last classes at high school can last only a semester instead of the whole year, sometimes you can even graduate a whole year early–but that takes a lot of planning your junior year. This is all personal preference. No matter what you choose you can still participate in Prom, walk the stage at graduation in May, and do other senior-year things, you just wouldn’t have to go to class.
Everyone I have talked to is glad they graduated early because they can work more and be at home more. The only downside is that your friends may still be in school and not available to hang out and you will feel disconnected from the school community.
I know it can be stressful to pick what classes to choose in your upcoming years, so I hope you can remember these pieces of advice and that they will be useful to you!
