Parents and school counselors often encourage students
to take advanced classes in every subject. This might look like good on a transcript,
but how does it make students feel? Are they overwhelmed, or inspired? Be
careful to avoid the first emotion while boosting the second.
I’m a perfect example. In my case, I have loved words
and grammar since I was little. Numbers, however, seem to slip through
the cracks in my mind, especially zeroes. I don’t know why, perhaps it's
cultural. When I grew up, girls were told they were bad in math and good in
storytelling. I guess I fulfilled this prophesy.
In the ninth grade we were told to pick a foreign
language class. I chose French and continued studying it through college. In
the tenth grade I was instructed to select an advanced math class, since I had
completed the required courses already. My reply was, “Can I take another
language instead?” Lucky for me, the answer was yes. I added German to my
schedule and continued studying it happily through college.
I kept adding languages and avoiding courses I did not
enjoy. The result was happiness. I liked my classes, even when they became
complex, and competition from foreign students grew intense. I graduated college
with a degree in German, French and English, and taught them for over 40 years.
If I had been forced to take advanced math instead of the extra languages, what
would have been the result? I’m sure it wouldn’t have been a successful career
teaching languages. There were times where my abilities in multiple languages granted
me the job over someone with fewer language skills.
Apply my example to any student. Take the required
classes in every subject, but push harder in courses you enjoy. Go to summer
school or the local community college to eliminate required subjects of lower
interest. Then, there will be room for more classes in your strength. Not
everyone is into words. Some students love music, math or science.
Whatever the strength, talent or interest, feed it, and watch it grow. Imagine
having a career in something you love. As they say, it won’t feel like work.
Picking the right courses will help students be happier and more successful in secondary school and earn far more scholarship money for college.
You are reading from the blog, RoadtoFreeCollege.com, where we empower families with knowledge to navigate the path to higher education without the burden of excessive loans.
For more information, you’ll want my book, Free College, CLICK HERE. It teaches families how to help their kids become more successful in school, college, and life.
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