Tips for Choosing Electives

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In order for students to truly be career and college-ready, they need to develop the 21st century skills and personal interests beyond the core graduation requirements. Taking electives can give students the chance to explore new subjects, foster creativity, and pursue new and exciting interests. To get the most out of elective offerings, here are some tips on how to choose electives:

So your student wants to be a news anchor? Introduce her to Media Studies.

1. Follow your interests: If you aspire to be a news anchor one day, ask your guidance counselor if your school offers a Media Studies coures. If you’re a health enthusiast, try enrolling in Personal Fitness. When students are empowered to choose which classes they take, they succeed because they are more likely to pay attention and absorb course material.
2. Try a brand new activity, open new doors: Learning something entirely new can be exciting and open up doors. This can also introduce you to students that are outside of your normal social circle. Enrolling in an elective that is unfamiliar, subject-wise, is a great idea for students who want to break out of their shells, meet new people, and learn new skills.
3. Manage your time efficiently: For many students, a schedule full of core courses can be overwhelming and stressful if you also want to participate in after-school activities. If you are already participating in a band, for example, reduce stress by choosing an elective that will complement your schedule, like Music Appreciation, which will be less stressful when it comes time to studying. Another option is online electives that help students complete elective coursework anytime, anywhere.

Electives can broaden horizons and introduce students to a world beyond their normal coursework. A student who takes a Health and Medicine offering might become inspired to pursue a career as a life-saving physician. An Art History course could lead a student on the pathway to becoming a museum curator. The possibilities are endless when light is shed on personal interests and educators can speak to their students’ personal strengths.

Educators: Which electives would you like to see added to our online elective course offering? We want to know! Leave your ideas in the comment section.

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