A roadmap for course registration

2–3 minutes

Counselors provide suggestions for upcoming course selections

Staff Writer

As course registration season begins at AHS, students are navigating the process of crafting a schedule for the next school year. With such a wide array of courses to choose from and many factors to consider—including graduation requirements, personal interests, and college readiness—the process can often be overwhelming for students.

What matters most when creating a schedule depends on the student and is not something that can easily be turned into a single equation. “According to my counselor, the most important thing is to find a balance that works for students,” said Anirudh Ashok (10). “They encourage students to challenge themselves in terms of course selection, but [suggest] they also need to be realistic about their workload. In terms of school coursework, quality without quantity is more important than just quantity.”

Another important factor to consider is the alignment of course selections and long-term goals. Ms. Sorensen, a counselor at AHS, said, “For students going for colleges, checking out those prerequisites is important for college admission. However, high school isn’t all about checking off boxes and working hard; students should take classes that excite them or help them pursue their own interests and passions. Plus, taking courses that interest students increases the likelihood of success.”

In addition to student interest, managing stress levels is another crucial consideration when it comes to course selections. “Taking too many AP courses will inevitably lead to burnout,” Ms. Sorensen said. “Most students believe that overloading their schedule with AP classes and Honors courses are necessary, but rigor should come with balance—and sleep. Furthermore, no student should feel like a failure for not getting straight “A’s,” because no one is perfect and everyone is unique.”

Seeking input from peers is another way to gain insight on course registration. Anthony Zhou

(11) said, “I fell into the trap of taking as many AP’s as possible.” He suggested that students planning on selecting a rigorous course load balance their schedules with courses they find personally enjoyable so they can still effectively manage academic workloads.

Ultimately, course registration is about more than just mindlessly filling out forms. It is a complicated process which can completely alter students’ academic careers. However, with one-on-one advice with counselors provided through bookable meetings, school staff ensure that students can approach the new school year with confidence and a clear path to achieving their academic goals.

“Our whole job is to help students succeed for every step of the process,” said Ms. Sorensen.

Counselors at AHS offer essential advice on course registration, emphasizing the balance of graduation requirements and long term goals. They provide personalized guidance to help students create schedules that align with their aspirations and reduce stress (Photo Credit: Ryan Liu (10)).