Highlands High School is starting the new year off with Bluebirds assembling schedules for the upcoming school year.
This process can be complicated and involves difficult decisions. Students can struggle when making a schedule that will benefit their future without it being too overwhelming, choices like deciding between regular and advanced classes.
It starts with teacher recommendations.
This is when educators review their student’s work and progress throughout the year. These factors influence whether or not a student will continue on the normal course track or if they will be able to take advanced classes that include benefits like college credit, higher GPA, and intellectual growth or challenge.
While these benefits sound great, it is important to remember that these classes are difficult and can be immense.
Once the teacher submits their recommendations, students meet with their guidance counselor and review their recommendations and previous grades to create a schedule.
Students share different perspectives on challenging themselves, some emphasizing the importance of stepping out of their comfort zones. Others highlight the value of setting realistic goals and gradually pushing their limits.
“I would tell other students to make sure they don’t overwhelm themselves with too many AP classes,” Lucy Delaney (10) said.
Other students also agree that being aware of limits and understanding personal boundaries can prevent burnout or frustration.
“Don’t make your schedule too easy but also be careful it’s not too difficult,” Zoey Beets (10) said.
One of Highlands’ five guidance counselors, Laura Schnitzler, also stresses the importance of intellectual challenge, encouraging students to take classes that push them.
“We want students to feel challenged but not to the point of breakdown,” Schnitzler said.
Both students expand on the importance of being aware of their personal boundaries and doing research on the classes and their expectations before committing to them.
“When you’re going into a new course make sure you know exactly what is required, you want to know what you’re signing up for,” Delaney said.
Schnitzler then explained the process of creating and finalizing student schedules, which involves student preferences, balancing course requirements, and teacher recommendations.
“We look at all grades and test scores like the pre-ACT, ACT, and any AP exams, all those things play a part in assessing student academic strengths and weaknesses.”
Schnitzler continued to explain that when a student is making their schedule, it can be beneficial to have an idea of what their future profession might be.
“When recommending classes, we account for what students want for their future and their other interests.”
