<p>Since scheduling for next year's classes is right around the corner for my school, and I'm assuming it's the same for other schools, I thought I would post this. A couple weeks ago an 8th grader asked me for advice on scheduling, and I decided to take some effort and write something that had all of the tips I could think of in one place. I thought it would be a good idea to post it here, just in case anyone wants to read it. It's kind of long, so I apologize in advance for the length. Also, it's targeted towards the 8th grader I wrote it for so some of it might be very obvious. Please comment on your scheduling tips! Anything is welcome! Let's see how big of a list we can get of scheduling tips!</p>
<p>Does your school have a curriculum guide? Use that if they do. Also, it depends on what you want to do in life (so you can pick your electives). Pick electives based on what you want to be when you grow up, your interests, and what you just love to do. Look up your school's graduation requirements. Do you know how many classes you can take per semester? Make a four year plan. If you're really academic and want to get in to a good college, take lots of academic classes now and save the electives for college when they're really good, unless there's like one class that sticks out to you. Depending on if your school offers this or not, you could even graduate a year early like I'm planning on doing. But, if you are going to do that, make sure you're not doing it by taking a couple stupid electives and moving on from high school. Do it if you're taking hard classes, are ahead in your academics, and have almost taken every challenging academic class your school offers. Talk to people who are in your high school. Some classes may sound extremely awesome on paper but the kids who have taken it or just attend the high school will know if it's actually pretty pointless and not worth it. For example, my school offers a HUGE amount of electives that all sound amazing but in reality there's almost not a single one that is worth it. </p>
<p>For math, this is generally the order kids take classes (this will be more than 4 classes because you might double up instead of taking electives, and you might be ahead and have already taken these classes.) Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2 (some students who aren't very smart will take trigonometry before, alongside, or instead of this class), Pre-Calculus, Calculus (some schools offer AP), and Probability and Statistics (somewhere throughout high school, and some schools may offer AP Statistics). This is what I did (and am doing) for math, pre-ap is a little higher than honors at our school by the way, and our school offered us high school credit for Algebra 1 in 8th grade so that's why that's listed: 8th grade- Algebra 1 Pre-AP, 9th grade- Geometry Pre-AP and Algebra 2 Pre-AP (Trigonometry is included in this class), 10th grade- Pre-Calculus Pre-AP, 11th grade- either AP Calculus BC (which is Calculus 1 and 2 at a college level) or Calculus and Analytic Geometry at a university close to my school. There's nothing for 12th grade because I'm graduating a year early.</p>
<p>For English, generally the schools have a "set" list of classes you take. For example, at my school it's English 9, English 10, English 11, and seniors have a small choice but it's generally AP English Literature and Composition, English 12, or Senior Composition. I'm doing this: 9th grade- English 9 Honors, 10th grade- English 10 Honors, 11th grade- English 11 Honors and either an English elective or an English class at a university near us. The reason I'm doubling up in 11th grade is because we need 4 English classes to graduate and I'm graduating early. Generally, you shouldn't double up in English unless you're really interested in writing, or something like mythology. </p>
<p>For science, it completely depends on if you're really stupid (I'm assuming your smart or at least average because you're thinking about scheduling and asking for ideas, so you care about your high school career.) I'm going to do the general courses for average to smart kids: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and either nothing or some AP class. Once again, people don't generally take elective science classes. I'm doing this: 9th grade- Biology Honors, 10th grade- Chemistry Honors and Physics Honors, 11th grade- AP Chemistry and AP Physics.</p>
<p>For social studies it depends on your school requirements. Generally they have certain classes you have to take. Also, for the people not so good at history most schools offer an alternative of psychology and sociology. Here's what I'm doing: 9th grade- US Studies Honors, 10th grade- World History Honors, 11th grade- Psychology and Sociology, summer- Government and Economics</p>
<p>I would suggest one class of English, Math, Science, and Social Studies (although Social Studies you could generally pass with 3) for a total of 4+ in each class. Check to make sure you meet your school's requirements, and once again judge by your academic level. Don't push yourself too hard because it will be reflected in your grades. But, don't underestimate yourself because you can do a lot more than you think. Once again, check to make sure with others that have taken these classes for ideas on which to take. Also, does your school have an honors diploma available? If it does, you will need to meet different graduation requirements.</p>
<p>Other options for high school classes may be (depending on what your school allows): post-secondary, vocational classes, online classes, and summer classes (i'm talking about the ones that get you ahead, not the ones for people that failed). </p>
<p>Now for the electives! Although my school offers a HUGE amount of electives, none of them are worth it. But, I'm still considering taking Cisco 1 and 2 because of my love for computers and I might possibly actually learn something from it.. but it depends if I can fit it in my schedule. I also love music, so I'm taking choir. You should take one music class each year, generally band or choir. If you do band, take in mind that you may be forced to do marching band which can be very gruesome... I'm taking choir. Also, some schools offer honors band and choir classes, so keep those in mind. You should also take at least a total of 3 language classes (in the same language, it's not a good idea to switch languages in high school) but one each year is better, especially if you're planning on taking that language in college (or possibly any language, but it's not as important then). I took French 1 in 8th grade, French 2 in 9th grade, French 3 will be in 10th grade, and I may or may not take French 4 in 11th grade. I'm either going to end up with French or Arabic as a language in college, so that will effect some of my choices. I would suggest to either take French or Spanish in high school. Don't take a language you already know because you're only hurting yourself by stopping yourself from learning a whole new language. Keep in mind that if you don't practice the language a lot and really try to implement it in your life you'll never become fluent and learn anything no matter how good a teacher may be. If you want to take a language other than Spanish, like French, and learn Spanish on your own, google Spanish Hour. I'm using it to learn Spanish and it is AMAZING, better than any other website that's meant to teach you a language that I've ever used. It's also better than learning it at school. (I took a semester of it in 7th grade because we were required to pick 2 languages then.) Try it out before you decide on a language for high school! As of any other electives, maybe one or two depending on your interests and how good it is at your school, but generally you should focus on academics and double up on some subjects in high school and then take electives in college because that's when the elective really are good.</p>
<p>As of summer gym, I didn't think it was worth it either so I'm taking it online. I know, I know, how can I take gym online? I always get that question. It's really easy actually. You read a couple of lessons on things like flexibility, strength training, cardiovascular training, take a quiz (one that's graded and one that's not), create an exercise program and follow it, and then take a final. It sounds a lot harder than it really is. I use BYU. It's an online school/university. I also took health in the summer which was UNBELIEVABLE fun!!! I haven't stopped talking about it and I wish I could take it again. Depending on your school, I would DEFINETLY reccommend it (once again it may not be fun at your school) but it was really easy too at my school. Check if your school offers it; it should be a lot easier and faster than taking it during the school year. But back to gym, if your school doesn't offer it online I would take it in the summer just to get it over with. Taking it during the school year is a waste of a class and you will regret it later because you could've taken a better class during that same time that you may not be able to take because of your schedule and academic requirements.</p>
<p>This is by far the most extensive answer I've ever posted on Yahoo Answers because you were so into school which really makes me happy and want to help you because education is the most important thing you can do for yourself and school is the key to that. (An extremely random tip that I feel like pointing out for some reason... If you're going to get your PhD when you grow up get a job with your masters degree and then go back for your PhD because if you try to find a job once you get your PhD you will generally be considered overqualified so you won't be hired because they won't want to pay you since you will need to be payed more, but if you get a job with a masters degree you'll already have work once you get your PhD and they will have to pay you more.) Anyways, since I went through all of this effort, I'm going to give you my email so you can ask my any other questions you have. I might as well put my effort to good use. <a href="mailto:webkinzfan@sbcglobal.net">webkinzfan@sbcglobal.net</a> is the address, the name is kind of embarassing but I made it in 2nd grade, so that's why it's about webkinz. Just make sure to tell me that you're the 8th grader who wants scheduling advice so I know who you are.</p>
<p>By the way, about extra currciculars (since you were asking about volleyball), just join clubs that interest you and relate to what you want to major in, NOT because they will look good on a college resume. Ivy leagues and any other universities will know that you did it just for the resume. Also, extracurriculars can be things outside of school like private lessons, independent study, community service (do LOTS of it!!) and things like that. You could get a job or even an internship in something you want to major in or love doing. For community service, try to create a slightly larger project then, for example, going to a nursing home. Do something beyond your community, like for a greater cause. Or start a project by yourself. Trust me, it will be a GREAT experience that you WON'T regret as long as you love what you decided to do and are truly dedicated and excited about it.</p>
<p>I really hope I helped because I spent a lot of time on this. By the way, I'm NOT responsible for anything you decide to do and regret or don't like or any ideas you get from this.. this is just a HUGE list of my opinions and suggestions but it all depends on the kind of person you are and how smart you are, and also what you want to do in life.</p>
<p>Good luck in high school!</p>