Hi CC,
I’m a rising freshman and I had to make a schedule for the year. I want to take art class as I have this year, (I am taking High School Art 1) but I don’t know whether I should take Art 2. My classes are going to be a lot harder, I’m sure, come freshman year. This year, I had assignments from art, which took a lot of time, and I don’t know whether I will have that time next year. At times, the assignments have been stressful, and I don’t know if I can afford to use so much of my energy on such Art assignments.
On the other hand, I love art and I feel like I’ve improved a lot as an artist. If I continue to improve in the next few years of highschool, I may be able to enter contests and things like that.
Some people have agreed that I should take art, but others say that if art isn’t something that relates to my future career (it doesn’t), I shouldn’t waste my time on it.
I don’t know what to do! I only have a few days to change my schedule, please help…
Stupid and useless?!? Beyond the fact that it’s worthwhile to gain an understanding of a field (and that can be useful in your future career—you’re going to have to have conversations with people about subjects other than work, after all), what’s so wrong with taking the time to improve in something you enjoy?
If you enjoy it, keep it. High school is the time to do fun things “just because.” Besides, you’re going to be a high school SOPHOMORE. You don’t need to worry about a career path any time soon
1° some colleges will appreciate it, some will require it (all public universities in California)
2° choosing Art as an elective can lead to all kinds of interesting electives, such as 3D design, animation, etc.
3° high school (and, to some extent, college), is not “work preparation”, unless you’re in a vocational high school and plan to be a hair stylist or a mechanic. Choosing classes has NOTHING to do with a job you may or may not have (and may or may not exist) 10 years from now.
4° you like it, you’re rather good at it. Take it.
5° if you start shying away from classes that you think might have a lot of homework… high school’s going to be one scary ride and college probably isn’t on your horizon :d Yes high school is more work than middle school, but millions of high school students make it through freshman year without losing sleep. You’ll be fine.
Take Art! Life is all about balance, and high school is definitely a part of that balance! My daughter has taken extremely rigorous classes throughout all four years of high school, and she has also made time in each year’s schedule for some kind of Art class. She said she needed that creative outlet to allow a different part of her brain to flourish. It’s brought her much joy. Having a fine/performing Art credit on your transcript does indeed help round it when adcoms are checking, but the primary concern should always be “Does it make YOU happy?”
@logicisfun Oh, yikes, pressure and panic are no good. Your sophomore schedule will no doubt be more time-consuming. If you leave out Art, will you still have a creative outlet? I have noticed with my children it is tremendously helpful for them to have one class where they can unplug a bit. Are all of the Art classes available to you very time-consuming?
If you’re taking AP Art History and you love art, take it! Just keep in mind that Art 1 will be a mixed class and not everyone will value their education as much as you. And if you’re anything like most people on CC, that might frustrate you.
@HeliMom74 I think I may have worded my post the wrong way-- sorry about that! I’m going to be a freshman next year, and I don’t know whether the Art classes in high-school will be as time-consuming. However, I am taking what is considered an Art 1 High school class this year, and we do a lot of long term assignments outside of school. I am worried this will happen next year when my schedule is packed and I am even busier with my school work.
Are there high school students in your class? Can you ask them about their workload outside of art? Can you seek out current art2 student at the high school and ask for quite a few opinions from people the students in your current class consider trustworthy (ie., neither the art prodigy nor the slacker, reliable with information, etc…)
