How to Choose the Right Subjects at School

Last Updated: November 21, 2022 References Approved

Choosing subjects well is very important to your success at school, and even your success in your future career. Nervous you won't make the right choices? Never fear! Follow the tips and tricks in this article to kickstart your life right.

Steps

1
Take a moment to look at your future goals. If you don't have any, decide what they will be. Don't just do a course because your friends are, or your brother is. You are your own individual.^{[1]
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Research source}
- What career do you want to pursue? It's a good idea to take classes that are relevant to the job you hope to have in the future. For example, if you want to be a doctor, biology, science, and math are courses you might want to take. Especially if you are in high school or college, your career choice is a huge deciding factor.
- Think about what you want to have on your resume. Are there any "extra" classes that maybe aren't relevant to your career choice, but are subjects you are particularly interested in or teach you a valuable life skill? Things like band, art, or a language fall into this category. These things are good to put on your resume in the future because it makes you stand out more when applying for jobs.
2
Choose subjects you enjoy. These classes make your life less stressful, but they may be recommended subjects that you need to fulfill for your education goals.^{[2]
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Expert Source

Ted Coopersmith, MBA
Academic Tutor
Expert Interview. 10 July 2020.}
- When you enjoy subjects, you will often listen more, work harder, and overall do better. All subjects are worthwhile, and even if a few subjects you choose aren't all that relevant to the future you want to have, that doesn't really matter. What matters most is that you enjoy what you are learning and are following a career path you are excited about.^{[3]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Jennifer Kaifesh
  Founder, Great Expectations College Prep
  Expert Interview. 8 November 2019.} Motivation plays a key role in your success as a student.
- Start exploring your interests at a young age and don't be afraid to try new things.^{[4]
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  Expert Source
  
  Jennifer Kaifesh
  Founder, Great Expectations College Prep
  Expert Interview. 8 November 2019.}
- There are countless fields and career paths you may not know as a high schooler, so don't be concerned if you are not passionate about one of your five core subjects.^{[5]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Jennifer Kaifesh
  Founder, Great Expectations College Prep
  Expert Interview. 8 November 2019.}
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3
Choose subjects that offer a (reasonable) challenge.
- If subjects are too easy for you, you will easily get bored and will lack motivation. If they are too hard, you will get frustrated and likely not understand the material well enough to succeed. Take classes that offer you a challenge you are willing to take.^{[6]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Ted Coopersmith, MBA
  Academic Tutor
  Expert Interview. 10 July 2020.}
- Look at how well you've done in past classes to help determine what level you are at. If you were struggling at math last year, for example, you probably shouldn't be taking the advanced math course. If you were excelling in math, however, the advanced math course may be a good choice. Biting off more than you can chew or taking the easy road does not make you look cool; be honest with yourself when judging your abilities and picking classes.
4
Choose classes that you are required to take.^{[7]
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- Don't get too excited picking subjects that you forget the ones that are required for you to take! Pick out your required subjects first so that you know how many other choices you can still make.
5
Make a list of all the subjects you want to do, and narrow it down.
- If you need to choose, say, five subjects, make sure you include a couple backups on your list. You probably won't be able to take every class you really want to take; accept that before you start.
- If you end up with way more subjects on your list than you are allowed to take, cut the ones you would least enjoy, or any subjects that have overlapping topics. Keep narrowing it down until you have enough classes, plus 1-3 backups.
- Avoid loading too many science or math courses at the same time since they can be more difficult.^{[8]
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  Expert Source
  
  Ted Coopersmith, MBA
  Academic Tutor
  Expert Interview. 10 July 2020.}
6
Consult your parents.^{[9]
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- You get the final say, but you should make sure your parents approve of your selected classes and career path. If they question any of the classes you'd like to take, calmly discuss the matter. Screaming and yelling at each other won't help you keep your classes.
- Your parents can help point out any classes they think you'd like or that they think you should take. Remember that you get the final say, but you should seriously consider different possibilities. Who knows? Maybe a class you thought looked lame could turn out to be fun!

Expert Q&A

Question

How do you get your class ranks up?

Jennifer Kaifesh
Founder, Great Expectations College Prep
Jennifer Kaifesh is the Founder of Great Expectations College Prep, a tutoring and counseling service based in Southern California. Jennifer has over 15 years of experience managing and facilitating academic tutoring and standardized test prep as it relates to the college application process. She takes a personal approach to her tutoring, and focuses on working with students to find their specific mix of pursuits that they both enjoy and excel at. She is a graduate of Northwestern University.

Jennifer Kaifesh

Founder, Great Expectations College Prep

Expert Answer

It depends entirely on the way your school ranks. Some schools rank students based on weighted GPAs, whereas others rely solely on unweighted GPAs. Grades are the most crucial for ranking. Try to get more A's. But for a weighted GPA, you should take as many weighted courses (for instance, AP exams and, at some schools, honors courses) as possible.
Question

How can I improve my grades in high school?

Jennifer Kaifesh
Founder, Great Expectations College Prep
Jennifer Kaifesh is the Founder of Great Expectations College Prep, a tutoring and counseling service based in Southern California. Jennifer has over 15 years of experience managing and facilitating academic tutoring and standardized test prep as it relates to the college application process. She takes a personal approach to her tutoring, and focuses on working with students to find their specific mix of pursuits that they both enjoy and excel at. She is a graduate of Northwestern University.

Jennifer Kaifesh

Founder, Great Expectations College Prep

Expert Answer

Talk to your teachers to better understand why your grades do not reflect your knowledge and effort. Are you studying terms solely to memorize them when your teacher expects you to know how to apply them? Is your teacher basing exam questions more on the textbook than in-class lectures or vice versa? Also, be sure that you are not leaving easy points on the table by failing to turn in assignments (or turning them in late). Class participation is another category that many teachers consider when calculating a final grade. Convince your teachers that you sincerely want to understand the material. Teachers are more likely to round up and offer extra credit to sincere students.
Question

How can I plan to make my future successful?

Jennifer Kaifesh
Founder, Great Expectations College Prep
Jennifer Kaifesh is the Founder of Great Expectations College Prep, a tutoring and counseling service based in Southern California. Jennifer has over 15 years of experience managing and facilitating academic tutoring and standardized test prep as it relates to the college application process. She takes a personal approach to her tutoring, and focuses on working with students to find their specific mix of pursuits that they both enjoy and excel at. She is a graduate of Northwestern University.

Jennifer Kaifesh

Founder, Great Expectations College Prep

Expert Answer

There are many definitions of success, but finding the intersection of what you love and are good at can often lead to a financially secure, fulfilling life. Start exploring your interests at a young age. Do not be afraid to try new things. There are countless fields and career paths you may not be familiar with as a high schooler, so don't be concerned if you are not passionate about one of your five core subjects. Be willing to join new clubs, try summer programs, and find internships in different fields until you find your path.