High school is the most crucial four years of a child’s life. During this time, students learn valuable study habits, soft skills and most importantly, what they want to do with their lives after high school. 

Out of the thousands of students furthering their education at a college or university, almost 50% declare their major as undecided when entering their first year of higher education. This statistic could be significantly lowered if students were encouraged to enroll in courses that interest them. 

When the time of year comes when students are called to the office to plan their course selections for the next year, they always have two lingering thoughts in their mind, “What are my friends taking” and “What classes will keep my GPA the highest?” 

Students should be encouraged by their counselors to take the time to review the classes offered by their school and see if any spark their interest rather than focusing on their GPA.

As an aspiring veterinarian, I wanted to begin taking classes related to animal behavior and science. However, Mount Pisgah did not offer in-person classes related to these topics, so in my junior year of high school, I enrolled in multiple online courses through the University of Edinburgh that qualified me for independent study.

This independent study allowed me to see if I wanted to major in animal science. 

Although choosing classes based on one’s interests can be rigorous and time-consuming, they can also help develop life-long skills, such as learning to work in different environments or with various people.