Entering college, there are so many options when it comes to picking classes. Your schedule is open and up to you, which means making multiple fake schedules to see which classes you can get and which combinations you could do during registration week. You could take a combination of classes across the academic spectrum from a swim class to a computer coding class for non-majors, there are so many things that you could do. So, as a senior who just picked out their final set of classes before graduation, I have a few pieces of advice when it comes to classes to take.
I know this might come as a shock to you, but I think everyone (and I mean everyone) should take a communication studies class. The amount of problems that could be solved by forcing people to take an intro to communications class is astronomical. Even if you take a class on family communication or nonverbal communication, the amount of issues that could be avoided are worth the money you spend on the class. I wish schools required people to take a communications course rather than a math course because of not only how beneficial it would be to you, but to society as a whole.
Another class that I highly recommend taking is any art class other than art appreciation, though I’m a little biased. I used to major in art in high school, so I believe that art appreciation is common sense because as a human you should be able to recognize patterns and things you like, but maybe that’s just me. I suggest taking a painting class for non-majors, a drawing class, printmaking or any form of self-expression art class. Not only will it be an outlet of expression, but it allows you to relax and spend time doing something that you can visually see being accomplished which can be good for your mental health. I find art to be something that allows for further meaning and expression, which can be fun and calming.
Additionally, it is important that everyone takes either a history class or politics class because knowing how the world works and how it came to be is the key to understanding how you fit into the world. Before taking a college history course and a politics course, I simply thought history was just that documented in a textbook. But now, I acknowledge that every action I take from advocating for a certain policy to sharing something about a current event, contributes to history and how politics work. Without voting, you can’t make a change and even then you need to know the inner workings of the entire system to actually effect change. So, take a class and realize how much impact you have and reflect on the past and how it affects the future.
Lastly, try to take an environmental science course because no matter what, you’re living on Earth. You have one planet to live on, so could you please take care of it and make the corporations that fool you into thinking that it is your fault into actually protecting the planet. I could say “think of your future kids,” but you’ve heard that a million times. Taking an environmental science class allowed me to see what harms the environment and how I could advocate for change. Just this year, a lot of ballots had bills to implement a push for renewable energy to be used to a certain degree by a certain year. You learn about current and past issues, while also taking a lab that is useful and insightful that does not threaten your wellbeing.
These may seem very specific, but these were classes that helped me become the person I am today because knowledge is the key to insight. Knowledge is power and by taking certain classes, you can change how you view things. So don’t just take your major classes and whatever is required. Try to find classes outside your bubble that still fit the requirements so you can learn something new. Either way, good luck when registering for classes and I hope you get the ones you want!