Every New School student knows the feeling: you’re scrolling through the course catalog, hoping to stumble upon the class. The one that actually feels tailored to your interests, passions, and future goals. And while The New School is known for its creativity and interdisciplinary approach, students still can’t help but imagine what could be offered if anything were possible.
We asked New School students one simple question: If you could design your dream class, what would it be?
The answers? Creative, chaotic, deeply practical, and very on-brand. Here are some of the top dream classes New School students say they wish they could take.
Adulting 101: Life Skills They Don’t Teach You
Taxes. Budgeting. Credit scores. Rent negotiations. Health insurance.
Students overwhelmingly agreed: we’re being trained to think critically, but not always to survive financially.
Many said they’d love a class that walks through real-life scenarios step by step, especially for students living independently in NYC for the first time. Think guest speakers, mock budgets, and how to actually read a lease without panicking.
Creative Burnout & How to Survive It
At a school full of artists, designers, writers, and performers, burnout is basically a shared major. Students said they want a class that acknowledges creative exhaustion instead of glorifying it.
This dream course would explore creative blocks, impostor syndrome, productivity culture, and mental health while encouraging sustainable creativity rather than nonstop output.
Networking Without the Cringe
Let’s be real: “networking” is terrifying for lots of students. Many said they wish there were a class focused on building authentic connections without feeling fake or transactional.
Students imagined a course that covers emailing professionals, LinkedIn etiquette, pitching yourself casually, and navigating creative industries, especially for introverts.
Social Media, But Make It Strategic
Sure, we use social media every day, but students want to understand it. From branding and algorithms to content strategy and monetization, many said they’d sign up instantly for a class that breaks down how platforms actually work.
P.S. Bonus points if it includes TikTok analytics, Instagram branding, and how influencers turn posts into paychecks.
Fashion, Music, or Film Through a Cultural Lens
At a school that already thrives on culture and creativity, it’s no surprise students are eager to go even deeper. Many imagined classes that explore pop culture not just as entertainment, but as a reflection of identity, politics, and social change.
Students said they’d love courses that unpack things like:
- Fashion as political expression
- Music scenes and social movements
- Film aesthetics in the digital age
These dream classes would blend theory with real-world relevance, perfect for students who want to analyze the culture they’re already living in.
How to Freelance Without Losing Your Mind
With so many students planning freelance or contract-based careers, this was one of the most requested ideas. Students want to learn how to set rates, find clients, protect their work, and avoid being underpaid or unpaid.
A class like this would feel less theoretical and more like a survival guide for post-grad life.
Why Dream Classes Matter
What these ideas show is just how engaged and imaginative New School students are. They’re constantly thinking about how their education connects to the real world, their creative futures, and the culture around them.
The New School already encourages interdisciplinary thinking, and these dream classes reflect that same spirit. Students love imagining what else could be explored next, and until then, these ideas will live rent-free in our heads (and Notes apps).
If you could design your own dream class at The New School, what would it be? Chances are, someone else is wishing for the same syllabus. 💭📚