How to Choose the Right Elective Courses in College

How to Choose the Right Elective Courses in College Choosing the Right Elective Courses in College In high school, students dont get to choose their classes for the most part. Although there are elective courses, many students choose based on what fits into their schedule or what they need to satisfy college admissions. However, once students arrive at university, they will be able to choose from a plethora of courses that satisfy their elective and general education requirements. This is the chance students have been waiting for; they get actually to choose what they are going to learn about. Thus, its important for students to choose elective classes they’re interested in, and that will help them expand their personal knowledge of either their major or another topic of interest succeed in your college courses with the help of one of our experienced Orange County college tutors. 1.   Think outside the box Students are encouraged to choose an elective course that takes them outside of their comfort zone. Perhaps the student has always wanted to learn how to make pottery or has always been fascinated by astronomy. They may be, say, a business major, but they have an opportunity in their first two years to think outside the box and learn something different. College is an opportunity for students to expand their personal knowledge base and also enjoy developing new skills and making new discoveries. Students who limit themselves to something that only fits into their schedule often find that they are not that engaged in their elective courses. 2. Counterbalance the stress of general ed courses Students are encouraged to think about how they can create a work-life balance when they choose elective courses. For example, if a student is taking two business admin courses and a science lab they may find theyre spending most of the week with their head in a book. It can be beneficial for students to have a creative or athletic outlet during a tough semester. For instance, students could choose their fourth class to be drawing and painting, weightlifting, or yoga. This is a major counterbalance to reading and writing intensive courses that keep stress high and deadlines tight. In fact, students who have a fun elective course often perform better in their general ed and major field of study classes (READ: 5 Reasons to Avoid Cramming For a Test). 3. Explore potential majors Many students dont know specifically what they want to major in their first or second year of college. Elective courses provide an excellent opportunity for students to discover what they might do as a potential career. Some students are pretty sure theyre going to major in a particular topic, but when they take their first course they find that they dont want to spend 30 years focused on that particular subject. Elective units provide students with a valuable opportunity to explore potential careers. 4. Try an internship Another great option is for students to complete a summer internship. This gives students an on-the-job experience to help them understand what their daily life will be like once they graduate from college. Because students are not paid for the majority of internships, its important they receive college credit and stay on track towards graduation as they complete their work training. 5.   Improve social circumstances The majority of college level courses encourage students to work solo or with just one or two other people. However, a great many jobs require people to work as a team and problem-solve together. Thus, its important that students have some social education while in school. Many elective classes contain field trips, group projects, or community involvement as part of the overall curriculum. This is a great opportunity for students to learn how to work as a team and develop career skills. Additionally, students new to college can use their elective classes to study in a more social environment where they can develop long-lasting friendships that help improve the overall university experience. Dont fall behind in your college courses. Stay ahead and succeed with the help of our private Orange County college tutors. All blog entries, with the exception of guest bloggers, are written by Tutor Nerds. Are you an education professional? If so, email us at pr@tutornerds.com for guest blogging and collaborations. We want to make this the best free education resource in SoCal, so feel free to suggest what you would like to see us write.