As February rolls around, counselors and students alike prepare for class selections for the coming year and while nearly everyone takes the same core classes the difference comes when picking electives.
One of the lesser known electives offered at Briar Woods is Public Speaking. It is estimated that 70% of jobs require public speaking in some aspect (Lumen); however, nearly as many, 75% of people, report having a fear of public speaking (ABA). Taking a course such as Public Speaking in school can give students the skills needed to not only overcome their fears but also be more prepared for a future career. This course can also introduce students to public speaking reliant clubs such as Model United Nations or Speech and Debate as an added bonus.
As students enter high school many question what they plan on doing after graduation. Casey Wales, the college and career specialist at Briar Woods High School, states “Career exploration and college exploration is very important at this age and electives are a big part of that.”
Another new course here at Briar Woods is Project Management, which gives students a head start in a possibly competitive field. In this course students learn everything from leading and working in a group setting to distributing resources. For students interested in sports medicine the NASM, National Academy of Sports, Certified Personal Trainer course allows students to earn certifications in high school that will allow them to get a head start or even jump right into the sports medicine industry post-graduation.
Other than being beneficial for future career and college endeavors, electives can give students a break from their often grueling core classes, helping them discover new hobbies. Maryam Sheikh, a sophomore at Briar Woods High School, describes her experience taking guitar “I just wanted to play guitar because I heard that you can play Beatles songs on the guitar…but then I joined guitar class and then got really interested.”
In the English sector, Briar Woods boasts a wide range of courses fitting for everything from readers, journalists, to even writers. For students interested in writing and honing their skills, courses like Creative Writing offer the space needed for students to improve their writing while partaking in something they enjoy. Journalism gives students a unique experience to write and publish articles on nearly any topic in the school’s student-led newspaper “The Falcon Flyer.” Similarly, Yearbook allows students to capture the school year then design and create the school’s yearbook. For readers, Young Adult Literature is a course purely dedicated to the reading, discussion, and analysis of YA literature.
As summarized by Casey Wales, “[Taking Electives] is a chance to learn something different, to try something new, and maybe fall in love with a subject you never thought you’d like”
