Flaws With The System

          As most students know, we are at that important moment in the school year where we decide our courses for next year. This is a very vital and stressful moment, since the classes you take junior year is what will be seen most by colleges, and is vital for your future (choices/career). The system and process of choosing such important classes, although organized well, has many flaws.

        For a first, students are expected to know what classes they should take early February. Students are barely in the second semester, and have not experienced enough to be able to wisely make such decisions. After all, second semester is when a student is expected to improve and prosper, and therefore reach a better understanding of where they stand in their education rather than in the beginning of second semester. I for one, need more time to determine where I stand in certain subjects, so I can wisely choose these critical courses.

        Expecting students to know what classes they should take early would not be a problem, however, if students were allowed to easily switch classes. Although students have the opportunity to switch classes before summer, no reminders are emphasized to the students, and even so, students tend to be naturally lazy and ignorant, and so they will not tend to switch classes, which should be expected. If students were proposed class options later, not only would fewer errors in class decision would be made, but more more time for the students to discover what they truly want would be given.
         
         Another flaw present with the switching system is how students cannot switch classes once the school year begins. Most students have no clue what the class features, who their teacher is going to be, how will the class work, what is expected from them, etc. By allowing students to experience the class, students now know what the class is like, and can wisely decide whether stay with the class or switch out. I personally know students who had experienced revelations over summer, deciding what they want from their future, but it was too late to switch their classes. Officials expect students to choose classes with no idea what the class is like, but then after experiencing the class, and therefore being able to make a logical decision, students are no longer allowed to switch. If a student feels as though they have been misplaced, or feels like the courses they are taking will not help them reach certain goals, they should be allowed to switch.

        Although today's system reveals many benefits, such as the early articulation allowing students (and staff) time to prepare for the courses, and making sure students aren't making naive decisions, I believe in this case vice outweighs virtue. Even though the school system today has been working efficiently thus far, with a few simple changes or tweaks of today's decent system, both the students' presents, and futures, would benefit.


*NOTE: This is not directed to criticize, discredit, or disapprove the successful campus known as Mira Mesa High School. This blog is simply to display and discuss my opinion on a debatable topic of controversy among students. Thank You.