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Is it better to take a full schedule senior year? Or is it okay to take a lighter load, since it is your last year in high school?

I am currently making my schedule and need some advice.
#senioritis #senioryear

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Subject: Career question for you

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James Constantine’s Answer

Dear Anna,

Embracing a full schedule in your senior year of high school comes highly recommended. Although the temptation to ease up in your final year is understandable, especially with the advent of "senioritis," opting for a full schedule carries numerous advantages:

Preparation for College: Your senior year is a pivotal time for gearing up for college. College admissions officers often scrutinize your senior year curriculum to gauge your readiness for tertiary education. A full schedule demonstrates your willingness to push your academic boundaries and readiness to tackle the demands of college coursework.

Sustaining Academic Momentum: A full schedule allows you to sustain the academic momentum you've built up throughout high school. It helps keep you engaged and focused on your studies, ensuring you finish on a high note and graduate with a robust academic record.

Exploring Interests: Your senior year also presents an excellent opportunity to explore new subjects or delve deeper into areas of interest before transitioning to college. A full schedule offers the chance to take a range of courses and potentially uncover new passions or strengths that can steer your future academic and career paths.

Skill Development: The courses you opt for in your senior year can assist in honing vital skills such as critical thinking, time management, and problem-solving, which are key to success in college and beyond.

College Credits: Some high schools provide advanced placement (AP) or dual enrollment courses that can earn you college credits. Opting for a full schedule with these advanced courses can provide a head start in college and potentially save you both time and money in the long run.

While it's crucial to push your academic boundaries, it's equally important to strike a balance that allows you to effectively manage your workload and avoid burnout. Consider elements such as extracurricular activities, part-time jobs, and personal commitments when deciding on your course load for senior year.

In the end, the choice to take a full schedule or a lighter load should hinge on your individual goals, interests, and abilities. It might be beneficial to seek advice from your school counselor or teachers for personalized guidance based on your academic profile and future plans.

Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used:

The College Board: The College Board offers valuable insights into college admissions requirements, including the significance of senior-year course selection in the admissions process.

National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC): NACAC provides guidance on college preparation, including advice for course selection during senior year.

American Psychological Association (APA): The APA offers insights into managing academic stress and strategies for maintaining mental well-being while navigating challenging coursework during senior year.

These sources were referenced to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information provided regarding the significance of course selection during your senior year of high school.

God Bless You,
JC.
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Angelo’s Answer

In my experience, I took a some-what lighter load in my senior year of high school because I figured that I would take it easy before getting to college. Seemed like a good idea at the time but something that I learned is that getting in that "easy going" mind set right before college did not prepare me for the amount of work it took to keep up with the curriculum at that level. Of course, it would be easier to take a lighter load your last year in high school but know that by doing this and jumping into higher education will be a bit of a wake up call.

Angelo recommends the following next steps:

Go hard
Be strong
You got this
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Roger’s Answer

I took a lighter load in high school. And, at night (while still in high school) I took a couple of Community College classes that transferred as a general education credits to a 4 year college.

So, how about taking the lighter load in high school... and getting a jump on college by taking community college night classes.
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