Megan and Erin discussed how to build a rigorous but manageable high school schedule that balances academic rigor with student well-being.

College Course Planning Strategy

Megan and Erin discussed building a rigorous but manageable school schedule, emphasizing that colleges evaluate both grades and course difficulty when reviewing applications. They highlighted the importance of balancing strong grades with challenging classes, noting that simply achieving high grades in easy courses doesn't guarantee college admission. The conversation focused on addressing common misconceptions about course selection and academic planning for college preparation.

High School Course Structure Planning

Megan outlined the ideal high school course structure, which includes English, Math, History, Science, and Foreign Language as core subjects, with students taking at least one rigorous course per year. She advised students to evaluate their ability to handle higher-level classes like honors, IB, AP, or accelerated courses rather than focusing solely on personal preference. Megan emphasized the importance of forward-thinking and considering academic challenges when making course selection decisions.

Academic Course Level Discussion

Megan shared an anecdote about a student who struggled in advanced pre-calculus due to emotional attachment to being labeled as a "smart kid," rather than accepting that the class was too challenging. Megan explained that colleges typically prefer seeing students succeed in regular-level courses rather than fail repeatedly in honors classes. She advised that it's okay to excel in some subjects while struggling in others, and suggested that stepping up to more challenging courses is often easier than stepping down, contrary to parents' concerns about starting with easier courses.

Course Selection Strategy Advice

Megan advised Erin to choose more challenging courses when in doubt, emphasizing that it's easier to reduce rigor later if needed. She recommended filling core course requirements first, then considering other mandatory credits like arts or theology requirements. Megan noted that students often make the mistake of trying to create a college-like course schedule rather than focusing on the basic requirements first.

High School Specialization Challenges

Megan and Erin discussed the challenges of specializing in high school subjects, noting that most high school requirements focus on core academic courses, leaving limited room for specialization. They emphasized that colleges expect a broad liberal arts education rather than early specialization. The conversation then shifted to the importance of balancing academics with other commitments, including extracurricular activities, and the need to assess the feasibility of a proposed schedule before making requests to the school.

Academic-Extracurricular Balance Discussion

Megan and Erin discussed the balance between academic and extracurricular commitments, emphasizing that it should be a family decision tailored to each student's individual circumstances. Megan highlighted that while some students can successfully manage heavy loads of AP courses, sports, and extracurricular activities, others may become overly stressed, affecting their performance across all areas. They agreed that parents know their children best and should consider their child's well-being and ability to manage multiple demanding activities when making decisions about course load and involvement in extracurriculars.

College Preparation Mistake Discussion

Megan and Erin discussed common student mistakes regarding college preparation and course selection. They highlighted how students sometimes prioritize sports over academic preparation, even when the sport will end soon, and how others choose courses based on perceived college requirements rather than personal interests or career goals. The conversation focused on the importance of aligning course choices with students' actual interests and future plans rather than following unverified rumors about college admissions preferences.

Course Scheduling for College Applications

Megan advised Erin to align her course schedule with her college application goals, emphasizing that taking advanced classes like AP courses is crucial for applying to highly selective academic institutions. Megan explained that students cannot expect to be competitive for certain colleges while choosing easier courses and maintaining off periods. She recommended prioritizing core academic courses and required credits like PE and arts, suggesting that once these are scheduled, the remaining course choices become more manageable.