It’s only the start of the second semester, and the task of choosing academic classes for the upcoming year is mostly underway. This process can be daunting. So much of school revolves around the classes one chooses to take, either to fulfill requirements or interests.

I know that I prefer the classes that I chose to take because they related to something that I was interested in, such as Journalism, but there is a balance that must be reached.

Class selection is dependent on a variety of conditions. Students must meet certain graduation requirements, try to challenge themselves and also attempt to squeeze in classes that align with their personal interests. Especially in such a competitive schoolwide and nationwide academic climate, students can feel pressured to choose the AP class over the Honors and College Prep option, even if they don’t necessarily want to take it.

Going into my junior year, I definitely opted to take all the AP classes that could fit into my schedule. Do I regret this decision? Not necessarily, but I do feel the repercussions. The solution? Balance.

It is good to challenge yourself academically, but overwhelming yourself with unmanageable courses will only add unnecessary stress. Finding a niche, such as Choir, Ceramics, or Journalism, can be a great release during the school day, and can give you something to look forward to.

Likewise, taking challenging courses in classes that you’re not interested in might not be the best decision. If you’re not passionate or interested in learning a subject, it can be difficult to motivate yourself to complete all the necessary homework and study the material for exams. Saving those AP courses for subjects that you enjoy could be better for both your GPA and your mental health.

Class selection can be overwhelming, but taking a deep breath and reminding yourself of the courses that you want to take and also the courses that you need to fulfill graduation requirements can help ease some of that stress. It’s okay to take a class solely because you find it interesting.

It may make your school day more enjoyable, and you could get more out of that class because you’re truly invested in the material being learned.