“I just knew,” says senior Andisheh Kabiri, “I wanted to go directly into AP Psychology when I went to the meeting for AP Psychology and heard Mr. Corti talk.”
“I have always known that I am interested in people, the way people work, and people’s behaviors and communication. Last year, I took AP Psychology, which was very exciting because that made me realize that I want to major in psychology,” says Kabiri.
Electives are not only a way to fill up space in a schedule. Sometimes they can help discover a hidden passion. Psychology is just one of the many electives offered at Aragon.
Sophomore Rachel Howard says, “I chose AP Digital Photography because I’m really into photography and I thought it would be a nice break from my schedule.”
Electives are also good ways to fill up space left by one-semester classes. “I chose to take yoga because first semester I took … psychology,” says sophomore Brianna Panozzo. “[For yoga] we go into the dance room with yoga mats and Ms. Beaumont leads us in poses for the whole period.”
Some students choose to take their electives freshman and sophomore year to leave room for the harder classes they plan on taking as upperclassmen. “I’m glad that I chose to [take electives] the first two years because I will be able to focus more energy toward more of these tough classes,” says sophomore Emma Mester.
AP classes can be intimidating and some prefer to clear their time to focus on them. Says freshman Ysra Khayat, “I’ll need less classes so I can finish my AP homework.”
But others take electives while taking these classes to alleviate stress of demanding courses. “The elective that I’m taking now [drama] is something that I’m passionate about and I’m thinking about doing it in real life,” says sophomore Cecily Bochannek. “I feel a ton of stress from school but the elective I am taking is something that I really enjoy doing.”
For most students, electives are a break from the academic pressures of the day. “[Electives] are the least stressful classes. I find that electives usually boost my mood,” says sophomore Sammi Donath.
Sophomore Diana Burdette has taken Ceramics and Nutrition. Burdette plans on taking electives all four years of high school. “[Electives] give me a chance to clear my mind and focus on what I’m doing.”
