As class registration approaches, the simple selection of eight classes on that fancy golden ticket can be one of the most daunting decisions you make in your high school life. There are many factors to account for: How difficult are these classes? Are they fun? Do they matter for my future? The questions go on. But worry not—Eagle’s Eye staff writers Jadon Frank and Bryan Wu are here to offer their two cents on course registration at Enloe!

Please be noted that we are not telling you what specific classes to take. From our eyes, class registration should NOT consist of students signing up for “easy A” courses. Instead, it should be a reflection of the interests they have cultivated throughout their individual high school experiences. Below, we’ll discuss some guiding principles we believe should be fresh in your mind as you register for classes this spring!

Rising Sophomores

What do you actually want to be involved with?

Traditionally at Enloe, sophomore year is when the rigor ramps up. Many rising sophomores increase the number of APs they take, deterring from standard/honors level classes. While it’s good to challenge yourself, it is equally important to take into account what your work-life balance will look like. Choosing which APs to take (or any at all) is one of the hardest things about planning your sophomore year, especially if you don’t know what you are interested in or unsure about your future. 

From us to you: don’t just listen to your peers. When taking other people’s opinions into consideration, make sure to ask for multiple perspectives and take each with a grain of salt. This is about you! No AP class is truly an “easy A.” The difficulty of any class can be subjective to a fault and everyone is different! What’s easy for others can be very difficult for you and vice versa. A great example of this is the Capstone Diploma. While some may preach that AP Seminar is “free” and  “an easy A”, there are just as many that will tell you the exact opposite. When choosing APs for sophomore year, be sure of what you’re getting into, and don’t sacrifice electives you love for a grade boost. Instead, look to balance these concentrations with your personal life. 

Science and STEM APs are difficult for many students at Enloe, but also make their students more skilled and competitive for colleges. While it’s smart to give yourself opportunities through competitive, rigorous courses, it’s important to keep a balance and not burn yourself out. If you desire a shot at a higher GPA, consider that getting a B in an AP class is weighted less than an A in an honors class.

If you took freshman C&C, you’re probably sure of your decision whether or not to take it in sophomore year. If you took stand-alone classes freshman year and are unsure of whether to dip your toes in C&C, though, make sure to understand just what it entails. C&C will be a double period that is a combination of both World History and English II. With this comes large projects, but also stronger camaraderie between teachers and fellow students. Because of these extensive group projects, you’ll be doing more “work” than you would if you were taking stand-alone classes. However, you will also be closer and feel more connected with your classmates and teachers. Sophomores additionally have the option to take AP World History in C&C. If you aren’t a history buff, C&C’s group projects may help you understand better by giving you an alternative way to learn. It can also ease you into the rigor of an AP, which is an important factor to consider.

Rising Juniors

You’re in it for the long haul.

Junior year’s reputation as a soul-sucking academic slog may have you wondering how best to preemptively preserve your sanity. 

At Enloe, you’ll find a large number of juniors taking these 3 seemingly inescapable AP courses: AP US History (APUSH), AP English Language and Composition (AP Lang), and AP Environmental Science (APES). If there’s one thing about Enloe kids, it’s that they’ve always got APs on the mind. We’re here to tell you: don’t pressure yourself to take them all. Instead, choose based on your actual interests—the mental space required for such a class is better used on a subject you care more about. Also, don’t take certain APs just because they are popular—for instance, APES is a ubiquitous yet infamously difficult course at Enloe, and many who aren’t actually interested in environmental science find themselves frustrated taking it. In a subject you struggle with, opting for a less rigorous course usually bodes better for both your GPA and your mental health.

Another increasingly popular opportunity for upperclassmen is dual enrollment. Through the Career and College Promise (CCP) program, eligible high school students can take a selection of community college courses through Wake Technical Community College for free. Dual enrollment offers many advantages, including earning college credits (only for in-state colleges) through online courses, the availability of a summer semester, and the opportunity to take free periods in the morning or afternoon. Many juniors are attracted to CCP because of the prospect of a shortened schedule or a heightened GPA. While valid, make sure you can handle a self-paced workload, and as with everything, remember to prioritize your interests.

The other popular specialized track available to upperclassmen is the International Baccalaureate Program, an academic track that grants an internationally-recognized diploma upon completion, and the best ratings for students applying to college. Through this, students build a schedule consisting mainly of IB courses specializing in language, literature, math, science, social studies, and the arts. Be warned: IB is rigorous, with long-term deadlines on extended research essays and oral exams. However, those who genuinely interest themselves in its content tend to enjoy it.

Overall, don’t overdo it! Junior year, while significant, does not have to be an academic gauntlet.  Consider all your options and possible pathways, and ask yourself: can I balance this workload and stay on pace? Am I interested in these courses, or do I just want a GPA boost? Prioritize your passions over academic weighting!

Rising Seniors

Senioritis: what will you do with yourself?

By the 12th grade, you’ll probably feel like you’ve seen it all, and another entire year of high school might just be too much. But don’t fret! You’re through the worst of it, and you’re in the home stretch now. Have some fun with course registration this time around, because it’s your last chance to do so.

Let’s get something out of the way: senioritis is real. Chances are, especially after the first semester, you’re going to want to be anywhere but school. How do you deal with this? It’s important to have classes that motivate you to actually show up to school. As with every year, focusing on your interests is key. By senior year, you’re likely to have reached higher-level electives that give you more freedom to focus on your work, and in some cases, even a double period devoted to a subject you love. Many rising Enloe seniors who voluntarily take a large amount of arbitrary APs end up frustrated that their senior year is not as laid back or fun as they imagined. Especially as a senior during college application season, it’s vital to build a schedule that gives you the space to handle your other responsibilities.

One advantage of being a senior is the amount of freedom you have in building your schedule. Generally, seniors get the first pick when it comes to signing up for classes, and you won’t be stuck with anything at the “bottom of the barrel.” Especially if you’ve completed most of your required credits, your last golden ticket is a clean slate for building a stress-free schedule.

Senior year is really what you make of it—don’t be afraid to take a break from Enloe’s rigorous academic culture. If you’re done with your credits, don’t stress about taking another science course, history course, or even a math course. Try some dual enrollment courses and take a shorter schedule. You deserve it!

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All in all, Enloe is a place with a vast variety of classes, and we promise that there is a specific place for YOU. We didn’t delve deeply into specific courses because of the sheer amount of them available every year (see the full guide here). We have a great variety of teachers who will support you in your academic journey, so don’t shy away from challenging yourself. As preachers of taking classes that you are actually interested in, if you find yourself despising one of your classes, do not hesitate to advocate for yourself to try and change it! The trouble of switching out of a class at the start of the year is much easier than being stuck in it for an entire school year. We at the Eagle’s Eye wish you the best in your coming course selection adventures. Good luck!