When you look back at your high-school career, I am positive that you will think of a few classes that were a waste of your time, especially if you already knew what job you wanted in the future or what you wanted to major in when you headed off to college.

Now wouldn’t it be nice not to have to feel that way?

If you really think about it, the point of taking the many classes that are required to graduate doesn’t entirely make sense. One concept we are taught throughout our schooling is to use logic – thinking deeply and thoughtfully. However, not all of our “required” courses meet this standard. Classes that teach skills and concepts that will actually help in life – courses such as health and biology – are important to all people and build on this sense of developing our minds. However, courses such as engineering and world history simply do not serve the same purpose.

Hearing a teacher say, “You better pay attention; you’re going to need this later in your life” is quite frustrating when you know – not think you know – that you know you don’t need it because you have a clear idea of what you will do with your life. Knowing how to find the square root of a number in 10 years seems unnecessary for a student who knows she will not move anywhere into a mathematics field for a future job. The same goes for any subject, really. The point, here, is students should have more of a voice in their course of study.

Ninth and tenth graders are students who may have absolutely no idea what they want to do in the future, so an extensive curriculum makes sense. Underclassmen need to build basic skills and explore some subjects before they have an idea of where they want to head. This is logical.

The issue is, students are required to take classes that don’t interest them, and this is unacceptable after ninth and tenth grade.

Forcing upperclassmen who know what career path they want to follow to take classes that don’t help them excel and become the best they want to be does them a disservice.

Schools require specific classes to give students a solid base, allow some variety and show students what they are capable of achieving. Schools also require students to take classes to open a child’s mind to other areas of study. All of this makes sense. However, by eleventh grade, students should have more. A student who is sure he or she wants to become a lawyer could be taking extra government and English classes to improve those skills, rather than being forced to learn how to mix chemicals in a required course that will do him/her no good in the future.

Schools will have obstacles to go through to achieve this idea. It will take a toll on whom to hire and affect teaching positions, as well as force schools and colleges to get on the same page, but it will be worth it.