Every year, course registration looms over students at New Trier High School, adding to the overwhelming feel of second semester. It can be a lot to manage, with graduation requirements, figuring out a balanced course load, and more. However, the New Trier News is doing what we can to help this year—below you will find a range of thoughtful class recommendations, from electives to APs, and with the expertise of sophomores, juniors, and seniors to ease this tough time.  

Carolina – AP Environmental Science – Junior, Senior

Taking AP Environmental Science was one of the highlights of my junior year. Whether it was watching interesting videos in class, going on fun field trips, or just taking notes, I looked forward to learning and attending class every day. As a student who prefers history and English courses over math and science, I thought this class was perfect for me. Though learning about the nitrogen cycle and biomes is no doubtably science, I preferred how the class was based in memorizing terms as opposed to learning concepts and applying them. I also found this class very educational and helpful practically — it explained the science side of everyday encounters, like why the beaches are always closed after it rains and how to understand the symbols on food labels. As a student who has taken very minimal field trips in my other classes, I loved the hands-on approach this course allowed me to take. From slashing and burning invasive plants in the Somme Woods to electro-fishing in the Skokie Lagoons, I have countless fun memories from this class and the opportunities it provided. 

Margy – AP Great Books – Senior

English has always been my favorite subject. I’ve had a deep love for literature since I was little, writing stories with crayons on construction paper and reading underneath my covers late into the night. As I got older, I started to have less and less time to read. After school was filled with hours of dance rehearsals, club meetings, and piles of homework. Reading slowly became associated with an item on my to-do list, something I dreaded working on as my nights got later. Signing up for AP Great Books as a senior was one of the best decisions I made in high school. The course is composed entirely of literature with engaging, unique discussions every class period. Although there is a significant amount of reading (by the end of the second week of school I had already bought my third book), the course reminded me why I’ve always loved to read. Through analyzing Freud’s interpretation of civilization and Aristotle’s take on friendship, the course has led me through meaningful conversations that haven’t just pushed me to be a more sophisticated reader, but a more intentional human being. 

Allison – Chicago History – Senior

As all of my friends know, I would strongly recommend that anyone interested sign up for Chicago History. It is a very flexible addition to your schedule, especially since it is offered at both level 4 and level 9 as well as being a single semester class. Even if you are not as much of a history nerd as I am, Chicago History is still an interesting deep-dive into the city many of us grew up in. But if you are like me, you’ll find that the class strikes a nice balance of familiar topics and new Chicago-specific information. The curriculum covers a little bit of everything, with units focusing on pre-European Chicago (which was known to many as the “place of wild onion”), foundational events such as the Great Chicago Fire or Haymarket Affair, architecture, industry, immigration, culture, government structures and the machine politics of Mayor Daley, plus so much more. Finally, the class does, of course, get to take a field trip and spend the day in Chicago—who wouldn’t want to take advantage of that? 

Mara – AP Psychology – Junior, Senior

Whether you plan on being a psychology major in college, or something nowhere near the psychology field, this class is compelling, not too much work, and applicable in so many ways. AP Psychology teaches you concepts that you can apply to your own life, from lessons on how to improve your sleeping habits, to relationship attachment styles. There really is a unit for everyone. I’ve personally enjoyed learning about social psychology because I’m most interested in why people act the way they do, but there are also crossovers with biology, such as brain anatomy and memory units if that interests you more. If you are considering a major in or around psychology, this class is definitely a plus: getting a good score on the AP exam can exempt you from taking Psychology 101 in college. While the tests can be difficult at first, once you understand the format of the short response questions, they become quite simple. There are also lots of opportunities for creativity through projects like brain models and informational posters. But most importantly, I would recommend AP Psychology because it has taught me essential lessons and skills that I will continue using, and it’s a lot of fun! I seriously look forward to class and am excited to cover new content every day.

Declan – Astronomy – Junior, Senior

When I was signing up for a science class Junior year, I was conflicted about what to take. None of the options seemed particularly appealing to me. I decided to take Level four astronomy after my physics class did an end-of-semester project with Ms. Cohen’s physics class, where we made a plan to land on the moon. After creating the plan, we presented it to a board of various science teachers and former astronomy students who had graduated. That kind of interactive assignment is what enticed me about astronomy, and got me to join the class. And, so far, it’s been great. Learning about the universe and our solar system has been really interesting, and I find myself excited to see what we are doing each class. It combines all four core sciences (geoscience, chemistry, biology, physics), using the basics from each and applying it to space. I recommend that if you’ve taken physics before taking this class, bump up the level to four as the main difference between level 3 and 4 is the harder physics problems. Overall, the class is a great option for seniors and juniors wanting to take a more cumulative science with really interesting topics.

Luca – Anatomy & Physiology – Junior, Senior 

To Any aspiring nurses or doctors, or any students who want a fun class, I highly recommend taking Anatomy & Physiology. To start off the year, students will begin investigating patients with liver failure, and learn how to diagnose illnesses and prescribe medicine. I love this fun start to the course, as analyzing and diagnosing patients builds confidence while studying real-world scenarios. As you continue throughout the year, students learn the systems of the body, and how each organ interacts with its counterparts. At first, taking a level four science course, especially one composed of future nurses and doctors, intimidated me. However, the welcoming atmosphere of the class mixed with the passion of the teachers that instructed the course helped alleviate the stress of memorizing the heavy amount of terms. If you want a moderately challenging, albeit rewarding course, Anatomy & Physiology is the class to choose for your Junior or Senior year schedule. 

Zoey – AP Government and Politics –  Junior, Senior

Although the name may sound scary, this is one of my most favorite classes I’ve ever taken as a high schooler. In this day and age, I have found political literacy and education seem to be very low. Our government is filled with Boomers and Gen-Xers, most of whom don’t know how to cater to the younger generation and their newer ideological views. The future is up to us, and learning how our government works is the first step. As APs go, I have found it to be not terribly difficult and even found the long readings interesting. Not only have I learned about the American government through fun simulations and riveting conversations with my peers, also how other governments run and work around the world. We watch interesting documentaries, read old political works, and make new friends through the pure ridiculousness that are 1940’s political movies. Since this class also fulfills your Civics requirement to graduate, I could not recommend a more fun AP. 

Isabella – Ceramics 1 – Sophomore, Junior, Senior 

If you’re anything like me, you’re likely picking some really hard-hitting, difficult, pull-your-hair-out type classes next year. That’s why it’s important to find some sort of balance within your schedule by picking a fun elective. For me, last year as a sophomore, I decided to do just that and take Ceramics 1. Even if you’re not very artistic (like me), the class is fun, engaging, and lets you work with a medium that many are not familiar with. In Ceramics 1–which is followed by the more self-guided classes Ceramics 2 and 3–students learn hand sculpting, wheel-throwing, and glazing techniques (including a Japanese technique called “raku” that involves placing a piece straight from the kiln into a container full of newspapers and results in interesting patterns). At the end of the course, students also get to have a self-guided project where they can make anything they want using all of the skills learned throughout the past year. I made a wheel-thrown cup with a removable tea strainer. Another nice thing about this course is that if you’re with a friend like I was, it’s fun to help each other come up with ideas on what to make next or just talk to each other while throwing. So, if you’re looking for a calming elective that lets you try something new as well as take a break from your other courses, I would strongly recommend considering Ceramics. Who knows, you might just discover your next favorite art form.

Lorelei – Marine Biology – Junior, Senior

I’ve just completed my first semester of Marine Biology, and, to say the least, it’s so exciting. Marine Biology is only offered as a Level 9 class, and while that can seem either daunting or boring, trust me, it’s not. During first semester, you do multiple dissections on marine animals such as a sea anemone and a squid—we even used the squid ink to write our names on a piece of paper (with gloves on, of course!) Even the lecture days are not boring, especially if you’re curious about the ocean and all things marine from plankton to crustaceans. Additionally, the in-class notes function like a normal biology class would, and the tests are not too difficult if you use those notes to study. Second semester, you get to earn a PADI Open Water Certification, (or an advanced certification if you’re already open-water certified,) which is a lifelong certification that allows you to independently scuba dive up to 60 feet deep in the water. And if you’re afraid of scuba diving, don’t be! The certification process is very supportive with patient instructors there to help you learn how to scuba dive while you work toward an open water certification. And although I live in Chicago and nowhere near the coast, taking Marine Biology has opened me to a whole new sea world of fun in-class science filled with friends, laughter, and overall happiness. 

Gaia – US History Summer School – Rising Junior

As a sophomore, I felt overwhelmed by the rigorous courses I was on track to take the following year. Weighing the pros and cons of tacking on yet another AP seems to be a common experience amongst Trevians. And while it’s always important to challenge yourself academically, especially during your junior year, taking on too many hard classes can lead to extreme burnout. So, I decided to fill my empty summer with US History level four summer school to avoid taking the dreaded Advanced Placement US History (APUSH) while still getting level four credit. I must admit, the course is a lot of work, especially since you’re assigned a week’s worth of reading per day. That being said, the class itself is centered around discussion and is very project-heavy, which I found refreshing, compared to other history classes I have taken. As I hear my friends go on and on about their never-ending APUSH homework, I’m able to take comfort in the fact that I’ll never have to worry about what started Bacon’s Rebellion ever again. 

Izzy – Theatre 1: Freshman Theatre Workshop – Freshman

I’m not a theatre kid, (which is why I didn’t continue in the music and theatre program past freshman year and decided to go down another elective path) but this course was still really fun for me. You get to improv, play fun games, and even watch some movies! If you’re planning on taking Advanced Journalism (which I would highly recommend!) your sophomore year, for example, but you don’t know how to fill your elective slot freshman year, this is a great option. It’s a great brain break from the rest of your day—you actually get to move around instead of sitting in the same seat for 80 minutes. This is an enjoyable course for anyone — NOT just theatre kids —who wants to improve their confidence, enhance their public speaking skills, and learn about an art form they might not have been exposed to before. 

Bayla – Creative Cuisine – Freshman

This class is the perfect course to unwind and explore the world of cuisine. I took this class freshman year and had the best time. The curriculum starts with learning how to properly wash your hands (trust me, it gets so much better) and over the course of two semesters, you learn how to cook a variety of foods, spanning from proteins to dairy—you learn how to create meals for any occasion. In just an 80 minute class, you can cook up steak tacos or potstickers and still have time to properly clean up. I made so many connections in this class and it’s a great class to meet new people and make friends. I’ll definitely take what I learned and use it throughout my future. Whether it’s making a quick snack, or cooking a meal for five, Creative Cuisine is a great course for anyone who loves to cook, eat, or socialize! 

Isla – Digital Photography – Sophomore, Junior, Senior

As an amateur photographer, taking this class my sophomore year gave me the opportunity to gain more experience with working cameras and learning to use Adobe Photoshop/Lightroom to edit my pictures. There are various sections for students to choose from (Explorations, Storytelling, Art & Technology, Studio/Fashion) that have different assignment prompts. I took Storytelling, which focuses on capturing people and their daily lives by communicating a message through my photos. Once I got over the initial challenge of learning to operate the technology, I really started to enjoy the level of creative freedom that the class allows for. I found that my favorite subject is people, so I got to focus on that in my photos (mostly taken outside of class). I learned about new mediums and formats to display my work—laser cut, UV print, gel transfer, etc. which made the class even more engaging and hands-on. I was able to make new friends and even go on a field trip to Pilsen and Chinatown. If you’re a complete beginner or just someone who enjoys taking photos, this class is a great way to throw yourself in, learn a few things, and meet some new people.

Alexia – Intro to photography – Freshman 

My favorite class I’ve ever taken at New Trier was photography my freshmen year. The course was a mix of darkroom and digital photography, and during the first semester, we learned to develop a photo taken from a film camera. Removing the film from the box, prying open the film canister with a cassette opener, and inserting and winding the film into the camera was difficult to learn at first—especially when it had to be done in a pitch-black light sealed room! We solely relied on our hands to know the exact length we had to cut off the film before loading it and where the film had to go inside of the camera. It was challenging, but I loved it because I’d never done anything like that before. Then, after learning to take photos on a film camera and develop them, we learned digital photography. The digital aspect was explored by using the computer lab to learn Lightroom and Photoshop to enhance our photos. So if you’re interested in photography or just looking to learn something new, photography is the perfect course. 

Gabby – Civics Summer School – Rising Sophomore, Junior, Senior

Since Civics is a graduation requirement here at New Trier, this is the perfect opportunity to get the credit out of the way by taking Civics over summer. It can be hard to fit Civics into your schedule when there are so many other interesting classes to take during the school year. This easy class is made even easier over the summer. While some may fear the thought of doing school over summer break, this class took away any worries I had beforehand. The class runs smoothly and at a pace that makes the material easy to follow. Group work is encouraged and utilized especially in its many interesting projects. For example, one project we did was to come up with a solution for the housing crisis in America; this allowed me to be more aware of how civics has an impact on the current state of the world. I expanded my knowledge of the U.S. government without the treachery of long school days.. For anyone looking to complete their credits and leave room in their schedule during the year, this class is for you!

Sofia – Geography – Sophomore

I am by no means a geography whiz (although I did memorize all the countries in Africa when I was little), but I think this class was the one I most looked forward to other than my electives. I took it as a sophomore and I found it very enjoyable; after all, Geography is a lot more than memorizing capital cities and rivers in Mesopotamia. It covers topics like environmental issues, immigration patterns, cultural differences, and the effect of physical surroundings on the behavior of people everywhere. If you are like me and get bored easily, this class is a great place for you. You never hover on one topic for too long; the wide range of topics successfully kept my attention for pretty much the entire year. I also adored my teacher Ms. Holderread and her passion for the topics she discussed: that passion from a teacher is totally contagious. It’s fairly project-based as well, so if you hate tests but love research I would highly recommend this class!