As you put together your four year plan for classes at New Trier, what will undoubtedly change your experience is your electives—I don’t mean academic-equivalent classes like computer science or debate; I mean creative classes like glass art, choir, and film. New Trier has dozens of options for electives, so there really is something for everyone. Even if it’s just one period out of your day, electives are what make your high school experience. 20 years from now, you might not remember your sophomore year math class, but you will never forget your junior year ceramics class. Electives serve as a much-needed break from stressful academic classes, providing you with a method of self-expression that you can always return to later in life. When I’m stressed about an AP Lit essay, I know I can look forward to Choir-Opera as a place to relax and practice my craft. If an APES test doesn’t go so well, I can sit back and use my creativity in New Trier News. My electives are my chance to breathe, my few minutes of calm amongst the chaos of my day. 

Don’t get me wrong, I understand the temptation to fill your schedule with the most APs and rigorous courses to impress colleges, but colleges also want to see variety. Every Ivy League school receives thousands of applications with eight APs and all level four classes, but the applications that get read are those that also include an art or an orchestra class. And without an elective class to breathe in, you won’t achieve the high grades in those APs to get into those colleges anyways. But seriously, electives aren’t about impressing colleges or maintaining grades. The elective classes I’ve taken at New Trier have created my strongest friendships, inspired me to pursue journalism in college (shoutout New Trier News), and kept me sane throughout my high school years. I wouldn’t have made it to graduation without them. Take the elective. Trust me, you won’t regret it.