I’ve worked three jobs since my freshman year, and not once have I ever had to use the quadratic formula. Schools shove down our throats the urgency to take the most rigorous classes, complete four years of certain subjects, and to enroll in the most AP classes, but at what cost? Nobody talks about how overwhelming the pressure can be to be the “perfect student.” The education system seems to be checking boxes, rather than preparing high school students for adulthood. 

I went to Liberty full time for two years. Most of the time, all I heard was how I needed to be taking honors classes, AP classes, join every club possible, and also balance a varsity sport. What I didn’t realize was how little a lot of these core classes meant in college, in the job world, and for my future. In my two years doing running start, I have taken more classes that will be beneficial to my college major than Liberty could have ever offered. I will have earned over 95 college credits by the time I graduate from high school. A lot of colleges say that AP courses are more important than dual enrollment credits, but in reality, they are the exact same. Both of these pathways “fastforward” college-level work, require college-level material, and prove that a student is prepared for higher education. Students should not be at a disadvantage for wanting to take classes that will prepare them for college or wherever their path leads after high school.

Another reason the coursework isn’t beneficial to future education is because of the content the classes teach. The core classes at Liberty are English, math, social studies, and science.While it’s true, some of these classes should be required for baseline knowledge of the subject, they should not be required for more than two years. In my eyes, I learned everything I would need to know for my future after my sophomore year. Students should be required to take one year, or even a semester, of classes like personal finance and future ready. That way, these classes appeal to everybody, not just people in pursuit of a four year degree. Students need to learn how to manage their money, apply for college if they plan to go, vote, pay taxes, and many other things that we aren’t being taught to prepare us for life after high school. 

If a student isn’t intending on going to college, then the graduation requirements should not apply. These students, whether they want to enter trade school, get into cosmetology, or go to the military, should have the option to take classes that will better prepare them. A student going into beauty school should not have to take three years of math. With baseline knowledge and only having to do 1-2 years of effective math, this student should be able to take coursework that aligns with what she may be learning in beauty school, like color theory, anatomy, and entrepreneurship. Knowing multiple people who don’t plan on going the traditional college route, they agree that the required coursework is laughable and needs to be heavily updated.

Lastly, schools are pushing students to be a part of multiple programs, clubs, sports, and much more, without realizing the academic stress they are already putting on them. Many students can barely balance being a part of a club or varsity sport and are expected to also attend things like club meetings. On top of all of this, taking seven classes, many of them honors or AP, adds onto student stress. This can negatively impact student mental health, burnout, and anxiety. Taking classes that students enjoy, where they are also learning subjects that will prepare them for their future, will make school feel less daunting. From personal experience, since doing running start, having a few classes that may be harder but I know will benefit me in the future is more motivating and easier to manage. I also can find more time to be involved in school activities. 

While I may find this system harmful, many students as well as teachers may see it as a benefit. Having a simple and clear-cut requirement for what needs to be completed in four years makes it an easy path to follow. Students know what classes they need to complete, and there is just enough faculty to teach those classes. It would require more funding to provide a wider range of classes, as well as possibly replacing the jobs that some of the teachers might have. Expanding the faculty would cost a lot of money for each school, and if it were to go district-wide, it would cost a lot more money than many schools would be able to fund. It would also require classroom expansion. If schools were to add more classes than they already offered, teachers would either have to share rooms, or build new ones entirely. Not only is this expensive, but is putting out many of the teachers and faculty that have taken over that space. Lastly, there would need to be a wider range of educators. The core topics are more common to teach, while more specialized classes might not have a lot of people that are able to teach them. For example, a Spanish teacher is very unlikely to be educated on something like personal finance, or basics of cosmetology. As it may seem like a reach that can’t be obtained right away, it is something to think about for the future generations of students that will be facing an entirely different economy, education system, and job market.

In my personal experience, the running start route was the best decision I could have made for myself. I have never met another running start student who has regretted their decision. I have taken multiple classes that will be beneficial to my major, and will hopefully transfer to a four-year institution. I have also gathered from many students that schools requiring 3-4 years of the same subjects aren’t doing anything but setting students back from being adequately prepared for their futures. While some may see the traditional system as the most beneficial and efficient way to prepare students for college and beyond, I believe there are better ways to give students a head start on their futures.