High School Course Registration: Making Smart Choices

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Course registration can feel exciting, overwhelming, or somewhere in between. You're being asked to make decisions that seem like they matter a lot, and in some ways, they do. The good news is that you don't need a "perfect" schedule. You need a thoughtful one that fits you.

Start by understanding your graduation requirements. Every high school has specific courses students must complete to earn a diploma and be eligible for college admission. Checking in with your school counselor each year helps ensure you're on track and avoids last-minute surprises.

A strong schedule balances challenge and manageability.

Taking advanced classes can be a great idea, but only if you can handle the workload while maintaining solid grades and your well-being. Teachers are valuable guides; they know your work and can help you decide whether honors, AP, IB, or dual-enrollment courses make sense. Try not to be influenced by your peers. As you move through high school, your schedule should reflect gradual growth, not instant perfection.

Ninth grade is about adjustment and building strong habits.

Focus on learning how high school works and finding your footing academically. Complete core classes at a level where you can be successful, and don't feel pressure to take all the hardest options right away. Progress matters more than piling it all on at once.

Tenth grade often brings more exploration and a step up in challenge.

If ninth grade is going well, this may be the time to consider honors or AP courses. Pay attention to prerequisites and keep experimenting with electives. Notice what feels energizing, what feels manageable, and what might be too much as activities outside the classroom increase.

Junior year tends to be the most demanding and requires careful balance.

This is when rigor, time management, and future goals all collide. Choose electives in subjects you enjoy or may want to study in college. Lean into your strengths while protecting time for rest and recovery.

Senior year still matters—so finish strong.

Meet with your counselor to confirm you're on track to graduate. It's important to finish strong if you're planning on postsecondary education. If you plan to apply to competitive colleges, this is not the time to drop rigor levels significantly, take a minimum schedule, or start underperforming. Colleges will look at senior year rigor and ask for mid-year grades! Take classes that are meaningful, develop skills you'll need to be successful in college, and help you transition to college-level work without a shock. Plan a schedule that keeps you challenged, healthy, and provides the balance you need to manage extracurricular commitments and the college application process.

Colleges look for steady growth, appropriate challenge, and consistency over time. Thoughtful planning, not perfection, is the goal.

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Garrett Educational Consulting provides comprehensive counseling for college and boarding school admissions as well as academic advisement. Click HERE to learn about our services.

Prepared especially for our clients and their families The information included in this newsletter is generic and assumes no liability for loss or damage due to reliance on the material contained herein. Copyright © 2025 by The College Advisor, Inc. All rights reserved.

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