Title: The Value in Taking Electives
Headings: The Value in Taking Electives
The Value in Taking Electives
Why Take Electives?
To Develop Interests and Abilities
To Explore STREAM
To Learn About the World
To Throw Some Fun into a Busy Schedule
And Finally, To Be Prepared
About the Author
Ashleigh Lutz

Content: arts in plating an aesthetically pleasing dish; and math to measure ingredients. When an elective pairs real-world applications with fairly abstract concepts, academic content becomes “stickier,” and students feel empowered to take ownership of their learning. To Learn About the World
Not only do electives help students develop their skills and better understand themselves, but they also help students better understand the world around them. One of the electives I took focused on the study of video games—something I didn’t have much experience with. That course really made me appreciate all the intricate elements of storytelling and graphic design that go into creating a whole new virtual universe. On a larger scale, elective courses like criminal justice, legal studies, and psychology focus on important issues and really open students’ eyes to what’s going on beyond their own world. These subjects can inspire them to pursue careers in such fields, which the world always needs more of. To Throw Some Fun into a Busy Schedule
Taking electives creates a richer learning experience while also helping to break up an otherwise rigorous schedule or reengage students in school. Some students are bored by the content or bogged down by the demands of core courses, so an elective like digital photography, fashion design, or sports marketing might be just the academic “break” they need to get them through the day.