BCAT News

As of March, students are beginning to select and choose courses for the 2025/2026 upcoming school year. Selecting classes causes an increase of stress and confusion amongst students, even for  upperclassmen. Students are encouraged to think insightfully about classes that will benefit their future. 

As deadlines approach students are beginning to stress about choosing effective classes to reflect positively on future careers and academics. Burlington High School encourages upperclassmen students to critically decide classes that will have a positive impact on their desired pathway out of highschool. 

 “I am very indecisive so it takes me a lot of time to pick what I want to take so it will have a good impact on my future,”   Ashley Tracy, a rising BHS senior, said.

Tracy mentions her biggest struggle when deciding classes comes from her indecisiveness. Upperclassmen, when choosing their classes, have to focus on specific courses that relate to their future outside of BHS. Due to BHS having a variety of classes Tracy has a hard time choosing between classes.

“I think about the colleges I want to go to and I check what their requirements are,” Tracy said.

As an upperclassmen it is common to face pressure when beginning to look at future career and school opportunities. Tracy shares how many colleges have different academic requirements and preferences that must be met. Colleges tend to look for specific classes and requirements when admitting students. 

Picking classes can be difficult and often a struggle. BHS offers a variety of intriguing classes across all subjects and electives.

While many students are interested in taking multiple courses, many are denied due to limited availability in their schedule. 

“My concern is that I will not have room in my schedule for all the classes I want to take and also manage challenging classes while still being able to manage my schedule,” Caitlin Shanahan, a rising BHS senior, said.

Due to only seven periods available and the number of required classes, students have a hard time choosing between both classes and electives. 

Taking classes of interest is very important as students are encouraged to learn skills students are actively passionate about. By selecting classes based on personal interest, students learn more about concepts students personally want to excel in.                                                                                

“Taking chorus and other music classes have furthered my love of music and have pushed me to take music into college,” Julia Shvartsman, a current senior at BHS, said.

By taking a class of personal interest Shvartsman was able to develop ideas to work towards a possible future career. Burlington offers a variety of classes and electives that may strike student interests.

BHS offers various electives and courses of interest to many students such as business, fashion, clay, band, studio art, computer science, psychology, and many others. For many upperclassmen, taking these classes can guide their future to develop ideas of what individuals may or may not be interested in pursuing in the future.

Due to the large number of classes upperclassmen may be offered, it is common to experience stress during course selection. 

“Make sure they follow their hearts and not their peers,” Tracy said. “Take the classes that will help with what you want to major in.” 

As course recommendations approach submissions, upperclassmen face stress through struggles of their future. Despite the confusion and panic, as students submit classes for upperclassmen year, students consider college careers and personal development to get the most out of the various classes Burlington High School offers.