Electives Should Stay the Same

by: Bryce Nall

Currently, at Cy-Fair High School, electives are weighted differently from each other. For instance, football isn’t earning students as high of a GPA (grade point average) as robotics would. But, this system is working just fine. Electives should be weighted differently because if a student is passionate about their elective, they will have the same opportunities from all the other electives in their future. If the class is more rigorous, then the class will earn you a higher GPA.

Some argue that all electives should be weighted the same and offer the same credit despite how difficult each one may be. It’s a student’s choice if they want to take all K-level classes and earn the highest GPA. It’s also a student’s choice if they want to play a sport that’s on-level. If that student is passionate about that sport or that on-level elective, they will have the same opportunities in their future career as a student filling their schedule with the highest level classes. So, the current system is ideal because it fits the students’ freedom of choice and the students’ eligibility for future career options.

If students didn’t have a say on their electives, then all classes should offer the same amount of credits. But in reality, because students have freedom, they’re able to alter their future by the classes they choose. Having those alternatives for different difficulty classes in high school gives students a sense of organization and fulfillment. Without the ability to have options, variety will be lost and students will have fewer opportunities for career choices.

Overall, students deserve their freedom in the classes they choose. It’s a privilege to be able to challenge yourself with higher-level classes. Equal credit classes wouldn’t make sense with the variety of options at Cy-Fair. No matter how much higher of a GPA a student will earn from a class, there’s always a student just as passionate about their course that does not offer additional GPA points.

The Electives Time To Shine

By: Briannah Issa

For years, what all high school students can think about is their GPA, college, and what they are going to do after college. A lot of students strive to do their very best in high school in order to have a successful future. The issue is most students don’t choose classes that weigh as close as most courses. Instead, they choose courses that will benefit them and are necessary to play the GPA game.

Electives should weigh just as much as the core classes. The reason behind this statement is because of our mental health. Most can relate to the stress when it comes to getting good grades in all their classes, especially when their months away until they take their first steps into college. The question is, why can’t electives be just as important to our core classes?  Colleges look for students with not only their academic record but what makes them a well-rounded student and that’s where electives come in. Students need some time away from the stress of the GPA game by doing what they want to, so that colleges can see that students express themselves through other activities, like auto shops, cosmetology, journalism, etc. 

Also, the competition between most students to get the top rank of their class can be draining. We see students take a lot of AP or Dual Credit classes to get their GPA higher than others. This also takes a toll on their mental health, as students would want their grades to reach perfection. Those who do strive for that rank tend to be out of touch with the world that surrounds them and even smart people have their limits. Electives can help the students take a break from that world of perfection for a little bit, so they can be actual teenagers. 

Having electives can help so many students while taking their core classes. Though it is good to prepare for college, electives can prepare us for life. Also, with the electives weighing the same as core classes, it will boost their GPA and lift the stress off their shoulders.

By: Briannah Issa and Bryce Nall