For many students at TCS, the process of selecting courses has become a challenge due to sudden curriculum changes and new policies roaming around the campus.
Impacting long-term weekly experiences and future aspirations, course selection plays a key role in shaping student life. However, recent adjustments in availability, requirements, and inconsistencies have left many lost. The following article explores the effect these obstacles had, highlighting TCS views of those directly impacted by said changes.
One of the main struggles 2025 students face is the lack of clarity and recent updates about which courses will be available to them next year.
“Indirectly, yes, curriculum changes have affected my academic plans, specifically through advanced mathematics classes. Since the school did not offer Algebra 2, me and my class were somewhat behind,” Agustin Baena, 10th grade, said.
This uncertainty also makes it harder for students to plan their schedules and properly establish their academic goals.
“It really depends on the class and person because they all have different cycles of work and strength. But I guess my greatest way of avoiding stress is enjoying other courses that are not challenging and enrolling in them as well… It makes your life a lot easier,” Baena added.
These confusions create a negative effect, ultimately leading towards student self-doubt in our community, especially when making such an important decision.
“Honestly, most people who are struggling with this feel really uncertain, anxious, and are overthinking it too much. I am well aware some of my classmates are not having a good time,” Jeronimo Carvajal, 11th grade, said.
Another major challenge is staying updated and effectively understanding prerequisite requirements for certain courses.
“I wanted to take a specific elective last year, but I found out it wasn’t available after I asked before submitting my options,” Santiago Castaño, senior, said.
Leaving many students unsure of whether they can qualify does discourage them from exploring new subjects, even if they have the potential and interest to apply.
“I know more people in the school want to expand on the computer science programs in a normal curriculum but the elective component keeps them away from doing so. I personally feel these skills would be essential for students that attempt learning them,” Carvajal added.
Better logistical processes can further empower students to advocate for future generations and pursue their passions.
“The school could make course selection better by offering the students, or at least telling them about classes in future years so they start planning their class path beforehand,” Baena added.
Likewise, uncertainty course selection impacts student mental health, adding unnecessary pressure to already stressful elections.
“I see some from people in my grade that are really stressed out about it because they really want to make the best use out of this opportunity. After all, we really do have a lot of options,” Carvajal added.
Many students turn to different sources, like friends, for advice, which can provide support but also lead to greater waves of misinformation.
“Recently, I heard a few rumors in school as to how some classes would work out. So I was kind of confused about that at first, but all these ended up being chismes,” Carjaval said.
Creating a more transparent system would not only improve the process but also help alleviate TCS communities’ stress.
“From the very little feedback that I’ve heard other classmates gave, like, for example, in previous classes that I had, I haven’t really noticed any significant change whatsoever,” Carvajal added.
Recent studies on well-being demonstrated that a lack of control over academic decisions is amongst the main conductors of increasing anxiety. According to the American Psychological Association, societies demand access to constant information, gatherings, and counselor support tools in order to reduce said stress, especially recurrent in teens. Implementing many updated digital video tools has proven to improve student misinformation and confidence levels as well.
More than an ordinary logistical task, this process should be an enjoyable aspect in the lives of every student. It is okay to feel overwhelmed at times, however, it is a two-way balance between flexibility where the school must prioritize every individual, turning uncertainty into a positive, smooth transitional experience.
“Student preference has to be limited to some extent. But, in a good system, it is worth noting that all my classmates should feel more confident than lost in their academic journey,” Castaño said.