With the end of the winter break and the start of the new year, semester two brings discussions of new classes, college applications and upcoming exams. Underclassmen debate the merits of continuing electives and consider the classes needed for graduation. For many students, it is an important time where counselors and teachers recommend the best classes for them to take for the upcoming school year. Thus, everyone considers semester two to be the most challenging part of the year, due to the vast variety of events and exams coming up for all grade levels .
In January, teachers meet individually with students to discuss course selection for the next year. A teacher’s selection depends on various factors such as work habits, participation, grades and overall performance. Students try to figure out their schedule and what classes they need to take to be successful. Having to balance what courses they need to take to graduate and what courses they want to take can be a complex process.
Students often rely on their counselors to help them figure their courses, through one-on-one appointments.
“I’ve had to meet with my counselors several times to figure out my path,” Lambert freshman Meghna Nataraj stated. “I think I really needed a second set of eyes and my counselor really helped me with my [course selection].”
While freshmen go through the testing process for the first time, sophomores plan out their junior year schedule, a stressful time for many. For many, junior year tends to be the most challenging, filled with rigorous classes and full schedules. In addition, rising juniors need to take into account dual enrollment classes. Unlike Advanced Placement (AP) classes, these classes are taught through a college or university, being both fast-paced and challenging. Current sophomore and rising junior, Emma Unsworth, emphasized the stress of picking classes.
“There are just so many options for what classes to take and how to take them,” Unsworth explained. “Honestly, it’s a really overwhelming task to figure all of this out.”
Thankfully, teachers and counselors provide support and advice during this time, giving recommendations for how to continue.
Nonetheless, yet another challenge arises during the second semester: exams. In preparation for finals, EOCs and AP exams in May, many students will be starting to review by going over topics and notes and relearning course material. Having to keep up grades and manage things coming up in the near future is an incredibly difficult task, even without factoring in things like college applications, extracurriculars and sports.
“I’ve started preparing for my AP exams because I really don’t know what to expect,” Nataraj explained. “I’m looking over my past resources, working my way through the units.”
As the second half of the school year begins and students get back into the flow of school days, Lambert can certainly expect to see a busy next few months. Seniors will hear back from colleges with letters regarding applications, juniors will figure out the last few classes of their high school career, sophomores will juggle courses and full schedules and freshmen will have their first taste of the Lambert testing environment. Knowing what is upcoming in semester two is great comfort for many students and having support from teachers and counselors will help students prepare for the future.
