Your college will require you to take core undergraduate courses. Before you sign up for the basic courses, consider the classes you’ll benefit the most from. Ensure these fit your college degree requirements too.
Having a basic understanding of the subjects below fuel useful life skills, you'll be using for many years to come. It’s in your best interest to get a holistic understanding in these eleven areas. Most universities offer these classes on every college campus:
11 College Courses All Students Should Take
- Accounting/Personal Finance If you plan to make money, you'll be expected to pay taxes. Having the skills to manage your finances, know how to tackle debts, and even file your own taxes will make adulting a lot easier for you.
- Art/Design Perhaps you’re not the world’s most outwardly creative individual. Nevertheless, that doesn’t mean you cannot appreciate and cultivate an understanding for the arts. Nor should it stop you from bringing out your inner Picasso! Nobody is one-dimensional in terms of talent (including you) and college is all about exploration.
- Business/Business Management Whether you plan on starting your own business, working for a large company or a small office – business is everywhere when it comes to the work environment. Though you may not be managing the business, it’s useful to know how things operate, and how important business decisions are made.
- Communication/Speech Whether speaking to one or one hundred people, it’s important to learn how to articulate your message clearly. In these public speaking courses, you’ll learn to get your point across through understanding your audience and conveying your message with confidence.
- History Our past influences such a large part of our future and understanding these historic events can help propel future discoveries. While there is far too much history to learn in one course, choosing one topic that interests you is certainly a great start!
- Journalism/Writing No matter what field you choose to go into, strong writing skills will not only be beneficial, but essential to your success as well. They’ll help you to communicate with future employers and, once you gain employment, your boss and colleagues.
- Physical Education Great as an elective, any course that keeps you active is always a great idea. Whether you decide to take a course in mindfulness or the Art of Walking, they may help you discover new interests that you didn't know you had!
- Political Science Learn about how elections really work, how the government is structured, state and federal government processes, and politics galore. Having a solid understanding of political science will ensure you're an informed U.S. citizen.
- Sciences Science is all around us! Learning about scientific subjects will further your discovery about the world in which you live. You can choose from such an array of topics – pick one that interests you and explore!
- Statistics Involved in so many of our business and financial decisions, statistics often seem to make the world go round. A basic understanding of how statistics are calculated is integral to making the very decisions based on them.
- Computer Science/Web Design/Cybersecurity Once upon a time basic computer skills were required in all career fields; now it’s recommended to have a basic understanding of cybersecurity, coding and webpage design and development. Having this background will give you an advantage after graduation.
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