9th Grade Classes: How to Navigate the Academic Transition to High School

Liz

9th Grade Classes: How to Navigate the Academic Transition to High School

The transition to high school can feel like a huge step for most students. There is a sense of independence that comes along with being in high school that generally extends to choosing what classes you will take and how you can and should get involved. And while it may seem that 9th grade is a bit early to start thinking about how your academic choices will affect your college application process, I am here to tell you very confidently that the choices you make your freshman year - including 9th grade classes - and the habits you develop over the course of all four years will absolutely follow you through to application season in 12th grade.

Admissions officers will be looking at your entire high school career including what academic classes you choose year after year, how your rigor increased, and how you succeeded academically. They will note consistency across the disciplines including in the core subjects of math, science, history, and English. And while it may seem like it doesn’t matter yet, it’s best to be thoughtful when you are making your choices about which 9th grade classes to take and how you approach your academic path. It’s also a great time to reflect on who you have been as a student and how you can improve as you head into the years ahead.

I’ve outlined the important factors which go into choosing your 9th grade classes and how to ensure you experience a smooth transition into the challenging, yet exciting, four years of high school.

Make Choices Based on Your Academic Interests

Use your 9th grade classes to start mapping out the next four years and beyond.

When it comes to curriculum choices, sometimes schools offer a set curriculum for 9th grade classes. A typical freshman year schedule might include courses in English, Algebra 1 or Geometry, World History, Biology, a foreign language, PE, along with electives such as courses in the arts, etc. Sometimes your freshman year track is predetermined given your previous grades, placement tests, or simply because that is how your school works. No matter what, I would still offer you some advice: Do well in your classes freshman year. Any success that you have academically will likely change your trajectory for the next three years.

If you do have the opportunity to select your 9th grade classes, take some time to reflect on a couple of questions that may inform your selection:

  • Have you always gravitated towards the sciences?
  • Is there one area of science that you particularly enjoy?
  • Do you love to write?
  • Are you particularly fond of foreign languages?
  • Are you interested in pursuing some sort of business degree in college?
  • Are there electives offered that excite you?

Once you have given some thought to these questions, consider how they can inform your decision-making process. If you are interested in science, look at the STEM curriculum offered at your high school. Plan to take a science class every year. Also, consider what upper-level or AP classes will be available to you by the time you are a junior or a senior, as admissions officers note the difficulty of your course load. Make sure that whatever you choose for freshman and sophomore year will give you the flexibility in your schedule to pursue the highest level of science available to you. If you need help or advice, don’t be afraid to reach out to your teachers or guidance counselor. Sketch out the plan for all four years now. You will make changes as needed and as your interests evolve, but planning ahead is essential!

If you want to study engineering in college, for instance, you’ll need to take the highest level of physics offered by your school. But many times, students haven’t thought about prerequisites or timing prior to their junior year and may not be able to fit the ultimate level of physics or biochemistry into their schedule. When choosing your 9th grade classes, think about your desired end game and how you can get there. The same goes for your math classes. More often than not, a university will expect you to have taken the highest level of math available, particularly if you plan to pursue a major in business, science, or engineering. If you haven’t taken at least one course in calculus, your application won’t look too strong and schools won’t have an idea of how good you are at advanced level math. So again, be sure to take a look at all of the math courses offered and figure out how you will fit in the highest level of math by your senior year.

On the flip side, if you’re interested in studying the humanities in college, choose your 9th grade classes accordingly. As a humanities major, you will have to spend a lot of time writing essays, and annotating many, many pages of readings. So, the best way to prepare is to choose challenging reading and writing courses. As you look at the syllabi for your planned humanities courses, create a reading list to help familiarize yourself with important fiction and non-fiction out there. Enrich your vocabulary and improve your writing skills to do well in these classes. These skills will also come in handy when you take your SAT and write essays for your college applications.

Don’t Save the Worst for Last!

When it comes to course selection for your 9th grade classes, I would also make sure you review any mandatory classes that your school will make you take during your four years. Don’t leave all of those requirements until your senior year. Try to spread them out and balance your core classes throughout high school. I know, taking your least favorite subject your first year of high school is a gateway to boredom. But you definitely shouldn’t enroll in your weakest, or least favorite course senior year. Imagine taking it during 12th grade while also trying to maintain leadership positions, taking standardized tests, and filling out college apps. You don’t want that! To make room for more classes you enjoy, look into whether you can take required courses online or over the summer. That way, you can check them off the list and fit in more classes that pertain to your interests throughout high school.

Colleges want to see the rigor of your course load increase each year. One of the toughest things can be when you realize that you haven’t fulfilled your requirements by senior year and your final schedule looks more fluffy than it should. That’s why it is important to take a look at all of this now, and Future You will be eternally grateful.

Embrace Newfound Responsibilities

Once you have a general sense of what classes you can take to achieve a rigorous curriculum across the four years, make sure that you also give thought to that independence I mentioned. You’re going to be in high school now. Your teacher, and likely your parents, are going to have higher expectations for what you can achieve on your own. This is an awesome time to reflect on your current time management skills and other good habits for high school students.

Let’s face it: high school is going to be harder than middle school. 9th grade classes will be more challenging and the demands will be greater. If you know that you need to develop better time management skills, think about that now and try to implement some small changes, like considering the time of day that you do your homework, or how much lead time you will need to finish every assignment.

Plan to spend time each week mapping out a schedule so that you can get everything done without stressing about it at the last minute. Start keeping a digital calendar, and making to-do lists to help manage your priorities and assignments for each day. Think about your previous study habits and how to improve them. How do you retain information, and how has that helped or hindered you in the past? Do you need to write things out or highlight as you read? Make sure that you are ready to take active steps forward when it comes to the new level of work and information that you will need to retain. If you start these habits now, you will be so much better off!

Your Teachers are Valuable Resources

My final recommendation for navigating the transition to high school is to approach your teachers. Use them as resources and don’t be afraid to ask for help. No matter what kind of student you are, there will be times when the coursework feels challenging. And because so much of the content in high school builds, it’s important that you not let yourself fall behind. Having a good relationship with teachers who instruct your 9th grade classes can help with college applications down the line, since teacher recommendations are a crucial component. The better they know your strengths and goals, the better the quality of their letter. So take full advantage of your access to them - if you develop relationships with these teachers over 3 years, their letters will be particularly meaningful!

If you don’t understand something, ask. Seek out the answers and take the time to make sure you comprehend the information before you move forward. Go after class to ask any questions you might have. This will be a great habit to start now and will be something that you can continue to do for the rest of your life. Asking for help is an acknowledgment of your interest in learning. So don’t be afraid!

At the end of the day, high school represents an amazing journey. It is the next step in your academic and personal career, and a wonderful time for a thoughtful exploration of your interests, beginning with 9th grade classes. You will be surprised to see how much you grow from 9th grade to 12th grade, so make it count. Transitions can always be difficult but if you understand what lies ahead, you will have a far easier time navigating your teenage years!

General FAQ

What is a typical freshman year class schedule?

A typical schedule may include courses in English, Algebra 1 or Geometry, World History, Biology, a foreign language, PE, along with electives such as art courses.

What classes should I take if I am interested in humanities?

As a humanities major, you will have to spend a lot of time writing essays, and annotating many, many pages of readings. So, the best way to prepare is to choose challenging reading and writing courses. As you look at the syllabi for your planned humanities courses, create a reading list to help familiarize yourself with important fiction and non-fiction out there.

What classes should I take if I am interested in science?

If you are interested in science, look at the STEM curriculum offered at your high school. Plan to take a science class every year. Also, consider what upper-level or AP classes will be available to you by the time you are a junior or a senior, as admissions officers note the difficulty of your course load. Make sure that whatever you choose for freshman and sophomore year will give you the flexibility in your schedule to pursue the highest level of science available to you.

Should I take AP classes in 9th grade?

If your school allows freshmen to take AP courses, then it's a great idea to take one. 9th grade is a big transition year, so be careful when choosing which AP class to take. Don’t sign up for anything that will be too overwhelming and result in a poor grade. You have plenty of time to take more challenging courses later!

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