Tips for Choosing the Right Electives

 Choosing between electives can be overwhelming if you don’t do your homework. Thinking about what you like, what you’re passionate about and what you want to learn can make the process much more straightforward, maybe even enjoyable. Check out our tips to help streamline your search for electives that you will not only enjoy but that will be of benefit to you and your learning experience, overall. 

Remember Your Passions

When choosing electives, it's important to consider what it is that you're passionate about. Taking courses in subjects that interest you can make your course load feel lighter and more enjoyable. That said, it doesn't mean you should shy away from trying new things. Courses that challenge or push you outside of your comfort zone could provide motivation and a chance to discover a new talent or interest. Choosing electives is also a prime opportunity to explore subjects you’re interested in but were never able to learn. You might develop a new passion and expand your horizons. Some students are even inspired to add a double major or to switch programs because of electives they've taken.

Explore Your Options

It’s simple – if you want to choose the right electives, explore your options. Ask your advisor, friends or other students about certain courses, including their level of difficulty, course requirements, etc. While choosing fun, interesting electives will prevent boredom, dissatisfaction, and the desire to drop the course, it's important to not just go searching for the easiest course you can find. Easy can sometimes be boring, too, making you less motivated to do attend class and do the required work.

Ask for Advice

There’s nothing wrong with asking for help, and in college or university, there’s no better help than your academic advisor. If all else fails, ask your advisor for course suggestions. Consult with him or her before selecting your electives and finalizing your classes. You could also ask friends or family for their advice or opinions. Moreover, student forums and social media are great spaces to learn about elective courses and all they have to offer. Online, you can read past student experiences and even find reviews for classes you’re interested in. 

Learn the Meaning of ‘Free,’ Area of Study and General Education Electives

It’s important to learn the difference between free, area of study electives, and general education electives. This will help you avoid taking courses that don’t apply to your degree or that won't be of benefit to you. 'Free electives' are flexible courses that generally don’t apply to your degree program and can be taken by anyone, at any time. 'Area of study electives' are obviously designed to fit your major and enhance your selected field of study. 'General education electives' are designed to offer you a working knowledge of multiple subjects.  These electives are great for not only enhancing your skills and abilities for your student and future career, they also encourage the development of certain skills. Some of the most important skills you might learn in general education electives include: self-discipline, teamwork, planning and strong organization. This will help you become proficient and adaptable to any work environment.

Think of electives as a way to broaden your horizons and don't forget that choosing between your options should be a fun experience. Make note of our tips and choose the courses that are right for you.

Still looking for housing for the upcoming school year? Book a tour of our residence and check out some of the best student rentals Edmonton has to offer.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

3 Tips for Finding Off-Campus Student Housing

There’s a huge number of benefits to living off campus. For instance, housing costs less and you have more freedom in terms of who you live with, what you eat, and who you invite over. Plus, you gain greater privacy, which becomes extra important after your freshman year — your workload will increase and you’ll need your own quiet place to study. Still, not all off-campus housing is created equal. You need to ensure that you pick well. 1. Distance from Campus Only look at apartments near University of Alberta . Living farther away may seem appealing for the lower costs, but it will ultimately cost you more in time and effort. Whether you plan to walk, bike, drive, or take public transit, the journey should be simple and take no more than a few minutes. Anything longer and you risk being late to classes or becoming exhausted by your daily journey. 2. Quality of the Building Depending on your budget, you may have to settle for something less than the best. However, you should n...
Read more

Study Tips — That Really Work!

Sick of getting study advice that fails? If you're dreading test and exam preparation and are struggling to get the marks you want, the problem could be in your approach to studying. Whereas common study tactics are helpful for some people, they may not do you any good. What you need are methods that are scientifically proven to work! Let's take a look: Test Yourself There’s a reason flashcards are so popular — they work! Flashcards provide you with a quick and easy way to test yourself on facts that you know will be in exams. Find questions at the end of books to use on your flashcards or write down key information as you look over the material you covered in class. This technique is also great for studying as a group. Spread Out Your Studying You’ve probably heard that it’s a bad idea to cram, but maybe you continue to do it anyway. What you need to realize is that it’s impossible to retain a large amount of information the night before your exam. Never feel guilty a...
Read more

How to Start Preparing for a Career During University

Preparing for a career during university can seem like an uphill battle. You may not know what to do, where to turn for information, or even what career you want to pursue after you graduate. On top of that, you might also be contending with the stress of getting ready for final exams and passing your classes. Rather than waiting until the last minute to begin your job search, take a proactive approach and start thinking about your career options as soon as possible. Whether you're just in your first year or a few weeks away from graduation, here are a few tips to help you prepare for a career during university. Consider experience-based learning The first step you can take towards preparing for a career is to look for apprenticeships and internships. Think of them as an opportunity to develop the skills you've learned about in the classroom. Start your search by looking at your university's job board — chances are you'll find several companies in your area loo...
Read more