No matter what college you plan to attend, your decision making doesn’t stop once you start enrolling for classes. In fact, choosing which classes to take is one of the most challenging parts of the college process. When you’re getting started, you might not know where to even begin. Your university is full of interesting, distinct courses that all seem to have something different to offer. What are the best classes?
It’s important to think of your classes in college as a way to not only prepare yourself for the workforce but also as a way to prepare yourself for life. Developing basic skills in a number of different areas will serve you well when it’s time to get a job or handle whatever challenges life throws at you.
Believe it or not, many employers look for the ability to learn as a top factor when hiring young professionals. With that in mind, here are the five most useful college classes you should enroll in during your college experience.
1. Professional and Academic Writing
Writing is one of the most important skills you’ll ever learn in your life. While you don’t have to be a novelist or creative writing genius, knowing the basics of grammar, sentence structure, and written communication will only serve you well in years to come. This is the type of college class you’ll want to take sooner rather than later.
Writing will be at the core of your college career. You’ll write for just about every class. The sooner you can master the basics of academic writing and become an essay writer, the better prepared you’ll be for professional success. After mastering your academic writing skills, you could use them to become a specialized technical copywriter and enter a profession that will always be in demand.
2. Athletics and Sports
While you might think college is a place for flexing your brain muscles, what about your actual muscles? Being in college is stressful. You have a lot on your plate. You’re always studying and pushing your body through tough things like all-nighters and pizza binges. All of these habits take a toll on you. Taking part in athletics as a class during college has a number of benefits.
Not only will you get to experience the fun of something like cheerleading, football, or running, but you’ll also get to work with other students as a team. These are skills you’ll use for the rest of your life, and your body will thank you for the extra help. Who knows? Maybe you’ll discover a new passion and join the cheer team for your school. Whether you end up with custom cheer uniforms or just a great semester, you’ll be glad you spent a semester working your body.
3. Accounting and Finance
Financial literacy is important in adulthood. If you don’t know how to handle your money, odds are nobody else is going to do it for you. In college, you’re on your own. You might be paying bills for the first time, and you might get a job on the side.
In the United States, a startling 55% of young people feel lost about long-term financial planning. Learning how things like retirement plans, investing, and banking work will only help you make smarter decisions about your financial future. The fact of the matter is that if you plan to have a job after college, you need to know how to handle your money, pay taxes, and be self-sufficient.
4. History
Understanding the history of the world and your country is a vital part of being a modern citizen. We live in an increasingly global world. People from everywhere are connecting in big ways, and this means big changes. When you’re out in the workforce, it’s not unlikely that you’ll be working with people from around the globe.
Having knowledge about the history of the world, even just on a basic level, will serve you well in these situations. Learn how to respond to new cultures, how to make stronger political decisions, and how to stay educated about the world.
5. Computers and Development
Finally, it’s no secret we live in a digital world. While most of us grew up with some form of technology, that doesn’t mean we’re all well-versed in what it means to be a part of the digital age. Even if you don’t plan to make a career in the engineering, IT, or development sector, you’re still guaranteed to need some basic computer skills.
No matter what job you have in the future, you’ll be interacting with technology on a daily basis. You want to show employers you can do so with confidence, and that comes with practice. Learning the basics of HTML, CSS, Adobe, and more will only help you be a stronger candidate for hire.
As you can see, there are a lot of things to take advantage of in college. Luckily, you’ll be offered all of these classes and more once you start your college career. Taking advantage of this time to learn will make you better equipped to join the workforce as well as a better-prepared adult.
Guest post by Lauren Webber. Lauren is a former HR manager and lover of psychology who now runs daintymom.com among her other pursuits. Her interests range from the corporate world to health and self-care to home improvement and parenting. Now if only someone came up with a way to extend the day by about 20 more hours, she could dedicate herself to all of these equally and constantly.
