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Many high school curriculums cover the fundamentals of learning, such as algebra, U.S. history, and language arts, but in a rapidly changing technological era where change is the only constant—and where jobs happen to be more and more difficult to secure—it’s highly important to supplement these fundamentals with areas of study that will carry high school students steadily into adult life. Here are 10 courses that you should look for in a high school for a well-rounded curriculum.

Financial Literacy

Many students pass through high school learning algebra, geometry, and calculus, but often these students are still missing the fundamentals when it comes to keeping a budget, tracking expenses, calculating savings, and knowing how much interest is going to accumulate on a major expense over time.

Web Design

Web design is becoming more and more central to how companies operate on the web. A cleanly functioning, visually appealing, and search engine optimized online presence is central to many business models of today, and web design allows an individual to maintain all of these aspects of an online presence.

Graphic Design

As with web design, graphic design is becoming increasingly central to how individuals and companies interact with the web. A background in graphic design will help an individual to create visually appealing content, which is vital to an online realm where images hold more power now than ever before.

Geography

Geography is an area of study under the social studies umbrella that is often neglected or underemphasized. A course in geography will prepare students to synthesize the current events cropping up in the news every day and to travel around the world with more knowledge to support them.

Current Events

Similarly, a course centered around current events and interpreting the news put out daily by the media will work to instill a habit in students that many adults have yet to cultivate.

Earth Science

This field of science deals with the Earth’s landforms, atmosphere, and climate, and a study of earth science can help students to understand better how their everyday actions benefit the Earth or put a strain on the Earth’s resources.

Life Fitness and Nutrition

Many physical education classes do introduce students to a wide variety of sports and exercise activities, allowing students to explore forms of exercise that interest them, but a health and physical education class geared towards helping students develop their own exercise regimens and nutrition plans will prove an invaluable addition to these typical health and P.E. classes in the long run.

Child Development

Because of the heavy influence that home life plays on the overall health and behavior of an individual, high school students can benefit tremendously from discussing human growth and development, as well as parenting techniques that they will need to rely on in the future as parents.

ACT/SAT Prep

The ACT and SAT are central to college applications, so it only makes sense to dedicate more time to preparing students for them. An ACT or SAT prep course can increase tremendously a student’s chances of getting into the colleges of his or her choice.

Study Skills

Students may practice some form of studying in every course that they take, but many can benefit from learning what the most effective study techniques are, so that they can be prepared to take on the increased levels of coursework that come in college.

What if you could replace poor habits of being distracted by social media with good habits of learning through social media? Here are five ways that social media can contribute to your learning and intellectual growth.

Blogging

Blogging can improve your writing skills while organizing your thoughts in an informal manner. It provides you with the opportunity to be introspective, analytical, and creatively expressive. You can use a personal blog to explore a topic of interest—fiction novels, for example—or to practice a skill you have a desire to improve, such as photography. The added satisfaction of having your work instantly “published” to a real audience helps motivate you to do your best work. Moreover, you can connect with bloggers of similar interests, following those who write about topics in an area of study about which you are passionate. Many popular media sites have blogs as well, meaning you can enjoy high-quality, informative content every day of the week.

Collaborative calendars and documents

Collaborative websites like Google Drive are great for bringing students together for learning purposes. A teacher can use a collaborative calendar, for example, to share assignments, upcoming deadlines, and project dates with students who can’t meet in person, and groups of students can collaborate on the same document, spreadsheet, presentation, or form while simultaneously communicating via chat or video.

Podcasts

A podcast is simply a recording of a person or group of people discussing a topic of interest. Many podcasts are dedicated to sharing “uncommonly known facts” or bringing awareness to major topics and phenomena, and with the wide variety available today, there are sure to be several of interest to you. Consider replacing some of your everyday music listening with podcast listening for a stronger mind.

Video

While sites like YouTube are rife with humor and entertainment, they are full of educational content as well. Many colleges and universities offer free courses, Khan Academy provides hundreds of tutoring videos for free, and sites like TED grant you the opportunity to explore new ideas and ways of thinking in virtually any academic field.

Traditional social media platforms

Even the most popular social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter can be utilized to promote stronger learning rather than procrastination and time wasting. Consider following popular news and media outlets on your favorite social media platforms, or even your favorite authors. Research fields of study that interest you and become familiar with thought leaders in these fields; then follow and interact with these leading thinkers so that you can stay up-to-date in these fields.

Note taking is a fundamental study skill that comes in handy when reading through course material, viewing online lessons, and attending lectures. High school students should focus on developing and fine tuning their note-taking technique to prepare for success in their post-grad endeavors.

Have the right supplies.

It helps to have a variety of writing utensils on hand so that you can prioritize different pieces of information as you write. Some choose to color code their notes, while others choose to use highlighters to emphasize certain portions in their notes that are crucial for understanding.

Develop a method for outlining.

It’s important to develop a system for outlining that works for you. For instance, you might choose to mark main ideas with bullet points, and then secondary ideas with an indentation and a different type of bullet point. You might then choose to use a special arrow for designating definitions, or leave a space for concepts that you don’t yet understand, but want to look up and clarify later on. Numbering the pages of your notes is also useful. Decide on a system that feels natural to you so that you can take notes efficiently even when under pressure.

Create your own abbreviations.

Having your own arsenal of abbreviations to draw from will help your note taking run smoother. Consider substituting common words with symbols, such as “b/c” for “because,” “btwn” for “between,” and up and down arrows for “increase” and “decrease.” In fact, there are several lists of common note taking abbreviations out there on the web.

Know what to write down.

Note taking is not the same as transcription. Instead of recording notes word-for-word, you should instead synthesize what you read or hear and then write things down more concisely. Resist the temptation to write everything and instead focus on the main points. Some key items you should always be sure to include in your notes are definitions (word for word), drawings or charts for demonstration, and repeated facts.

Utilize online tools.

One great advantage of today’s portable technology is that it fulfills many of the same functions traditional note taking does – pen and paper, for example. With your laptop or tablet, you can use the very same tried and true note-taking techniques, in a convenient digital format. Pre-set outline formats allow you to organize information, while typographical options such as bolding, italicizing, underlining, and highlighting allow you to emphasize certain portions of text. And with the many specialized note taking applications out there today, you’ll enjoy additional conveniences such as online collaboration, email forwarding, instant online publishing, photo embedding, revision tracking, and more.

Most people are familiar with and regularly practice the type of physical exercise that strengthen muscles and build endurance. What many don’t know is that there are mental exercises you can do to sharpen the mind and foster more effective learning. Here are seven mental exercises you can do to promote a stronger mind for learning.

Practice memorization.

Boost your memory by practicing memorization with the everyday lists you already create. Try memorizing your list of things to do for the day, or the list of items you need to pick up from the grocery store.

Draw a map from memory.

Another way to practice your memory skills – and to better your sense of direction while you’re at it – is to draw a map from memory after you have visited a place. Include any streets and landmarks you may remember.

Do mental math.

Put your phone away when the check comes at the restaurant; rather than using a calculator to determine how much of a tip you should leave, do the math in your head to give your brain some exercise. Other examples of everyday instances where you can practice mental math include estimating your total at the grocery store, making conversions while baking, and calculating how many miles your car drives per gallon of gas.

Keep a handwritten journal.

Hand-writing in a journal not only causes you to use your memory, but also ignites your brain’s language and motor skill functions.

Study a foreign language.

Learning a foreign language is not only useful, the listening and hearing involved also stimulates the brain. Studying a foreign language will challenge you to reflect on how your own language works, think in new patterns, and broaden your vocabulary.

Practice a musical instrument.

Practicing a musical instrument – be it the guitar, piano, violin, or drums – is a great way to give your brain the equivalent of a full-body workout. It engages just about every area of the brain –especially those areas associated with visual, auditory, and motor skills. Practicing an instrument will strengthen those areas of the brain, and this will carry over as you practice other mentally stimulating activities that involve those areas of the brain.

Try something new.

Not sure if a foreign language or musical instrument is for you? Not to worry – trying your hand at anything that is new and exciting can give your brain new concepts to comprehend and new skills to master. Keep your brain engaged by regularly breaking up your routine and trying new things, such as reading a new book, cooking with a recipe you haven’t tried, exploring a new hike, or trying out painting for the first time.

Have you ever walked down the stairs to retrieve something only to forget what it was the moment you got to the last step? How do you remember what you were looking for? Typically people walk back up the stairs and return to the place where they thought of the item in the first place. This is a good instinct, and an example of context-dependent memory. It means that we remember information better when we recall it in the context or location where we acquired it. This concept has been studied since 1930, but it wasn’t fully accepted as a theory until the 1970s.

The Diving Study – Proof of Context-Dependent Memory

Scientists D.R. Godden and A.D. Baddeley conducted a series of tests in 1975 known as the “diving study.” Previously, researchers had found that deep sea divers, upon returning to the surface, forgot a lot of what they had seen while submerged. Godden and Baddeley tested this finding by giving groups of divers a series of nonsense words to learn, both underwater and on land. They then had the divers recall the nonsense words in both locations. In doing so, they found that their recall rate was higher when the test subjects were in the same location where the message had been encoded.

What is Responsible for Context-Dependent Memory?

Although scientists have not yet determined what causes the phenomenon of context-dependent memory, they have traced it to the parts of the brain known as the hippocampus and the prefrontal cortex. Research suggests that increased activity occurs in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex when information is recalled in the same place where it was learned.

How to Use Context-Dependent Memory to Your Advantage

As a student, you can use context-dependent memory to your advantage. If you encode or learn information in a certain location, try to attempt recall or take tests in a similar location and set-up. While studying, set up your study area to mimic that of a test-taking situation. For example, sit at a desk and don’t play loud music. If you are going to be taking an online test, study in the same location where you will take the test.

Due to the flexible nature of learning with Mountain Heights Academy, students have the opportunity to use context-dependent memory to their advantage. Quizzes and tests are administered in the same way that study guides, assignments and information are distributed. This is only one benefit of taking online courses from Mountain Heights Academy. Other benefits include flexible schedules, quick responses from teachers and higher standardized test scores.

Learning a foreign language is a difficult but rewarding endeavor. Not only will you enrich your world, you will also improve your brain power and increase your employability. Refusing to learn a foreign language narrows your world – not only because it limits your communication with people, but because it denies you the opportunity to truly appreciate all the world has to offer. Below are three benefits of learning a foreign language.

Increase Employability

In this competitive world, it is important to make yourself stand out. Due to constantly advancing technology, our world is growing smaller over time. Our economy has become a globalized one, networking with companies and clients all over the world. Being able to speak another language will allow you to interact with more people, making you a valuable asset to any business. Many employers will pay an annual salary premium to those who are able to speak an additional language.

Exercise Your Brain

Studying a foreign language alters the gray matter in the brain much like exercise strengthens muscles. Gray matter, responsible for processing information, sends communication signals from the brain to the rest of the body. Research shows that students who study additional languages receive higher scores on standardized testing, such as the SAT and ACT – specifically in math, reading and vocabulary. Those who know an additional language also have a reduced risk of developing Alzheimer’s Disease.

Learn Culture

It is nearly impossible to learn a foreign language without learning a bit about the culture from which it came. Every language has different idioms that are used, which don’t really make sense unless you understand the history of the phrase. Literature, art, movies, food, music and the like are all part of a society’s culture. Most of the time, you need to understand the language in order to truly embrace the things a society cares about.  

Begin your study of a foreign language today! Mountain Heights Academy offers Spanish and American Sign Language as part of their course catalog. Mountain Heights Academy allows flexible study and high quality courses, making them an excellent choice as an online high school.

Concurrent Enrollment and Early College options allow students to earn college and high school credit through a single course. At Mountain Heights Academy, we offer concurrent enrollment and early college to our full time students through both Weber State University and Salt Lake Community College. Students can earn up to two years of college credit while still in high school. Read on to learn about a few of the benefits concurrent enrollment offers.

Save Money

It is less expensive to obtain college credit through concurrent enrollment than it is to enroll in the classes from the college themselves. At Mountain Heights Academy, there is only a $50 fee per concurrent enrollment course (not including additional course fees). Taking the same course through the colleges can cost about $800. Tuition fees are increasing every year, so financially speaking, it is extremely wise to take concurrent classes while you’re still in high school.

Save Time in College

It takes the average college student six years to complete a four year degree. Students who enroll in concurrent enrollment in high school are more likely to graduate within four. When you take concurrent enrollment classes, you receive a college transcript, which can be transferred to the college you choose to attend after high school. Most colleges across the country accept concurrent enrollment courses.

Challenge Yourself

Concurrent enrollment classes are more challenging than the average high school course. This is because the standards of the concurrent enrollment classes are the same as the standards of college courses. Enrolling in concurrent courses is a great way to get a head start on college.

Explore Fields

Concurrent enrollment allows you to explore fields that you may be interested in without declaring a major. About 80 percent of students change their major in college at least once, and most will change their majors at least three times before they graduate. Concurrent enrollment allows you to take a course or two in your desired field without committing to a program. They also allow you to try something out that you may not otherwise pursue. Some of the courses offered through Mountain Heights Academy and Weber State University are: Introduction to Theatre, Introduction to Philosophy, Introduction to Anthropology, Introduction to Music, Animal Biology, Contemporary Mathematics and American National Government.

It is easy to get lazy over the holidays, especially when it comes to school work. Who wants to read The Scarlet Letter when everyone else is lounging around with their family or out ice skating with friends in the cool, crisp winter air? However, as you know far too well, schoolwork doesn’t disappear over the holidays. It is important to try to stay focused and complete your homework even though there are many distractions. While online school allows you to have incredible flexibility, it also requires you to discipline yourself.

Plan Ahead

The luxury of digital learning is that you get to set your own schedule. However, that blessing can quickly become a curse if you don’t properly schedule your time to complete your coursework – especially during the holidays. Rather than procrastinating and cramming together sub-par work at the last minute, map out what school work you need to complete by the end of the year, and make a plan of how you are going to accomplish it all. Dedicate time every day to work on your homework, and if you can, get ahead on your coursework so that it is not as stressful later on in the holiday season.

Don’t Leave Things to the Last Minute

As mentioned above, try to get ahead in your coursework before the holiday jingles sink in. Assume that you will not do much (if any) work between Christmas and New Year’s Day and resolve to accomplish as much as you can beforehand instead. By scheduling a little bit of extra time every day to work on school work, you’ll nix the holiday stress and ensure you produce quality work.

Reward Yourself

You shouldn’t have to keep yourself cooped up all day during the holidays! Make sure to take breaks to enjoy the season. Set time and task bench marks, and when you reach those benchmarks, reward yourself. Make yourself a cup of hot chocolate, or eat a slice of pie. For more major accomplishments, allow yourself to go spend time with friends and family in winter activities like sledding or ice skating.

Take Advantage of Time

If you have a few extra minutes after a family dinner before dessert, take that time to do a little bit of coursework. Take your English novel with you when you visit friends and family just in case you have a few minutes of down time.

Study in a Quiet Place

With the hectic nature of the holidays, it may seem impossible to get any work done. If you try to study in a noisy area with lots of friends and family hanging out, you will become distracted. If you need to, leave the house and go to the local library to get some peaceful study time.

We have all heard the quote from Spider-Man, “With great power, comes great responsibility.” You’re probably thinking “Right! If I were a superhero I would definitely use my powers for good, but this doesn’t apply to me. I’m in high school and I don’t really have any superpowers.” However, that is a limited way of thinking. You have been given great power, a “superpower” if you will: the ability to make your own weekly schedule when it comes to your schoolwork. This is a glorious superpower. You can now take your time with more difficult subjects and breeze through the easy ones without time constraints. If your family is going on vacation, you can work ahead and be stress-free on the beach. Digital learning gives you amazing opportunities and incredible flexibility. However, just like Peter Parker, your great power comes with great responsibility. The awesome ability you now have to make your own schedule comes with the stipulation that you indeed do have to make a schedule.

Follow the steps below to help you make a study plan to accomplish your schoolwork.

1. Figure Out What Needs to Get Done

Read through your weekly pacing guide and determine everything that needs to be completed by the end of each week. Highlight or write down the specific assignments for each class. Then, create a task list for each class. Review each list a few times to make sure that you didn’t forget anything. Lastly, determine how much time you will need for each item on the list. Write that down next to the item. Evaluate your current schedule and allocate specific times each day that make sense for you to work on schoolwork. Plan a bit more time than you think will be necessary, especially for subjects that will be more difficult. Use your checklist you created in step one to help you determine how much time you need to plan. Make this a weekly routine and find success!

2. Make your Plan Accessible

After you have outlined your study schedule, write it down. You can use a traditional paper planner, your Google calendar, your phone, or a document on your computer. Just make sure that you write down your plan so you will not forget it.

3. Stick to Your Schedule

Stick to your study schedule by holding yourself accountable. Your plan will only work if you do it. However, if you find major problems with your initial plan, you can always adjust it to fit your needs.