The Internet from Christian and Islamic Perspectives Research Paper

The Internet from Christian and Islamic Perspectives - Research Paper Example Internet in Islam The popular notion, especially in the West is that Islam may not be comfortable with the Internet. Images of censorship and restriction would probably inform this perception. But the fact is that the Internet is accessible to many Muslims across the world. There is no specific Islamic teaching that bars the use of the Internet for Muslims. As a matter of fact, many Muslims are finding the Internet a convenient and useful way to learn not just about common knowledge but also about Islam, its rituals, among other information. Today, both traditional Muslim texts and contemporary Muslim conversation have found their way to the information superhighway (Bowen and Early, 300). Abdulla also pointed out that while Islam is not dependent on the Internet and computers and would not miss it if it disappears, there is still the fact that these technological innovations have expanded several aspects of Islam (62). For example, the Internet is also increasingly becoming a place for Muslims to join together into many communities that strengthen relationship and brotherhood. According to Karagiannis and Wagner, the Internet, along with the so-called "new media", created new forms of Islamic communities, which revolve around shared communications and which bind together new relationships (97). These are made possible by the amount of information that can be accessed as well as the social media (popular among Muslims) and the emergence of the e-mail messaging tool. These facilitate Islamic propagation. The capability of the Internet to be accessible to many people makes it an effective form of evangelizing tool. Many people are learning about Islam online and this is particularly important especially in the era wherein Muslims are constantly being treated with suspicion and Islam, being commonly misinterpreted. Many Muslims find the Internet useful in these areas. The Christian Tradition The utility of the Internet is also true in the case of Christians. Every one agrees that on its positive side and in regards to its technological capabilities, it is important for evangelism and missionary activities. As Campbell explained, from the point of view of many Christians, the Internet serves as "a social technology that helps people of shared faith gather together, thereby connecting those from the same religious tradition who would normally be separated by geography, time and other limitations" (39). This characteristic is supposed to be congruent with the Christian religious concept of the "body of Christ", which in this case manifest in a networked community of believers with the Internet as a medium. The Internet also serve as a resource and communication tool for Christians across the globe in their religious activities, information campaigns, among other evangelical works. It allows the Christian churches to reach out to its flock and facilitates in giving charity, missionary work, among others. Comparison It is important to underscore t hat the positive perspectives on the Internet as demonstrated in the previous sections are both true in the cases of Christianity and Islam. And this is also shown in terms of the negative attitude or perspective towards the Internet is not exclusive to any religion. There are Christian and Islamic values that can be both threatened by the Internet. For example, Christians criticize the uncensored content in the Internet that are made available to

Arousing music Essay Example for Free

Arousing music Essay The Obendorfer’s three-story Victorian home rested at the corner of Peabody and Main in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The grand homes candy-corn colored shutters peaked out from mature oak and trimmed spruce trees. It was a glorious day, the September’s morning breeze pungent with honeysuckles and sage. Across the meadow soon-to-be-ripened pumpkins slumbered beneath crawling vines. Preparations had been made, silver polished, crystal goblets buffed and glistened along side china place settings in anticipation of Valentin (last name goes here). Arriving notebook in hand Solomon the butler shows the Ladies Home Journal (LHJ) reporter in for a sumptuous breakfast of, kippered herring, liver, bacon and griddle cakes with Mrs. Marx Obendorfer, her son Reginald, heading off to college and daughter Daisy, a member of the Symphony Society and high school student. The interview will explore the controversy the scathing article revealed in the August issue of Ladies Home Journal entitled: Does Jazz Put the in Syncopation? {Reginald dressed in plaid waist-coat and knickers enters the dining room. Daisy seated at the window-box-seat is fiddling with her starched middy-blouse collar} Reginald: Good Morning, Daisy. Daisy {yawning}: Morning Reg. Mrs. Obendorfer: Good Morning children. Your father won’t be joining us for breakfast, business affairs you know. {Doorbell chimes and Sage the butler shows Valentin into the dining room. } Mrs. Obendorfer {extending her gloved hand in welcome}: Oh, do come in Mr. Put your last name here. Valentin: {clutching a notebook under his arm}: I ‘m so pleased to make your acquaintance, Mrs. Obendorfer; it was kind of you to invite me into your home. Mrs. Obendorfer: {to butler} Solomon please take our guests hat and escort him into the dining room at once. {Solomon takes Valentins fedora and top-coat and seats him at the table and he’s introduced to Reginald and a bored Daisy}. Valentin {placing his fork down and leaning in towards Mrs. O}: Who was it that said, â€Å"Music soothes the savage beast? Mrs. : Obendorfer: Young man, music can change one’s mood, it can soothe the heart, bolster the spirit. It is the greatest gift to mankind. Valentin: Your article last month caused quite a stir if you please lets talk about why should we believe that ‘music might invoke savage instincts? † isn’t music just a series of sounds? Mrs. Obendorfer: In the past we have been content to accept all kinds of music†¦ and to admit music in all its phases into our homes simply because it was music. Never before in the history of our land have there been such immoral conditions among our young- Reginald {Frowning}: Oh Mother! You can’t believe that a type of music corrupts the morals-. Mrs. Obendorfer: I tell you surveys have been conducted, and it has been proven the culprit is jazz music, and its evil influence among our young people. Daisy: Mother all this talk about a passing phase. Why we at the Symphony- Reginald {Getting red-in-the face and interrupts Daisy}: Daisy what do you†¦ know you just echo Mother’s sentiment- Mrs. Obendorfer: Reginald! That will be quite enough we have a guest. Valentin: Mrs. Obendorfer, you mention in your article that the dance music of the past could really do no harm because it was music. What exactly do you mean? Mrs. Obendorfer: What I mean is the music of the past was not morally deficient. Yes, in the past certain restrictions were placed on some types of music and dance, but it was by the clergy who I might add have never been particularly enthusiastic about dancing anyway. It was not immoral as this Jazz! Valentin: I’m interested in the idea that immoral acts can be directly attributed to certain dances. Can someone flesh this out for me? Is there really a cause-and-effect relationship? Mrs. Obendorfer: I am appalled at the outrageous dances that have been permitted in private as well as public ballrooms. Vulgar and evil acts can be traced acts to the influence of these immoral dances. Reginald: Jazz is not evil. Jazz is freedom a freedom of expression. Mother, how can syncopated rhythm and tempo create immorality? Valentin: Uh†¦what sort of immoral acts would there be, anyway? If we can discuss them in mixed company, that is†¦ Mrs. Obendorfer: Such arousing music with its jerky half steps invites immoral variations. How can one find refinement when the music is void of any?

Developing Business Through Human Resources

Developing Business Through Human Resources I. Since time immemorial, human resources have played a vital role in managing people and magnifying their full potential. There are key insights to surpass in any inevitable business growth, decline or any dynamic changes in a management. Business Growth First, managers should have a clear comprehension of where the organization is headed. In order for HR to anticipate fundamental stages of improvement, transition and deal with necessary shifts, they need to be genuinely familiar with the strategy, values and vision. Secondly, values and goals should be the bedrock of the business. HR has a vital position to help preserving the vision of the leader and ingraining it in all aspects of managing employees. They have to make it a point that the processes in HR are coincides the way the business would like people to work on it every day. Third, HR can make the process simple. As the business grows, there is an inevitable need to embrace a more analytical approach and orient more processes. However, it is essential to find the harmony between fluidity and structure so that the spirit of cleverness and entrepreneurial are not undermined. Fourth, HR needs to strike the balance between preservation and evolution. We tend to get sentimental on what has always been however, management should let go of it and move on from business culture processes that no longer support its priorities. Lastly, HR management needs to lay foundations for the future. HR people are often caught up in an intense cycle of recruitment and barely have the time to glance to ponder at what styles they should be putting in place to arrange the future. Managers have to make sure that they are not fastened up in a short term results and miss the important opportunities to support longer term goals. Business Decline Through the years, reducing the workforce has been the standard come back to overcome in financial difficulty. Research has shown that layoffs are particularly devastating to employees and human aftermath of cutbacks costs an arm and a leg. While reduction in workforce are unavoidable, there are fascinating reasons why downsizing-related layoffs must nevertheless perceived as a managerial tool of absolute last resort. There are several Human Resource management practices that supports a declining business. HR needs to impose an immediate freeze in hiring on management and support staff. There are other important approaches could be use that is best for the situation such as imposing mandatory vacation, workweek reduction, overtime cut pay, salary reduction, temporary facility closure, and soliciting ideas of cost-reduction from employees. It is a vital task for a firm to determine which strategy fits to solve the problem of business decline. In order to effectively choose a downsizin g strategy, HR needs to properly connect a company’s style of cost cutting with the cost reduction time frame. There are factors to consider that affects the selection of cost cutting strategy such as time, resources, budget, corporate culture, demographics, and labour market. Business Change As managers, there are roles one must consider to surpass change. HR needs to act as advocates by informing people the need for change and being positive about it. They also need to be supporters, by providing assistance and removing barriers. They could also act as motivator, by encouraging the change and providing reinforcement. One must be knowledgeable of the process in change by identifying the issue and solution, developing plan and solution, and introducing the solution and reinforcing the change. Business Competition The degree of competition in an organization affects the ability of the cgompany to recruit qualified employees. Applicants tend to seek large industries easily than with small businesses since they don’t have the same branding power or reputation. Given that scenario, HR department will need to focus on recruitment materials development, including the company in a job fair to attract people. Moreover, programs and benefits should be developed to retain key employees. Employee Development HR management’s essential responsibility is to assist staff with their professional and career development. HR can achieve this by opening new doors of opportunity to enhance the knowledge, skills, abilities, tools, resources, and opportunities to be successful in their job and career. It can be achieved by providing on the job training and coaching, providing them feedback and performance goals, asking about and supporting their goals. It is true that the success of development would depend on the person however, the manager plays an important role in motivating, supporting, removing obstacles, and providing resources for their development. II. Internal Personnel Requirements Human resources officers promote, recommend on, and implement plan associated to the usage of employees within an organisation effectively. Their desire is to assure that the organisation hires the suitable people in terms of skills and experience, and that training and development opportunities are accessible to personnel to boost their achievement and attain the goals in the organization. HR officers are responsible in a range of activities needed by the organisation such as working ethics, recruitment, salary, terms of employment, external negotiation, and equality and diversity. Internal and External Factors in Matching Personnel to: Organisational Requirements Competition HR needs to look into developing materials in recruitment and attending job fairs for company promotion and attraction by the applicants. At the same time, incentives and programs should be developed to retain key employees. Compensation HR must continually evaluate the compensation structure and they must see to it that the internal salary style is fair. A good example would be, workers with good experience and with specialized qualification should get more salary than fresh graduates. Legalisation Legislation greatly affects all activities in HR. It dictates how long an organization should retain personnel records. Human Resource professionals must stay abreast of legislation and train managers on their responsibilities. Employee Relations Policies and procedures made internally has a great influence in HR activites. HR must ensure that people in the company receive appropriate training and development to be ready for promotion in the future. HR should also see to it the eligible employees for retirement and ensure well trained potential staff to avoid a sudden departure of business knowledge. References: http://iveybusinessjournal.com/topics/strategy/hr-strategies-that-can-take-the-sting-out-of-downsizing-related-layoffs#.VG6R5YuUeAV http://www.hrinz.org.nz/archive/conference04/presentations/Suzie_Sauer.pdf http://hrweb.berkeley.edu/toolkits/managers-supervisors/helping-employees-develop http://www.prospects.ac.uk/human_resources_officer_job_description.htm http://smallbusiness.chron.com/external-internal-environmental-factors-influencing-hr-activities-34745.html http://www.90days.co.nz/Boxall%20Purcell%20HR%20Strategy%20in%20Service%20sector.pdf http://www.focusintl.com/RBM152-066_Esra_Nemli1.pdf http://www.cipd.co.uk/hr-resources/factsheets/strategic-human-resource-management.aspx http://businesscasestudies.co.uk/tarmac/developing-a-human-resource-strategy/human-resource-management.html#axzz3K8C83mTf http://ugmconsulting.com/UGMResourceHumanCapitalStrategyCaseStudy.pdf Group Report Core Position of an Organization Human Resource Manager A great team of working professionals in an organization cannot be possible without the human resources. It has created a number of difference in enhancing the productivity of the employee. The main contribution of HR management to organizations are hiring and training the workforce, takes care of the performance management system, helps in building culture and values, manages conflict, and most importantly developing good relations. We chose the human resource manager as the core position within the organisation because it is the HR manager that leads, controls and directs the people. They are the most qualified and skilled people into the organisation to make a difference in enhancing the productivity of the employee and the organization. Core Values In Kindly Residential Care Homes, our HR management have the following core values to render effective and efficient services to employees, residents and other stakeholders. Leading Change It involves the capacity to bring about strategic change within and outside the Organization, to meet organizational goals. Essential to this qualification is the competence to create a vision in an organization and to implement it in a continuously dynamic environment. Creativity and Innovation External Awareness Flexibility Resilience Strategic Thinking Vision 2. Leading People This core qualification involves the ability to lead people toward meeting the organizations vision, mission, and goals. Inherent to this core qualification is the ability to provide an inclusive workplace that fosters the development of others, facilitates cooperation and teamwork, and supports constructive resolution of conflicts. Conflict Management Leveraging Diversity Developing Others Team Building Results Driven Accountability Customer Service Decisiveness Entrepreneurship Problem Solving Technical Credibility 3. Business Acumen This core qualification involves the ability to manage human, financial, and information resources strategically. Financial Management Human Capital Management Technology Management 4. Building Coalitions This core qualification involves the ability to build coalitions internally and with other Federal agencies, State and local governments, non-profit and private sector organizations, foreign governments, or international organizations to achieve common goals. Partnering Political Savvy Influencing/Negotiating

The Clown :: essays research papers

All people know a circus clown when they see one. Jim the clown was not your typical circus clown, with gigantic fire engine red shoes on his tiny feet. He was very different in various ways. His ears where so colossal, that they hung off the side of his head, like ears on an ancient elephant born deep in a lush tropical subterranean rain forest of South East Africa. Standing about nine feet in the air, swaying from side to side, like a redwood timber tree in the cold snow drifts Alps of Washington State. He towers over everyone he meets, like the skyscrapers of New York City. His hair, looked to be made of thick cotton, but curly as ribbon on a bow, a multicolored rainbow running from forehead the neckline and approximately an extra foot soaring from him crown. Jim the clown could be heard from miles around as his voice carried, as roughly as sandpaper, through the dusty cannon bottom of the poverty stricken village. A few nineteenth sentry cobble stone homes and rubble is all that remained. Upon his pale pasty balloon shaped face were two perfectly round circles that sat upon his cheeks. These rose to attention whenever he smiled, but it was very rarely. They plummeted just as fast with a horrifying frown. Fear came to many when they saw him smile. For it brought a sensation of death and grief throughout the several villagers he encountered. His gums and teeth where so disfigured. A hazy banana yellow tint presided over them, whenever he smiled or talked. Always dressed in jailbreak stripes, he wore red and white pants, an extremely large canary yellow bow tie. None of the children loved to see him but even fewer of them loved to hug him. With every tearing hugging embrace, they felt the smooth texture of his plum colored sequenced embedded velvet shirt. If being nine feet off the ground was not enough, he was as round and rotten smelling as a decaying Florida naval orange.

Components of Science Planning Essay

There are five essential components of scientific inquiry teaching that introduce students to many important aspects of science while helping them to develop a clearer and deeper knowledge of some particular science concept and/or process. Research has demonstrated that student involvement in the inquiry process provides a much needed connection and ownership of scientific investigations that will lead to a deeper conceptual knowledge about the content. Inquiry can be labeled as â€Å"partial† or â€Å"full† and refers to the proportion of a sequence of learning experiences that is inquiry-based. For example, when a textbook doesn’t engage students with a question, but begins with an experiment, an essential element of inquiry is missing and the inquiry is said to be partial. Also, inquiry is partial if a teacher chooses to demonstrate how something works rather than have the students explore it on their own and develop questions and explanations. What is important is that at least some of the components of inquiry are present within classroom hands-on experiences and hands-on does not necessarily guarantee inquiry. If all five elements of classroom inquiry are present, the inquiry is said to be full, however each component may vary depending on amount of structure a teacher builds into an activity or the extent to which students initiate and design an investigation. How does a teacher decide how much guidance to provide in an inquiry-based activity? The key element is in the intended outcomes. Whether the teacher wants the students to learn a particular concept, acquire certain inquiry abilities, or develop understandings about scientific inquiry influences the nature of the inquiry. In some instances partial inquiry may be more appropriate than a full inquiry-based experience. Teachers need to make meaningful decisions about how to best deliver the curriculum. The Five Essential Components to Inquiry 1. Learners are engaged by scientifically oriented questions. Scientists may pose two types of questions. They may propose â€Å"why† questions such as â€Å"Why do objects fall toward the Earth?† or â€Å"Why do humans have chambered hearts?† Many of these types of questions can’t be addressed by science. Then there are the â€Å"how† questions such as â€Å"How does sunlight help plant grow?† or â€Å"How are crystals formed?† which can. Students may ask â€Å"why† questions that can be turned into â€Å"how† questions and thus lend themselves to scientific inquiry. The initial question can originate from the learner or the teacher. Purposeful questions can be answered by students’ observations and scientific knowledge they obtain from reliable sources. Skillful teachers help students focus their questions so that they can experience both interesting and productive investigations. Teachers can provide opportunities that invite student questions by demonstrating a phenomenon or having them engage in an open investigation. Sometimes, questions will develop from students’ observations. Other times, the teacher provides the question. Either way, questions must be able to be investigated in a classroom setting. Teachers will likely have to modify student questions into ones that can be answered by students with the resources available, while being mindful of the curriculum. 2. Learners give priority to evidence, allowing them to develop and evaluate explanations that address scientifically-oriented questions. Science uses empirical evidence as the basis for explanations about how the natural world works. Importance is placed on getting accurate data and from observations. To make observations, scientists take measurements in natural settings, or in laboratories. The accuracy of the evidence collected is verified by checking measurements, repeating the observations, or gathering different kinds of data related to the same phenomenon. Evidence collected is then subject to questioning and further investigations. Within the classroom setting, students should follow similar guidelines during their laboratory experiences. 3. Learners formulate explanations form evidence to address scientifically oriented questions. Scientific explanations should be based on reason. They provide causes for effects and establish relationships based on evidence and logical argument and must be consistent with the observations and evidence collected. Explanations are ways to learn what is unfamiliar by relating what is observed to what is already known. For science, this means building upon the existing knowledge base. For students, this means building new ideas upon their current prior knowledge and understandings. 4. Learners evaluate their explanations in light of alternative explanations, particularly those reflecting scientific understanding. Evaluation, and possible elimination or revision of explanations, is one feature that distinguishes scientific from other forms of inquiry and subsequent explanations. Examples of questions one may ask are: â€Å"Does the evidence support the proposed explanations?†, or â€Å"Can other reasonable explanations be derived for the evidence?† An essential component of this characteristic is ensuring that students make the connection between their results and scientific knowledge. 5. Learners communicate and justify their proposed explanations. Scientists communicate their results in such a way that their results can be reproduced. This requires clear articulation of the question, procedures, evidence, proposed explanation, and review of alternative explanations. Having students share their explanations provides others the opportunity to ask questions, examine evidence, identify faulty reasoning, point out statements that go beyond the evidence, and suggest alternative explanations for the same observations. As a result of this communication, students can resolve contradictions and solidify an empirically based argument.

Which High School Electives Should You Take

Which High School Electives Should You Take SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips Electives are some of the coolest classes you can take in high school. They can cover almost any topic, from pottery to poetry to Portuguese, but just like any other course you take in high school, colleges will be looking at your electives to see which classes you chose and the grades you got in them. So which high school electives should you take, exactly? In this guide we'll cover how to choose electives that you both enjoy and can use as a way to strengthen your college applications. What Are Electives? Electives are classes students can take that are not specifically part of graduation requirements. High schools require students to complete a certain number of credits or hours in order to graduate, but core classes (such as English and math) don't fill all those hours, so you fill the free spaces in your schedule with electives. Why Are Electives Important? Like other high school classes, electives are a way for colleges to judge your interests and academic abilities. College admissions officers will be looking at which subjects you choose for electives and the grades you get in those courses. Electives, more than many other courses, offer a way to show your personality and interests to a school. For example, taking English your freshman year of high school doesn't tell colleges much about your personality because you probably had to take it (although the rigor of the course and the grade you got do tell them about your academic abilities). However, taking several painting classes or multiple courses in computer programming as electives can show colleges what you're passionate about. In addition to bolstering college applications, electives can also play a role in helping you discover new hobbies or career interests. Because electives cover such a wide variety of topics, they can introduce you to subjects you may not otherwise have learned about, and you may find some of those subjects really cool! For example, taking an elective in nutrition because you want to learn how to eat healthier could cause you to discover a passion for diet and well-being that leads to a career as a dietitian, nurse, or other health careprofession. It's possible for you to choose your career based on one really great elective you took in high school! Looks like somebody really enjoyed their animal science elective Examples of Commonly Offered Electives The options students have for electives can vary widely between high schools, due to a number of factors like location, financial resources, size of the student body, and student interests. Below are a few of the most commonly offered high school electives, organized by category. Computer science: programming, graphic design, web design English: journalism, creative writing, speech and debate Family and consumer science: nutrition, child development, culinary courses Math and Science: environmental science, zoology, astronomy, statistics Social Studies: psychology, anthropology, economics Visual and Performing Arts: drawing, painting, photography, choir, band Looking for even more electives? We've compiled a complete list of high school electives so you can see all the possibilities! How Can You Decide Which Electives to Take? So now that you know electives are cool and important, how do you decide which ones to study? Follow these 5 steps to figure out which electives are best for you! Step 1: Learn Which Electives Your School Offers To find this information, look through your school's course catalog, which most high schools send to students or have available on their website. If you can't find the course catalog, ask your guidance counselor for a copy. Course catalogs list every class a school offers, usually with a 2-3 sentence description for each class. Courses are usually organized by subject (such as math, science etc.) so the electives may not all be grouped together. It's a good idea to at least skim through each section and course description to make sure you know all your options. Even if you don't love you science, your school may offer science electives on topics you find interesting, such as marine biology or forensic science. Electives are a great chance to go beyond your normal academic boundaries! Step 2: Figure Out How Many Electives You'll Be Able to Take If your school doesn't automatically do this,either on your own or with your guidance counselor,draw up a rough plan of the classes you need to take in order to graduate. To figure this out, firstlook at your high school’s graduation requirements. High schools usually require that students complete a certain number of years of math, science, English, social studies, foreign language, and physical education classes, possibly along with some other courses like religion or health. Makeblank spaces to represent the number of classes you can take (for example, if you have eight class periods in a day and your school year is divided into semesters, make a column for each semester of high school you have left and put eight lines under each of those semesters). But I've got a blank space baby, and I'll write your (course) name. Image via Taylor Swift Blank Space Next, fill in each of the required classes you must take. You don't need to know specificcourses right now. If you know you need three years of science to graduate, write â€Å"science† in a blank space under six different semesters. Thenlook at entrance requirements for a few colleges you are interested in and add any additional courses you’ll need to take in order to meet those requirements. Remember to leave room for lunch! Afteryou have filled in all your required classes (it’s a good idea to check your plan over with your guidance counselor), the blank spaces you have left will be when you can take electives! This planning will give you a rough idea of how many electives you'll be able to take in high school. Maybe you have free space every semester and will be able to take a lot of electives, or maybe your required courses take up most of your schedule so you'll only be able to take a few. This is good information to know early because if you know you won't be able to take a lot of electives, you can make those you do take count by choosing the electives you're most interested in.It also prevents you from taking too many electives early on and running out of space for your required classes. Step 3: Decide How Rigorous You Want Your Electives to Be Are you applying to top schools and want your electives to behigh-level or AP courses? Or would you like your electives to be spaces in your schedule that are less demanding and give you more time to focus on other classes? Ifyou're applying to competitive schools and want to show you had a rigorous course load throughout high school, choose honors or AP courses for electives, or possibly higher-level foreign language classes. Some commonAP courses to take as electives include environmental science, statistics, and psychology. Electivesdon’t always need to be demanding courses though, especially if you are already balancing other difficult classes, perhaps with extracurricular activities or a job on top of that. Don'ttake particularly difficult or time-consuming electives if they will cause your grades in core classes to suffer. To decide, think honestly aboutthe competitiveness of the schools you’d like to attend and the amount of time you’ll have in order to determine how difficult the electives you take should be. You can also alternate between harder and less difficult electives, especially if you know a certain year or semester will be more difficult than others. Step 4: Look for Electives Related to Your Academic Focus A good way to develop a strong college application is to have a clear interest in a particular subject (most likely the topic you plan to study in college). This subject can be anything: biology, writing, playing the piano, computer programming... Colleges like to see passion and dedication to a specific topic, and electives are a great way to show them what your interests are. Choose electives that relate to your main academic focus. For example,if you want to major in business, you could take electives in economics, personal finance, and accounting, or if you want to go to med school, you can make sure to take the main AP science courses (AP biology, chemistry, and physics) along with additional science electives like human physiology and nutrition. Not all ofyour electives need to relate to your academic focus, and it’s fine to have more than one area of interest, but at least some of your electives should relate to what you’d like to study in the future to help show colleges that you are well-educated on the subject and are interested in learning a lot about it. Gothrough your school’s list of electives and mark all the ones that relate to your academic focus. Then read through their descriptions to see which ones you find most interesting so you know what electives to take in the future. Step 5: Look for Electives You Find Particularly Interesting As Imentioned above, electives don't always need to relate to your academic focus; it's OKto take a few that just sound cool. Read through your school's course catalog with an open mind, asking yourself the following questions: Do Any of These Electives Relate to Your Hobbies? For example, if you like playing video games, you can take a class incomputer programming, or, if you like fashion, you can take a class in sewing or fashion design.Students oftenget higher grades in classes they're interested in because they are more motivated to learn and study the material. Which Skills Do You Wish You Had? Do you not know how to cook? Do you get nervous speaking in front of audiences? Would you like to know what to do if your car breaks down? Are you thinking about writing a blog but don't know how to start? Electives can help with all of these things! High school is a great time to learn new skills before you head off to college. Some electives that can help you expand your skill set include web design, public speaking, personal finance, and culinary classes. Can Any of the Electives You're Interested in Also Relate to Your Academic Focus? You can get creative with how you connect your electives to what you plan to study in college.When I was in high school,I knew I was going to study biology in college, so most of my electives were science classes. However, I also took a photography class because I thought it sounded interesting. To connect the class to my interest in biology, my final project was a photo catalog of a local forest's tree species that I ended up later using for a biology project on biodiversity. Ifyou do choose to do something like this, make the connection clear for colleges because they may not be able to infer it themselves.Youcan do this by mentioning the connection in your personal statement or asking teachers to include it in their letter of recommendation. Remember,not every elective has to relate to your academic focus, and don’t try to invent connections where none exist. Any of these interest you? Take an electivethat focuses on one of them! Key Takeaways High school electives are important because they offer you a chance to study new topics while providing colleges with another example of your academic abilities and interests. Colleges like to see a deep interest in a particular topic, so at least some of your electives should relate to your academic focus (and remember, there are creative ways to do this.) Also remember to choose electives youare legitimately interested inbecause electives are one of the few areas in high school where you can take pretty much any course you want! What's Next? Looking for a list of all the electives that are offered in high schools? We've got a complete list of electivesfor you! Browse through it to see which subjects strike your fancy. Also thinking about which foreign language to take? Read our complete guide to choosing a foreign language so you know which is the best language for you to study. Considering the AP or IB program? Learn the differences between the two and which program you should take. Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points or your ACT score by 4 points?We've written a guide for each test about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Download it for free now: