When you get to high school, your schedule won’t be all required classes. You’ll actually get to pick some of your own — and those are called electives. Think of them as the “choose your own adventure” part of your school day.

So What Exactly Is an Elective?

An elective is any class that isn’t mandated by your graduation requirements. While everyone has to take English, math, science, and social studies, electives are extras you select based on your interests. These can range from photography and band to computer science and culinary arts — it really depends on what your school offers.

Why Electives Actually Matter

Electives aren’t just “fun fillers.” They help you figure out what you’re genuinely good at and passionate about. A kid who takes intro to journalism might discover they want to write for a living. Someone who tries drawing might end up in architecture. Electives are low-stakes ways to explore before committing to a career path.

They also matter for college applications. Admissions officers look at whether students pursued interests outside of core academics — taking electives that align with your goals shows intentionality.

How Many Can You Take?

Most high schools allow students to take 1–3 electives per semester, depending on the total number of class periods in a school day. As you move from freshman to senior year, you typically get more elective slots as you finish required courses.

Bottom line: Don’t just pick electives to fill space. Use them to try something new, deepen a skill, or explore a potential career — you might surprise yourself.