The Phillips Academy course of study is a beautiful and terrible thing. For Andover’s population of over-achievers, the tantalizing class descriptions are the epitome of academic temptation. For many students, however, the course of study is ful of ominous phrases: “aggressive reading,” “in depth exploration,” and the dreaded “may require more than the standard four to five hours of homework per week.” It’s difficult to sit down with the cream-colored booklet and stand up having planned a year of classes that are interesting but not overwhelming, both challenging and survivable. Every student tries to find a happy medium between death by advanced electives and a healthy amount of sleep. No matter what classes you end up taking, whether you stick to five courses or petition for seven, there will be something you’re missing out on. That’s the paradox of Andover: It’s wonderful that it offers so many fascinating and varied courses, but you can’t possibly take them all. Andover tries to help the hapless student with these difficult decisions. The course of study explains on page 2, “Each student has an advisor, [who] is expected to guide the student in shaping a well-thought-out, long-term academic program that will incorporate both breadth and depth.” Most advisors give excellent advice and can get their advisees out of sticky situations, when the schedule turns out to be a mistake. However, despite the well organized course of study and the academic advisors, some students aren’t aware of all the possibilities at Andover. Those who “continue the sequence” because it’s strongly suggested (and they can’t be bothered to look through the packet) may often end up taking classes they don’t need to take or holding themselves back. The math bypass exam, be it for 320, 330, or some other course, can save students a great deal of time. True, it requires studying enough to get a 70% on the test, which is no easy feat, but that intense academic effort rewards the student. It lets him or her leap forward in the sequence and provides an opportunity to take a break or an elective later on. Other classes cannot be skipped per se, but there are other ways to manipulate one’s schedule. The music requirement, for instance, can be fulfilled in many ways. Had every freshman known this in time, some probably would have tried to switch into art. They then could have taken instrument lessons for credit, or voice lessons, or sung in choir, or done any number of things. Instead, the art requirement is hanging over their heads, which could easily have been out of the way by the end of freshman year. Here at Andover, “taking a sixth course is considered a privilege and not a right,” explains the course of study on page 4. While academically challenging, a sixth course is a great way for a student to explore a specific interest or talent. Those creatively inclined may petition for an advanced art class, for example. Many students also choose to try a second language, taking advantage of Andover’s faculty. The course of study illustrates only the most conventional way to spend time here, however. When allocating an Andover student’s time, it is important to take into account extracurricular. A six-course load, in addition to being president or board member of a club is enough to take down even the brightest here at Phillips Academy. The best option is to look at the course of study with care. Keep mental health as well as intellectual enthusiasm in mind. Make the most of what Andover’s course of study has to offer for the school year 2006-2007. survivable. Every student tries to find a happy medium between death by advanced electives and a healthy amount of sleep. No matter what classes you end up taking, whether you stick to five courses or petition for seven, there will be something you’re missing out on. That’s the paradox of Andover: It’s wonderful that it offers so many fascinating and varied courses… but you can’t possibly take them all. Andover tries to help the hapless student with these difficult decisions. The course of study explains on page two, “Each student has an advisor, [who] is expected to guide the student in shaping a well-thought-out, long-term academic program that will incorporate both breadth and depth.” Most advisors give excellent advice and can get their advisees out of sticky situations, when the schedule turns out to be a mistake. However, despite the well organized course of study and the academic advisors, some students aren’t aware of all the possibilities at Andover. Those who continue the sequence”because it’s strongly suggested (and they can’t be bothered to look through the packet) may often end up taking classes they don’t need to take or holding themselves back. The math bypass exam, be it for 320 or 330 or some other course, can save students a great deal of time. True, it requires studying enough to get a 70% on the test, which is no easy feat, but that intense academic effort rewards the student. It lets him or her leap forward in the sequence and provides an opportunity to take a break or an elective later on. Other classes cannot be skipped per se, but there are other ways to manipulate one’s schedule. The music requirement, for instance, can be fulfilled in many ways. Had every freshman known this in time, some probably would have tried to switch into art. They then could have taken instrument lessons for credit, or voice lessons, or sung in choir, or done any number of things. Instead, the art requirement is hanging over their heads, which could easily have been out of the way by the end of freshman year. Here at Andover, “taking a sixth course… is considered a privilege and not a right,” explains the course of study on page 4. While academically challenging, a sixth course is a great way for a student to explore a specific interest or talent. Those creatively inclined may petition for an advanced art class, for example. Many students also choose to try a second language, taking advantage of Andover’s wide variety of offerings. The course of study illustrates only the most conventional way to spend time here, however. When allocating an Andover student’s time, it is important to take into account extracurricular. A six-course load, in addition to being president or a board member of a club is enough to take down even the brightest here at Phillips Academy. So take a look at the course of study with care. Keep mental health as well as intellectual enthusiasm in mind. Make the most of what Andover’s course of study has to offer for the school year 2006-2007.
