Rocky Mountain’s counselors reported around 1,000 paper forms for schedule change requests. During the first week back after winter break at Rocky Mountain High School, students have the chance to change out of their unwanted classes. Students flocked to the table that was set outside the counseling office, grabbing papers and glancing at the available classes roster. Some classes filled up quicker than others, while others couldn’t be applied to at all. Rocky’s counselor for last names R-Z, Yvette Melbihess, stated that there were ‘probably thousands since Rocky has around 2,000 students. Each of the counselors receive their share of paper requests submitted by students. Although there is a lot to work through, they only have a little extra work. They don’t feel as if they are overloaded with work.

“Well since we only have, like, the week, there’s [only] so many days to make changes” said Melbihess on the extra work. The counselors have until January 9, and after that any schedule changes submitted after may be denied. After that deadline, you can’t drop out unless you want to take an F on your transcript for that class.

While Rocky Mountain’s counselors worked away at helping students change out of or into classes, some students didn’t even consider it worth it to switch. Some believe it was too much of a hassle while others felt as if there were no interesting classes left. Some classes offered were yearlong or required a class leading up to it. Some classes, like freshman cornerstone, were especially hard to get out of. In order to opt out, students were asked to send a short letter to the principal with reasoning and to have their parents fill out a form.

Some students didn’t even hesitate and knew exactly what class they wanted to switch out of.

Kira Morley simply said, “Photography.” The only thing stopping Morley, a ninth grader at Rocky, is the fact that it’s the middle of the year, and her parents wouldn’t let her give up on that class. She believes that photography isn’t enjoyable. Although some people choose or wish to switch out of an elective class, Sophie Thompson, another ninth grader, wished she could get out her math class or Spanish class.

“I would say Spanish is hard sometimes.” Thompson said. She didn’t have the opportunity to switch out, but if she had, she would have wanted to switch out of that language.  Although students like Sophie and Kira had wishes to switch out of a class but ultimately didn’t, the case was different for Jeannie Wilson. Jeannie had switched out of advanced guitar, a class she didn’t like.

“It was definitely worth it,” Jeannie said, recalling her experience with switching out of a class. “It took, like, a day.”

At the end of the day, the choice is up to you. Rocky offers a wide selection of classes to choose from, and as long as your form was turned over to the counselors by January 9, you may be able to get into that class you wanted.