At the start of every school year, students expect a fresh start with classes they’re excited to attend. For some students, that excitement quickly turns into disappointment when their schedules don’t match what they hoped for.

One of the biggest reasons for schedule conflicts is sports. Student-athletes often have limited availability because practices and games take up a huge part of their day. For example, a student who plays volleyball might not be able to take a certain class because it’s only offered during their practice period. 

This can force them to choose between something in the fine arts and something they’re committed to inside of school.

“I wanted to take art, but I haven’t been able to get in for two years,” sophomore Dylan Seraphine said. 

Something similar happened to another student, sophomore Adaya Dedmon.

“I’ve been trying to get into art, but I can’t due to soccer and basketball,” Dedmon said.

 Stories like this are common, especially for students who are involved in multiple activities.

Another issue students face is simply not getting into the classes they want. Some classes fill up quickly, especially electives. When that happens, students are often placed into backup classes that they may not be interested in. 

This can make school feel less engaging and more like something they just have to get through.

Counselors try their best to balance schedules, but with so many students and limited class space, it’s not always possible to give everyone exactly what they want. This leaves some students feeling disappointed or stuck in classes that don’t match their goals.

Even though schedule conflicts are frustrating, many students learn to adapt. Some discover new interests in unexpected classes, while others plan for the next year to avoid the same problems.