Advice on high school class selection?

A little stressed here. Not sure what classes should I take in high school that would look good on my college application. Any suggestions or personal experiences would be a great help.

In deciding your high school course load, consider a balance that demonstrates academic rigor and aligns with your interests or potential career paths. Colleges typically value students who challenge themselves acadically, so consider taking AP or IB courses if available at your school. However, this does not mean you should overload yourself to the point of being overwhelmed.

When looking at specific subject areas, consider the following:

1. Core subjects: Aim to complete at least four years of English, four years of math (up to calculus if possible), three or four years of laboratory science (biology, chemistry and physics), three or four years of social science (history, economics, geography, or government), and two to four years of a foreign language. It's okay if your strengths align more with either humanities or STEM—just make sure you have a solid foundation across all subjects.

2. Electives: Choose courses that align with your interests or intended major—whether that’s computer science, drama, art, business, or something else. Taking electives related to your intended major could potentially strengthen your application, as it shows your dedication and interest in that particular subject.

3. AP/IB Courses: As mentioned before, AP and IB classes can show colleges that you're challenging yourself academically. Plus, doing well in these classes and their respective exams can earn you college credit. However, remember that the grades you earn in these classes are important too, so only take as many as you feel you can handle without your grades suffering.

4. Balance: While it's impressive to see students push themselves with harder classes, don't do it at the expense of your mental health or extracurriculars. It's crucial to maintain a balance.

Remember, colleges are more interested in the rigor of your high school curriculum than whether you’ve chosen every AP course available. Proving you can take on advanced coursework in high school suggests you'll be able to handle similar coursework in college. However, they’re looking for authentic interest, not just padding your transcript.

In the end, each college will have slightly different expectations of what an applicant should have taken in high school, so a little research into the specific requirements of your target schools can also be helpful!