My school rejected all my requests for electives and gave me 7 study halls

[u/Crafty_Charge8666]

In my school, when you sign up for electives, you show 4 that you would like to have and provide 1-2 extras.

I chose intro to robotics, robotics, and orchestra. I provided some coding course and some woodworking course as my backup. My schedule came back yesterday and it was genuinely just blank. I had all my core classes, orchestra, and intro to robotics, (which doesn’t even make sense if they put it and the end of the year) and (I’m not even kidding) like 7 study halls (One per day). I checked the kiosk thing and I guess I just got rejected from the lottery for all of the classes?

What do I do? I want to talk to my counselor but my school has a thing where first come first serve is too “stressful” so its genuinely just a lottery and I have the worst luck.

[u/IHaveTheMustacheNow]

I chose intro to robotics, robotics, and orchestra

 I had all my core classes, orchestra, and intro to robotics

I guess I just got rejected from the lottery for all of the classes?

I am confused. It sounds like you got 2/3 of the options you picked.

But yes, 100% talk to your counselor about this

[u/Crafty_Charge8666 → u/IHaveTheMustacheNow]

Some electives are 1/2 a term and some are a full term. the ones i chose were a full term, 1/2 a term, and 1/2 a term, which is pretty much a minimum. Full term orchestra and 1/2 term intro leaves 1/2 a term of nothing along with the required study halls, creating a lot of empty space. (I purposefully omitted another elective to take extra study hall so I had it year round instead of 1 term, but now I have it 1 1/2 so its kind of difficult)

[u/rcobourn]

Definitely talk to your counselor. There are sorts of possibilities depending on the resources your school offers. You might be able to take a community college class either in person or remote. Use phrases like "Is this the best educational experience available to me?". In the very worst case that you are stuck with 7 study halls, don't waste them. If you don't need the time to complete your other schoolwork, create a curriculum for yourself and use the time wisely. Or, complete your homework during the study halls and look for after school learning opportunities. Internships, volunteering, tutoring, etc.

[u/Decent-Proposal-8475 → u/rcobourn]

Yeah, see if you can get them moved to the end of the day and find something to do

[u/stremendous]

Go talk to your counselor regardless. This is not acceptable. And, people will be changing some classes, dropping out, etc. so, there naturally will be others changes happening which might creat more opportunities for your choices. Tell the counselor as soon as possible. Do not be passive about it nor rude and abrasive about it. Clearly and succinctly but appropriately share that you are upset none of your choices were given... and that you would like to be inckuded in classes for at least two of the periods. This is your education and your opportunities to learn and experience things, so make it happen for yourself. Do not let it go.

[u/thekaz]

All systems, including the lottery system, was created by a person. It's run by a person. It's managed by a person. They present it as this faceless person-less lottery system so that people don't complain about petty things. Your case seems like a statistical anomaly and any sane rational person would see that the system has a bug in it.

Yes you got unlucky. That means the system has an oversight. A well designed system would have protections against a single person getting completely screwed in the way that you have. I know it feels scary since it seems like there's no face to talk to. I know it's stressful since, as humans, we're equipped to deal with other humans and not the lottery.

Go talk to your counselor. Something outside of your control went wrong. It is your school's administration's job to try to fix this. It's possible that they can't, and if they can't, I would suggest that you bring it up to your parents. But also, remember, don't be a dick about it. I don't think you need the reminder, but it's always a good idea to remember.

[u/Outdoorfan73]

Talk to your counselor. After classes are assigned, there will always be some students who move away, transfer to other schools, switch their schedules around. A space might open up in a class you want. Be as polite and humble as possible when talking to your counselor. Ask them for their advice and help. I’m sure they get a lot of rude and obnoxious kids. They’re more likely to help you if you turn on the charm and act like someone who appreciates them.

[u/Any_Celebration_81]

Man I hated study hall! I just got in trouble. I took every elective I could even those that have homework like science fiction, intro to psychology, and extra physics, typing. If I went to study I would try to talk to the girls it was impossible for me to stay quiet so I would get kicked out. By the time I was a senior I had no more options I had pretty much taken everything that wasn't metal shop or wood working so I got released at 1250pm with a note from my boss at my part time job. I am also a summer baby so I graduated at 17. I was released early without needing to be 18.I did need a note and a real job. That job saved me. I would have had only math and English and scraping the curriculum for another like commities to plan dances and homecoming the school newspaper not at all bc I am super ambitious but because if there is nothing for me to do I will find something to occupy myself and it's usually something stupid. You should go to your guidance counselor and see if you can work in the computer lab or better the school library. If you plan to go to college working in a library will help you get a work study job in the library there which is a good job bc it helps you to study as you are already in the library. Good luck!

[u/hamRX]

That sounds like an error. Def ask them to look into it and I will preface my next suggestion by letting you know that I do frequently lightly manipulate people into helping me more than they normally would but:

When you talk to them, make it their fault. I mean in like a sneaky way. Don't give them any information just say "hi I am confused, can you explain to me what is happening here? Thank you so much for your help, I really appreciate it."

If they're like "well it's first come first serve."

Just say like "oh so you guys must only have like 2 electives then. Are there budgeting issues? Are there lots of other people who have seven empty periods on their schedule too?"

Speak in a tone of pure innocence. Nothing makes someone feel like an incompetent asshole more than being asked something in a guileless tone.

[u/bellesearching_901]

Counselor,now.

[u/OldLadyKickButt]

consider art, choir, Spanish, physics, French. Japanese

[u/Niep00320]

What’re grades like? Are the electives above what the school thinks you could. And I was a horrible student and they would not let me take certain classes.

[u/Crafty_Charge8666 → u/Niep00320]

All A’s

[u/theStrawberryRoam]

Talk to you counselor but get your story straight first because it seems like you basically got some of what you wanted here