8 Classes I Should Have Taken in College

Today, I was thinking about the economic crisis, which I’ve been trying hard to make some sense of. Every time I pick up a newspaper or turn on the news, I think to myself, “Mortgage backed security what?”
These days, I’m wondering why in the world I didn’t take economics in college.
So, here, for what it’s worth, is a list of classes that I should have taken in college, but did not. All of these, in hindsight, would have provided me with knowledge that would have been helpful in some way in my life. Perhaps it will help you out when you’re thinking of classes to take next semester!

1) Microeconomics and Macroeconomics
Do you fully understand why our economy is in the toilet? Me either. I took lots of history and political science classes in college, which has given me a good understanding of our political system to a degree, but I would sure understand things better if I understood the economic side of things.

2) World Religions
You know, I sometimes get a little annoyed when people don’t know the basic things about what it means to be Jewish, or what any of the holidays I celebrate are about, other than Hanukkah. But you know what? I’m a hypocrite because I only have limited knowledge about other people’s religions too, other than Christianity, which you learn about by default when you live in the U.S. In a global economy and diverse world, I think we’d all get along a little better if we understood a little about how other people worship God and deal with the most important questions of human existence.

3) Spanish
I could kick myself for not taking Spanish in high school and college. I took German, despite the fact that Herr Storm, the German teacher in high school, was about 300 years old and spent most of the time telling us war stories and not teaching us German. And whatever German I learned I barely remember because I never get a chance to use it. But if I’d learned Spanish, I could use it all the time, as it’s used so frequently in this country.

4) Theater Appreciation
This is kind of more specific to my situation. I went to college in New Brunswick, NJ, and theater appreciation students took the train in to see Broadway shows for some ridiculously low price. Now that I live 1,500 miles from Broadway, i could kick myself for not taking advantage of this.

5. Stress Management
Arrrrrrrrrrgggggggggggggghhhh, I can’t believe I didn’t take this classs!!!!!!!!!!!
But seriously. If stress management is available to you in college, take it. It will come in handy during college — and after.

6) Advanced Expository Writing
If you’re interested in writing as a career, or in a career that’s going to be writing intensive, you should definitely take this class. It’s all about how to be a strong writer, and it gives you an advanced understanding of language. Since I’m a professional writer these days, I like to think I’ve picked some of this up on my own, but I bet that class would have helped me.

7) Photography
Seriously, that would have been so much fun! And my blogs would look nicer.

8 ) Public Speaking
Actually, I did take this. In fact, I taught it. I’m just including it into the list to tell you that YOU need to take it too. Please don’t let public speaking scare you. Everyone’s scared of public speaking, and they still wind up finding out that this is one of the most valuable classes you can take in college. No matter what you do with your life, you’re going to need to communicate with others verbally, and this class is one of the best ways to help you get over your fears and learn.