Every year, students at Morris Hills High School face the important decision of choosing their schedule for the following year. While this process can be stressful, it can also be a rewarding experience for many.

One common challenge that all students face–regardless of grade level–is deciding which elective to take. Students often find themselves torn between electives that enhance their academic journey, such as honors and AP courses, those that provide personal enjoyment, and those that fulfill graduation requirements.

For those in specialized programs at Morris Hills, including Magnet, the Academy, and Aviation, the dilemma becomes even more complicated. Required classes occupy valuable elective space, making it harder to fit into the courses they would like. So, what should you, as a high school student, do?

The solution is simple yet often overlooked in our school environment: the GT program. This program is designed for students who wish to go beyond the standard curriculum by exploring a variety of subjects.

Students have the option to take online courses through Educere or attend in-person classes at the County College of Morris. Both options aim to prepare the student with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in their chosen program.

The GT program offers significant flexibility, allowing students to earn full, half, and even quarter credits for their overall graduation requirements. Many students also use the GT program as a valuable resource to self-study for their AP tests. By taking these courses through Educere or at the County College of Morris, students can deepen their understanding of AP subjects and better prepare for the exam, making it an excellent tool for AP test preparation.

This program can be started at any time and can even be partially completed over the summer, providing students the opportunity to work at their own pace.

Ishita Banerjee, a senior at Hills, is doing a self-taught GT in Astronomy and Cosmology. She is currently studying the different instruments used to figure out our cosmos. For her GT project, she made a fully functioning sundial that accurately predicted the time based on the rotation of the Earth, which affected the position of the Sun.

“Since in college there are often less interactive assignments and you often need to self-study, I feel like the independent GT program helps prepare students to learn how to study,” Ishita said.