One of the best parts about college is having an endless number of courses to chose from that can satisfy almost any interest. Whether it’s arts or science, math or criminology or something in-between, there seems to always be something for everybody. And though choosing your favorite courses can often help breathe life into an otherwise dull semester, having to take classes that don’t pertain to your interest or major can suck it right out.

Unlike high school, college provides the unique opportunity of allowing students to pursue interests they may otherwise not outside of campus. Alongside that, the variety of classes also gives them a chance to follow a passion they may have otherwise never discovered. Despite the fact that students should be filling their credits with classes they’re passionate about, they’re often left stuck in the ones they care little about.

While anyone can and should appreciate the diversity of a good education, some courses, particularly ones that don’t pertain to a student’s major, are more often than not unnecessary.

Take a music major, for example. Most likely, no aspiring musician wants to take a scientific lab, let alone another math course. The same thing could be said about a math or engineering major; why would you force them to take a poetry class to fill an arts and humanities requirement when they could be taking another physics class that’s going to benefit them in the long-run?

As someone with a major that has a large emphasis on writing, and as someone who is taking a variety of general education courses, I can vouch for the fact that some classes I’m required to take are often needless. At least, it feels that way at times.

A good and meaningful education should include a number of classes that help cover topics and issues that may not otherwise be addressed in the real world. However, when I’m forced to take four required math courses instead of ones that pertain to my major and minor, I’m left feeling defeated.

Aside from that, the majority of the courses are similar, if not almost exactly like the ones in high school. Essentially, it feels as if I’m paying extra thousands of dollars to learn about something I already have. Not only that, but the information being taught will most likely never be used again.

I understand, as I’m sure the majority of students do, how important it is to have a basic foundation of knowledge when it comes to subjects such as math, science, English and history. The problem, however, arises when the courses required merely feel like a waste of time.

While I do want to be a well-rounded individual, I also want to be an expert in my field. And, at this point in my college career, I would much rather be learning about ethics, politics or international relations than how to find “x.”