It’s about time to start thinking about class registration for next semester. Not for me, mind you, because I’m outta here. However, for all you unlucky souls, it’s time to start planning. Everyone needs electives, but there’s not really a good place to go for advice on electives, especially the really important information, like how easy the classes are.

I decided to dig deep into my immense wisdom and that of some of my friends, in order to help you out. As a senior graduating in December, I feel like I need to pass on my experience to all future generations before I die off, or at least graduate.

Environmental Studies 324 (Energy and the Environment) — Easy A: Yes.

This class is taught by the wonderful Dr. William Simpkins. He’s an environmentalist and drives a Prius. You might even get the chance to drive it, on one of the several field trips you go on in this class. (Field trips!) The information in this class is really important, and it’s actually a really fun class. The tests are super easy if you even pay the slightest attention, and touring the ISU power plant and the ethanol plant in Nevada is easily worth taking the class.

Human Development & Family Studies 283 (Personal & Family Finance) — Easy A: Yes.

I actually think this class should be required to graduate. With financial issues being a leading cause of divorce, it just makes sense to have everyone that graduates from Iowa State have a basic understanding of everything financial. This class covers everything from banking, stocks, mutual funds and bond markets, to insurance. It’s something everyone should know, so do yourself a favor and take it as an elective.

Economics 101 & 102 online (Micro and Macro Economics) — Easy A: Yes.

I suggest taking the online versions of both of these, as the website they use is pretty incredible. You can do all of your assignments (one per week) on the site, including an easy-to-use graphing tool. The assignments follow your book exactly and the test questions are basically word-for-word from the optional review on the site. Here’s the thing about the open-book format of these classes: The amount that I learned and retained from these classes has to be in the top five of all my classes at Iowa State. I wish that all the other professors that taught online classes took notes from Dr. Lisa Gundersen, who teaches the online version of these classes. Highly recommended.

Political Science 215 (American Government)  — Easy A: Yes.

This class is another one similar to HDFS 283, it should probably be required of all students. If you go to class and pay attention, you’ll do well, and the information is important. It covers everything about American government, including political parties, voting, the Constitution and important topical discussions. Dr. Steffen Schmidt is very knowledgeable and really passionate about the subject, which makes the class infinitely more enjoyable.

Any religious studies class taught by Hector Avalos — Easy A: No.

Saying Dr. Avalos is a knowledgeable professor is an understatement. He definitely knows his stuff. As a internationally known atheist and author, he will definitely challenge your religious beliefs. If you’re a Christian, don’t go to one of his classes expecting the same interpretations you get from Salt Company or church. However, if you’re up for the challenge, Dr. Avalos has a lot of challenge to offer. He’s also very personable and approachable.

Wild card:

Art History 489 (The History of Sequential Art [comics!]) — Easy A: No.

In the College of Design, Dr. John Cunnally is known for the massive amounts of work in his classes. The problem is this … it’s all really interesting, and he’s a really good teacher. I hadn’t ever opened a comic book in my life before taking this class, and while the work was, at times, burdensome, it was never boring. If Dr. Cunnally is offering this class in the future, you should be taking it.

Certainly there are many other interesting classes out there and the best way to find them is talking to people. Ask upperclassmen in your dorm or house for classes that were interesting. Don’t waste your precious electives on things you’re not interested in. Your regular classes are hard enough without the drain of a class you hate.