Fun Classes to Take in College

For many students, the college class selection process focuses primarily on what’s needed to earn a degree. However, if you don’t look beyond the expected, you’ll miss out on plenty of fun classes to take in college that will expand your horizons. In these four years, you have the opportunity to explore niche interests, learn about something brand new, and even pad your transcript with some easy high grades.

Before diving into electives, it’s important to understand the foundation of your academic path—what a major in college actually is. Once you’ve grasped that, ask yourself these 11 questions about college classes, make sure you fulfill your program requirements, and then open your mind and your schedule to fun electives to fill in the gaps.

Fun Classes to Take in College

oneFilm Studies

This is one of the easiest college classes for many students. Who doesn’t love watching movies and talking about them? You’ll learn about different aesthetics, production ideas, and the meaning behind films, but most of it is non-technical. People who love pop culture through the years will get a lot out of it, as will visual learners.

twoArt History or Creation

This is a lot like film studies, but for paintings, sculptures, and similar static media. You’ll get exposed to many different artwork styles and talk about why they’re great, why they matter, and how they reflect on the time period they were made in. Classes can also teach you drawing, painting, photography, and other types of creative, hands-on activities.

threeMusic Appreciation

Similar to the two classes above in scope, this popular elective option focuses on music through the ages. There are both general courses and ones focused on specific time periods, genres, or even individual artists. For example, Taylor Swift classes exist at NYU and Texas University, a Beyonce elective at Rutgers, and a K-Pop seminar at Skidmore College.

fourCreative (Or General) Writing

Every students needs to write well, so colleges often have introductory classes in general, professional, or creative writing. This can cover anything from essay format to proper emails to short stories and poems. You’ll find a variety of fun electives centered on expressing yourself through the written word.

fiveDance, Yoga, or Similar Physical Classes

Exercise skill-based options are some of the easiest classes to take in college. Not only can you learn a few more dance moves to look great at the club on weekends, but you can stay in shape at the same time. Combine that with getting a high grade on your transcript, and you can’t lose. Stanford University even had a class about choreography called “Hot Mess & Deliberate Failure as Practice” that focuses on poor dance techniques to get over the fear of having two left feet.

sixCooking or Nutrition

While some colleges don’t have cooking classes because they don’t have a student-accessible kitchen, most will offer introductory ones for nutrition or healthy eating. These are fun, social experiences that teach you valuable skills for your whole life. You can also learn these things as part of a nutritionist, social work, culinary, or medical career program.

sevenPersonal Finance

Forget economic theories and complex statistical computations. Introductory classes for personal finance understanding simply help you manage your money, build a budget, and make good choices throughout your life. Many people at college age know some of these things already, and those who don’t should learn them before graduating.

So far, all the listed fun classes blend ease with importance or general interest topics. The following options are some of the weirdest college courses offered in the United States.

eightWine Tasting – Geography of Wine

While you’d have to be 21 to take this class, which makes it a senior-year or continuing education option for most, it is certainly unique. Learn about different wine-growing regions, historical changes, and how to taste wine like an expert. Not only is this class fun and delicious, but it could help you impress high-class networking targets in future business.

nineIce Cream Fun Elective

Although only a short course at Penn State, this can earn you some college credits. Learn things like history, manufacturing, flavor profiles, and other frozen dessert creations. Although certainly not available at all schools, this is just an example of similar ones. They are most commonly offered in places known for that particular food, such as citrus fruit electives in Florida.

tenTree Climbing

No, this isn’t a career-oriented class for arborists. Instead, it’s a fun and kinda weird elective that lets anyone physically capable of climbing get high into the trees and look at things from a different perspective. It includes information about how to use ropes and climbing gear, general safety, and important tips on how not to fall and get hurt.

elevenSurfing

The main requirement of finding a college course in this discipline is access to the coast and waves. It’s one of the more unique physical education requirements that students must fulfill. Instead of running around a track or lifting weights, you get to get up on a board, enjoy the sunny weather, and explore the thrill of surfboards and balance.

twelveJapanese (or Other) Swordsmanship

While you can find fencing as an active elective at many colleges and universities, sometimes the classes get more specific as with this one at George Washington University. You will learn about Kendo and even historical methods of the samurai. Different regions and specialties are also available in college, such as the Drexel ‘highlander’ experience or Beginning Longsword training at Cuesta College.

Zombie Classes

If you have a strong interest in the undead and want a fun college elective to explore, you can find plenty about zombies across the country. At U of Nebraska, dive into zombie neuroscience from the psychology department. In Colorado, they offer a popular culture/media elective that covers Caribbean zombies and the mythical figure. There are even a few classes at various schools that teach you how to survive the apocalypse if zombies should actually arise.

Save the hardest college courses for your degree program requirements. Fill the rest of your schedule with these cool classes and easy electives that will make learning fun and expand your mind in new, exciting directions.

College life can get expensive fast, so learning how to manage your money is key. Start with Easy College Meals to cut food costs and explore How to Budget as a College Student for practical tips to make your budget go further.

And if you’re still exploring your ideal campus, these articles can help you choose the right fit:

College is what you make of it—choose wisely, live smart, and have a little fun along the way.