10th Grade Schedule

Pre-College Issues High School Life
1

<p>Is this a good 10th grade schedule? </p>

<p>Courses:
AP Biology
AP English Language
APUSH
AP Macroeconomics
AP Microeconomics
Algebra II
Pre-Calculus
Rock Climbing (PE)
Band/Orchestra
Computer Science (CS50)
Spanish V*
Russian III</p>

<p>Clubs:
Model UN
Science Olympiad
National Spanish Exam
Maryland Classic Youth Orchestras (MCYO)
Potomac Valley Youth Orchestras (PVYO)
New Life Youth Orchestra
King's Cathedral Youth Band Program
Lion's Club Honors Band
Mid-Atlantic Music Invitational
West Virginia University Honors Bands
Running (I'm homeschooled, so not doing 'track' officially)</p>

<p>*I really didn't want to take 6 APs this year, so I backed off on AP Spanish another year. Is this the right decision? </p>

<p>Will this schedule overload me? I participated in all the clubs that I'm doing this year last year, with the exception of the Model UN; however, I was a TA in the Adventures in Science program at NIST. I'm dropping that this year. Last year, I only took three APs (Chem, Music Theory, Govt). I received 5s in Chem and Music, but dropped a 4 on Government. So with that track record for a 9th grade year...what do you think? I want to maintain a social life (yes, homeschoolers do have social lives), but I definitely want to challenge myself. I know I want to take AP Calc BC next year, so Alg II and PreCalc have to happen. I'm considering dropping Russian next year, but if continuing my study of this language will help significantly for college admissions, I want to continue. I like the language a lot--I'm just not sure I'll have the time for it. </p>

2

<p>First of all, it’s great that you’re working in so many courses and activities.
However, take a moment to ask yourself something.</p>

<p>Can you REALLY, I mean, REALLY manage all of that? </p>

<p>I personally had this situation, so I’ll just copy-paste that for you. Don’t worry, I asked myself this many times, and by mid-year, I conceded.</p>

<p>Can you REALLY, I mean, REALLY manage all of that? </p>

<p>Alright, let’s delve into it.</p>

<p>That’s 5 rigorous AP courses, on top of Precalculus, a CS course, and two later-year language courses. On top of potentially prepping for SAT IIs and SAT I/ACT, you still have to deal with passing 5 APs and completing coursework for over 10 classes. How will you find time to eat lunch? Talk to your friends? I don’t see how to fit 10 classes into each day for a whole year (although it’s probably by rotating blocks, which is still pretty heavy of a course load).</p>

<p>Don’t overwork yourself. </p>

<p>Also, the clubs. You have a great sense of community and club participation, but I think by second term Sophomore year, you should start to drop some of the minor clubs to gain a larger and more active role in those few that you love the most. Pick 3 or 4 at the most, and give all your effort into those. Become a club leader/president/head by senior year in those, and you’re way better off than being officers or regular members of several. Also, as a current member of Science Olympiad and Model UN, I can say that those two clubs take a HUGE time commitment, one that is much larger than you expect initially.</p>

<p>HOWEVER, in the case that all those ECs/Clubs are just sub-sections of a general “music/band” EC, then that’s fine (like, you just perform in separate groups throughout the year). Better, actually, to show that you’re involved so much in music.</p>

<p>As for the National Spanish Exam, just take Spring Break to study for it. It should be easy to make Gold using that week of study before the exam if you’ve had a good course throughout the year. Science Olympiad, on the other hand, is essentially adding on another class, albeit self-studied, for each event you are involved in for the whole year. Model UN is essentially Debate + History Forum + Public Speaking put together, and you should consider attending 2-3 conferences at the least for the club (conferences will take at least a week beforehand of preparation and research). And on top of your homework and studying for standardized testing, you’ll still need to practice your music daily to remain in prime shape since you’re involved in many different orchestras and bands.</p>

<p>I know that as a sophomore in the beginning of the year I had a very similar course load. By mid-year, I had narrowed it down a lot, and this was simply due to being forced to retain a good GPA and still get at least 6 hours of sleep every night. So, no, I did NOT want to quit a few clubs, but I was rather forced to by my listing of priorities.</p>

<p>The best thing, however, is to experiment before choosing, so in the long run, stick with your activities for a few weeks and then choose what you have to drop when you need to.</p>

<p>But you also asked me to rate your schedule. Well, by my honest opinion, it would be either a 9.5/10 due to its rigor, or just a 1/10 from its impracticality. Your aspiration and motivation though? 10/10, absolutely!
Keep aiming high, but think realistically afterwards, and you’ll do great.</p>

3

<p>Holy crap. My 10th grade schedule is crap compared to this </p>

4

<p>I would only take one history/social science , you can take economics next year, also you could do algebra 2 this year, precalc junior and calc senior year. If you want to do two languages thats fine I guess. You will be very busy with core classes being mostly AP and want to have time for music and clubs also.</p>

5

<p>“Can you REALLY, I mean, REALLY manage all of that?”</p>

<p>Honest answer: I don’t know. I know my older brother managed to take 5 APs his sophomore year (same except for Bio–he took Chem instead). He got 5s on all of them except lang, in which he received a 4. I’m an older 10th grader though, so I might be able to do better. I’ll also be taking the Bio SATIIs and the US History SATIIs, which I’m a little worried about.</p>

<p>I took three APs last year. I’m anticipating Bio to be about the same amount of work as Chem, Lang to be about the same as Music Theory, and APUSH to be a little harder than Government (ok, maybe a lot harder). Then I’m adding two ‘easy’ APs–Micro and Macro economics, which I’ll be taking at Montgomery College. Each course only lasts a semester, and afterwards I’ll have time to review, so I’m thinking that macro/micro will really feel like 1.25 APs. But once I add all the other courses on…</p>

<p>If anything drops, I’m thinking CS will be the first thing to go, as I’m already planning on taking AP Comp Sci next year. I could also drop Russian III, but am not sure if that’s a good/bad idea in terms of how college admissions will see it. I love the language, but I’m not sure if it’s worth my time to continue during the school year… Advice? </p>

<p>“How will you find time to eat lunch? Talk to your friends? I don’t see how to fit 10 classes into each day for a whole year (although it’s probably by rotating blocks, which is still pretty heavy of a course load).”</p>

<p>I’m homeschooled, so that will save me some time! :slight_smile: No busy work, I can work during lunch, I can sleep in and stay up late, etc.</p>

<p>“Also, the clubs. You have a great sense of community and club participation, but I think by second term Sophomore year, you should start to drop some of the minor clubs to gain a larger and more active role in those few that you love the most. Pick 3 or 4 at the most, and give all your effort into those. Become a club leader/president/head by senior year in those, and you’re way better off than being officers or regular members of several. Also, as a current member of Science Olympiad and Model UN, I can say that those two clubs take a HUGE time commitment, one that is much larger than you expect initially.”</p>

<p>Yeah. I’m currently captain of Pilgrimage Homeschool’s Science Olympiad team. We had 11 kids on our Div. B team this year, and most were weak (7th graders, a few 8th graders, and 2 ninth graders). I spent ~20 hours/week on it–no kidding. I coached kids, figured out schedules, and studied! Our team ended up winning states, and placing 19th at Nationals, even though we had an awful day. My scores were: 4th place Shock Value, 5th place Sounds of Music, 6th place Crime Busters, 7th place Disease Detectives, 9th place Meteorology, 9th place Experimental Design. </p>

<p>Next year, I’ll be assistant coach for the middle school team and co-captain of the Div. C. Pilgrimage team. The Div. C team is weaker, but I think that we might have a chance at making nationals this coming year. Anyway, this is probably my largest ‘leadership’ position. </p>

<p>Oh, I forgot to mention…I’ll be taking Epidemiology from CDC…I basically took the course last year, but I’ll be doing a little more studying for it, and then I’ll do the homework and take the chapter tests and final exam (online). That will be counted as a credit also, although I’ll be doing it during the summer, so it shouldn’t affect my course load during the school year. </p>

<p>The music stuff–I’ve got 3 once-a-week bands/orchestras, 1 once-a-month orchestra that goes overseas on missions every year to perform at orphanages, slums, prisons, hospitals, etc., and a few honors bands/orchestras that meet for one or two weekends. Besides that, I play Clarinet (8 yrs), Bassoon (2 yrs, but everyone wants me 'cause there are never any bassoons), Saxophone (5 yrs), and Piano (13 yrs). I’m involved in the National Piano Guild–I’ve done that for 7 yrs, so I’m some sort of ‘exalted member’. I’m thinking of dropping Piano, however, since Bassoon and Clarinet are more unique. What do you think? </p>

<p>As for saxophone, I only play sax in jazz band. I also play solos for my grandparents church on clarinet and sax, and at Christmas time my family plays at various churches and nursing homes. So…I’m thinking that it’d be best to drop the piano, but I’m unsure…</p>

<p>I’ll be doing the Model UN at Montgomery college (that’s where I’m taking Micro, Macro, and Rock-Climbing). My older brother is Head Delegate. This is another club where I’d like to have a leadership role. </p>

<p>Anyway, my clubs generally fit into 3 buckets: Science Olympiad, Model UN, and Music. I could quit a few Music clubs if I need to. I’ve got ‘leadership’ roles in each of them, as I’m principal clarinet/bassoon in most of them (the exceptions this year were Lions Club Honors Band and Potomac Valley Youth Orchestra). </p>

<p>Then I’ve got another dilemma: I’ve been asked to TA next year for AP Government, and if I want to, I could TA for AP Chem. Should I take either, none, or both of those opportunities? TAing for Gov’t should only take 1-2 hrs/week, but Chem would be more like 3 hrs/week at a minimum. </p>

<p>“By mid-year, I had narrowed it down a lot, and this was simply due to being forced to retain a good GPA and still get at least 6 hours of sleep every night.”</p>

<p>Ha Ha. My body is requiring a minimum of 10 hrs of sleep every night right now…let’s just say I’m growing really fast! :slight_smile: Hopefully I can back that off to 8 hrs for next year. </p>

<p>Thanks for all the help!! </p>

6

<p>“Holy crap. My 10th grade schedule is crap compared to this”</p>

<p>Probably not. :slight_smile: If you’re doing the best your high school allows…then that’s all you can do! I’m homeschooled, so I have the luxury of choosing exactly what I want. :slight_smile: I’m also relieved from the boredom of busy work. :slight_smile: </p>

7

<p>“I would only take one history/social science , you can take economics next year, also you could do algebra 2 this year, precalc junior and calc senior year. If you want to do two languages thats fine I guess. You will be very busy with core classes being mostly AP and want to have time for music and clubs also.”</p>

<p>Hmm…I’m thinking that I wanna do APUSH because the teacher is GREAT! And economics I’m taking at Montgomery College, and I’ve already paid, so it’s hard to back out now. Besides which, I’m kinda looking forward to it. I’m taking it with a stellar teacher (or so says rate my professors) and my older brother loved it when he took it. </p>

<p>As for the maths, I’ll probably just do Alg. II during the school year (and a little in the summer before). Pre-Calc will mostly be done in the summer. That way, I can do AP Calc BC junior year, and be free for more advanced maths senior year. </p>

<p>I might drop Russian, but Spanish will definitely continue. </p>

8

<p>@Azismith: I’d recommend not rushing through Algebra II and Precalculus. Have you looked at the offerings from the Art of Problem Solving? Also, I’d suggest dropping one foreign language class, one social studies/history class, and a few clubs.</p>

<p>As a homeschooler, it is extremely easy to spread yourself to thin by taking 10+ classes and joining all sorts of activities, but it would behoove you to take more challenging classes and invest yourself more fully in a few, select extra-curricular activities.</p>

<p>Oh, and try not to be a pretentious ****. Saying things like “but dropped a 4 in government” in real life will come around and bite you in the butt when it’s time to ask for letters of recommendations.</p>

9

<p>@DiscipulusBonus‌: Alg. II I’ll be doing throughout most of the school year, and Pre-Calc will mostly be a summer course…while I don’t want to rush it, I really, really want to take AP Calc next year. No, I haven’t looked at the Art of Problem Solving. I’m using Chalkdust right now, and it’s working great. :slight_smile: I might be dropping Russian. </p>

<p>“As a homeschooler, it is extremely easy to spread yourself to [sic] thin by taking 10+ classes and joining all sorts of activities, but it would behoove you to take more challenging classes and invest yourself more fully in a few, select extra-curricular activities.”</p>

<p>How do I take more challenging classes as a sophomore? I thought about doing Organic Chem this year, but my father said I needed to get through AP Bio and AP Physics first. I know my math is weak, but I’m working on that so that I can take the more challenging courses. :)</p>

<p>Also, I’m trying to invest myself in a few, select extra-curricular activities. It seems like a lot, but it’s really just a few things. Here’s part of my earlier post…</p>

<p>I’m currently captain of Pilgrimage Homeschool’s Science Olympiad team. We had 11 kids on our Div. B team this year. I spent ~20 hours/week on it. I coached kids, figured out schedules, and studied! Our team ended up winning states, and placing 19th at Nationals, even though we had an awful day. My scores were: 4th place Shock Value, 5th place Sounds of Music, 6th place Crime Busters, 7th place Disease Detectives, 9th place Meteorology, 9th place Experimental Design.</p>

<p>Next year, I’ll be assistant coach for the middle school team and co-captain of the Div. C. Pilgrimage team. The Div. C team is weaker, but I think that we might have a chance at making nationals this coming year. Anyway, this is probably my largest ‘leadership’ position.</p>

<p>The music stuff–I’ve got 3 once-a-week bands/orchestras, 1 once-a-month orchestra that goes overseas on missions every year to perform at orphanages, slums, prisons, hospitals, etc., and a few honors bands/orchestras that meet for one or two weekends. Besides that, I play Clarinet (8 yrs), Bassoon (2 yrs, but everyone wants me 'cause there are never any bassoons), Saxophone (5 yrs), and Piano (13 yrs). </p>

<p>Anyway, my clubs generally fit into 3 buckets: Science Olympiad, Model UN, and Music. I could quit a few Music clubs if I need to. I’ve got ‘leadership’ roles in each of them, as I’m principal clarinet/bassoon in most of them (the exceptions this year were Lions Club Honors Band and Potomac Valley Youth Orchestra).</p>

<p>“Oh, and try not to be a pretentious ****. Saying things like “but dropped a 4 in government” in real life will come around and bite you in the butt when it’s time to ask for letters of recommendations.”</p>

<p>I’m sorry, I’m not trying to be pretentious. I’m just trying to lay the facts on the table. </p>

10

<p>@DiscipulusBonus: I won’t say things like ‘dropped a 4 in government’ anymore. I just found out, and I was kinda bummed. :frowning: I keep telling myself that a 4 is great…but my perfectionist, competitive side just isn’t happy. :slight_smile: </p>

11

<p>It’s OK to be disappointed that you didn’t get a perfect score, but remember that 93.5% of people who took the test scored below a 5. Just think how someone who got a 3 might feel seeing you complain about a 4.</p>

<p>Also, when I said more challenging classes, I didn’t mean things like organic chemistry. I was talking about learning the material more deeply with rigorous classes. I took a look at Chalkdust math, and I seriously recommend checking out AoPS. It’s an incredible resource, and the books/classes teach via extremely challenging problems.</p>

<p>For classes like AP Biology, consider supplementing the curriculum with MIT OpenCourseWare videos/readings/assignments/tests. You seem like an incredibly advanced student, so try to challenge yourself beyond the AP curriculum.</p>

<p>Also, why the rush for AP Calc? Read this article: <a href=“Don’t Fall into the Calculus Trap”>Don’t Fall into the Calculus Trap;

12

<p>“It’s OK to be disappointed that you didn’t get a perfect score, but remember that 93.5% of people who took the test scored below a 5. Just think how someone who got a 3 might feel seeing you complain about a 4.”</p>

<p>Yeah, thanks for the reminder. :slight_smile: </p>

<p>“Also, when I said more challenging classes, I didn’t mean things like organic chemistry. I was talking about learning the material more deeply with rigorous classes. I took a look at Chalkdust math, and I seriously recommend checking out AoPS. It’s an incredible resource, and the books/classes teach via extremely challenging problems.”</p>

<p>Ah, I see. I tried doing that this year some with Chem…there were some pretty awesome websites out there to read through. Also, I was able to read through the first 1/4 of the standard orgo textbook…it was REALLY fun!! That became my bedtime reading. That’s why I had wanted to take orgo this year. My Chem teacher would also post things outside the curriculum for us to explore. He was awesome!! I ended up doing a series of experiements on metallurgy, for instance, at the beginning of the year. I also built a salinometer (that incidentally didn’t work, because 1. the salt spilled on the wood, my circuit base, creating a short circuit and conductive wood, and 2. I started an electrolytic cell that created some really neat precipitates because of the salt, wire, and water. However, this meant that reading the resistance (and thus the salinity) was um, near impossible). Anyway, Chem was probably the class that I did the most ‘extra stuff’ in. </p>

<p>In music theory, I ended up doing a ton of composition…while outside the curriculum, I found it to be super fun. </p>

<p>I see what you’re saying, though. Rather than just ‘superficially’ learning the knowledge–enough to pass the tests–I need to continue deeply learning the material so that it ‘sticks’. Thanks for the advice!</p>

<p>AoPS–I’ll check that out. :slight_smile: I’m being sufficiently challenged with the Chalkdust, I think, but I do know that I’d like to be challenged more. I’ve been going online and finding ‘stumpers’ to puzzle over in addition to Chalkdust, so AoPS could be a good opportunity. I’ll check it out. </p>

<p>“For classes like AP Biology, consider supplementing the curriculum with MIT OpenCourseWare videos/readings/assignments/tests. You seem like an incredibly advanced student, so try to challenge yourself beyond the AP curriculum.”</p>

<p>OK. Do you know where I can find good labs? For AP Bio, most of the labs are online dry labs, so I’d really like more ‘wet’ labs. But yeah, that sounds like a good idea. Do you think it’d be good to enroll in an edX/coursera ‘specific’ bio course at the same time, or should I save that for later? </p>

<p>Also, what do you think about my TAing for AP gov’t and/or AP Chem? I could do either, none, or both, and I’m not sure what to do. </p>

13

<p>For labs, you could probably try BozemanScience on Youtube. I think he has labs.</p>

14

<p>Thanks, animefan1998!</p>

15

<p>You can also find links to relevant AP Biology labs on the College Board website.</p>

16

<p>Dang, my schedule for 10th grade seem very good until I see this…</p>

17

<p>@long2181998‌: I just looked at your schedule (<a href=“Am I juggling too much at once ? - High School Life - College Confidential Forums”>Am I juggling too much at once ? - High School Life - College Confidential Forums) and it looks awesome!! You’re in pre-calc in 10th grade…I on the other hand, am going to have to work VERY hard to get there. I started HS in Algebra 1 (not due to lack of motivation). However, I really like math and am working to ‘catch up’, without losing understanding along the way. And you’re in Spanish IV! That’s cool! Add on euro, macro econ, gov’t, and statistics and your course load is really tough! Just wondering, are you planning on taking any AP tests at the end of the year (like macro econ, gov’t, statistics, or physics), or are you just going to take the IB tests for those? </p>

18

<p>@Azismith What do you mean you are going to have to work very hard to get there ? Aren’t you also taking pre-calc in 10th grade ?</p>

<p>Btw, yes, I am planning to take all the AP tests for all these classes( I do not want to choose the Asian life but it chose me.) For Pre-IB classes, there will be Final Exam for class grade but it is not the 1-7 scale tests since these are not IB classes yet. If only 10th graders are allow to take IB classes :(</p>

19

<p>@long2181998‌: Yup, but my summer=math + music + running :slight_smile: This is so because this summer, I’m finishing up Geometry, and getting through the first half of Alg. II. Then, during the school year, I’ll be finishing Alg. II and doing the first half of PreCalc. Summer will be finishing Pre-Calc and getting a jump on Calc, as well as a possible internship/missions/etc. I also want to explore other realms of math…</p>

<p>You see, my parents were convinced by some people that I needed to be ‘slowed down’ in math, because otherwise by the time I got to the SATs, I would’ve forgotten the math. I WAS on the track of AP Calc BC in 9th grade at the latest, but after being only allowed to do math 1-2x/week for ~3 years… And then I had to learn how to retrain myself to do math every day. Oh well! I’m learning a ton now, so it doesn’t matter! :)</p>

<p>“Btw, yes, I am planning to take all the AP tests for all these classes( I do not want to choose the Asian life but it chose me.) For Pre-IB classes, there will be Final Exam for class grade but it is not the 1-7 scale tests since these are not IB classes yet. If only 10th graders are allow to take IB classes :(”</p>

<p>Wow!! 4 APs! (I’m not Asian, but I completely get what you’re saying…) As a sophomore, that’s a hard course load. Did you take any freshman year? </p>

20

<p>Wow, hearing about your parents kind of make me sad because</p>

<ol>
<li><p>SAT is a standardized test which cover mostly essential math that you can/should never forget. Slowing down part is only apply to the Pre-calc knowledge that only exist in SAT Math subject test 2.</p></li>
<li><p>And if I know my child has the potential and determination to get to Calc BC in 9th grade, I would do everything possible to aid his learning instead of telling him to slowdown :frowning: (Although BC in 9th grade is quite a stretch.)</p></li>
</ol>

<p>I took AP Human in 9th grade and got a 5. Although I am not quite sure I am prepare to take AP euro as this year, it has one of the lowest % of 5.</p>