4 APs and an Honors Course (Junior Year): Help?

Pre-College Issues High School Life
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<p>Disclaimer: (Almost) all of them are for fun and I entered them fully and willingly. And the information I have is all from current and past students of these courses.</p>

<p>Okay...</p>

<p>So I have to say, I'm a little verklempt when I think about the amount of work I'm prolly going to have to do. I know what I'm getting into, but it still doesn't take away the shock. My courses (if you're wondering) are:</p>

<p>AP US History
AP Composition
AP Statistics (Not really willing, but it's an "easy" AP)
AP Studio Art
Honors Physics</p>

<p>All of these are weighted (I think) so that's good. And most of my teachers didn't really have to think much when they approved me for these courses, so at least I feel safe knowing they know I can handle them. (Even after I told them I had several APs planned)</p>

<p>Of them, the hardest two are APUSH and AP Comp. It's a lot of essays and DBQs and essay tests, so I need to improve my writing strength (I tend to get hand cramps after 3 paragraphs because I'm a lefty and I hate spiral notebooks.) And then the Easiest is AP Stats. AP Stats is mainly calculator and formula based (I <3 formulas) and it's the "English" class of the Mathematics courses, so I'm not gonna fail (hopefully.) Thankfully though this is my last year of math (I'm actually at my 3rd year as a sophomore right now, so I'm really ahead.)</p>

<p>Honors Physics I don't think would be much of a problem. I tend to understand Physical-type sciences (or at least get the least amount of anxiety from them) and I have a brother who's willing to tutor me in Physics (he's an aerospace major at a Cal Poly.)</p>

<p>The thing I'm worried about is AP Studio. It's 24 pieces in 8 months. The teacher who reviewed my work said I was good enough, but I needed more experience, and so me, him, and the Drawing/Painting 2 teacher worked out a situation where I could switch in to AP Studio Art in November of next school year when I feel like I can handle the work load. He told me I could even take outside classes or labs at the college (they're free for me) during the year and summer to help finish it, so I'm doing that as well.</p>

<p>As for anything extracurricular, I don't want to do anything. It may not be good strategy, but I'm not planning for Junior Year to be other than work. I'm a pretty hard worker (we have a workaholic gene in the family), it's just that I'm getting lazier as the years go by due to the mundane schedules I've been having. But since I'm finally getting a switch up next year with the AP's, I'm finally excited for school.</p>

<p>At my school, I'm also supposed to have another elective, and that will be Anthropology, so I can have one easy class in my day. (It's nothing but watching movies and taking an occasional test.)</p>

<p>So what I'd like to know are some tips for time management, and tips for note-taking, or how to deal. And if you've got anymore tips, let me know. (And no, I will not kill myself. Very funny.)</p>

<p>P.s. I know.... I have no life. >.< It's the only way I can take them.</p>

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<p>Sounds strange, but have fun doing homework. I don’t know about you, but I just realize that if I actually do my homework, I know everything. No wonder I was getting terrible grades; I was being a total idiot and just copying down the questions. I would just say enjoy it. Studying just makes me feel happy now. I had a sudden change of heart despising school and stuff. I don’t know, but I enjoy the APUSH out lines now if I think about it. The thought that I am essentially compressing 400 years of American history in my brain pleases me.</p>

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<p>I think the easiest way to learn anything is to teach them to someone else. I’d recommend finding a study buddy, or opening yourself to other classmates who need help because when you teach them, you can catch your own mistakes and correct it. This applies to apush, stats, and physics. As for comp, I’m s lefty too, and that year I got myself this pen that is made specially for Lefties. I’ll look for the brand and put it up if you want; it really helps because it’s made to reduce the stress on your hands as you write all those essays.
As for AP studio art, I think you have to consider if it’s too much. Maybe save it for senior year and take advanced art, or something like that, to build up the strength of your portfolio.
good luck!</p>

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<p>@Davidthefat:</p>

<p>I like that approach to school you have, I’m truthfully excited for school. Hopefully I can have that outlook during the entire school year next year. I’m actually planning on doing all my homework now that I’m done with French 2 (it wasn’t much a class…) so I guess that’d help.</p>

<p>@Nikolnicole:</p>

<p>I’m actually looking for people who’re interested in tutoring. I’m a French tutor already, but I’m not taking French anymore (see above reason.) I’m thinking Physics, English, or US History. Idk, just something. About the pen, please tell me! I really need something like that!</p>

<p>It might be too much for me, but I was already planning on taking the College art classes by myself. I was thinking of applying different places (CalArts, SDSU) and I think if I had the portfolio ready, it’d help me get in. Like I said, even though the course it self will be 8 months, I’m only in it for 6, and I’ll have all of six months to make at least 12-15 (it’s my goal.) If I didn’t take it, I’d be stuck in the Art 2. (And I was already in Art 2… they wouldn’t let me take one year and now I have to start over.)</p>

<p>Thank you guys so much!</p>

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<p>APUSH is easy.</p>

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<p>Here us the website for the pen that saved my hands: <a href=“http://www.yoropen.com%5B/url%5D”>http://www.yoropen.com</a>
Apart from the strange shape it’s amazing. </p>

<p>I find it uncanny the many similarities we have; I’m gonna be an art major at CSULB, and I had French for 4 years. Anyways, you should make it known to your schools office or counselors that you are willing to do tutoring for those.
When you apply, I’d also consider how expensive it would be. A lot of amazing schools like CalArts are very pricy (40-50k a year). I’m not discouraging you though! I think you should go for it if your heart is in it. </p>

<p>About your classes, I’d say the workload for the classes except for AP art is feasible, but having that class might make it hard to keep up with it all.</p>

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<p>@Kironide: Not at my school. The first week’s assignments are 2 full length essays, a LONG document based question, then an Essay test (4 essays in under an hour). Not to mention we have summer work due the first day. We don’t even know what we’re doing the 1st week, so no one can write it ahead.</p>

<p>@Nikolnicole: I think I’m deciding not to do it (yet) and just chill out. I’m trying out for the dance team (my other love, other than Art.) And so far, those have been saying I have the chops. It’s for fun too. But my mom isn’t that supportive, because there’s a 1000 dollar pricing fee (I think it’s worth it, our team usually wins in the Top 3 every year) to pay for everything. (Provided I make it)</p>

<p>It’s mainly the reason why I’m probably not going to all the colleges I’m applying too. I’ll never have the money, so I’m just going to send my apps to places like CalArts or Harvard, etc. and see what happens there. (I may not go there, but at least I can say I was accepted…) And I’m just gonna end up with SDSU because it’s cheap. (I’m actually thinking about CSULB because I can just commute, but the way things are turning out, I want out of my house ASAP.)</p>

<p>And thank you for the pen info! I’m definitely getting one.</p>

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<p>@Kiro, Do you go to some stupid Washington D.C school or something?</p>

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<p>Whatever you think is best for you (: if you have reduced fees on apps go and apply but if not I wouldnt spend 60-80 bucks on a school you might not even go to.
I assume you live in San Diego? Cuz I do too! Haha, I know what you mean about getting out of here. Check out long beach. If your rank is fantastic check out the presidents scholarship too. Good luck!</p>

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<p>@Nikolnicole</p>

<p>It’s the opposite. I live closer to Long Beach and everyone I know is going to aim for there. I don’t want it to be my high school all over again. It’s a big school, but it’s too close. >.<</p>

<p>And thanks for all your help!</p>

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<p>Lol, I have 4 APs and an honors and it’s HELL. Granted, my AP classes are more difficult than yours, but still- I hope you’re prepared for a stressful year.
I have:
AP Calculus AB
AP Physics C
AP Chemistry
AP Psychology
Honors English
…and then Spanish 3. </p>

<p>Good luck.</p>

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<p>@puggly123</p>

<p>I’m totally prepared. I even took the liberty of reading my brother’s and his friends’ AP books (cover to cover, but not intensively), so I know what I’m in for. I think I’m more scared because of the hype. The actual work doesn’t shock me, which, in a way, kinda shocks me. o.O Like I said, I’m used to hard work. (I’m just a lazy-butt right now.)</p>

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<p>@Daxlo5: Wrong side of the United States, sir. What makes you think that, hm?</p>