AP Bio
AP Human
Eng 1 Honors
Alg 2 Honors
Engineering 1 (not honors or AP, but a very hard class)
Info Tech
German 1
(taking pre-calc online right, will be done before summer ends)
I managed the classes above relatively fine, I am making all As. The problem is that I am losing motivation, I do not like most of my classes. I was thinking about taking 4 APs next year, but AP classes that I will enjoy. Here is what I think my schedule will look like next year:
Engineering 2
AP Physics 1
AP Chem
AP World
AP Calc AB (my school makes people take AB before BC, and I think BC would maybe be too much anyw
Eng 2 Honors
German 2
I know that this is a very rigorous schedule, but I think I can do it. I love physics, I want to major in it. I am pretty good good at math, and I like it. I want to get ahead in physics in Math because I really enjoy it. I want to start doing actual physics, which is impossible without math. Chem is not my favorite subject, but it is a science and has math in it, so I will probably enjoy it. World History will most likely be my least favorite AP, but it is a requirement.
I am starting to get a little scared about next year. I believe that my biggest problem will be procrastination, I just can’t do things unless it is the last minute. I just want know if you guys think it is possible to maintain a perfect GPA with all these classes. I would also like to hear any tips you might have
It all depends on how dedicated you are and if you will actually enjoy the class. You seem very passionate about math and science and as long as you work hard those APs shouldn’t be a problem. As for AP world history there is a lot of reading involved. At my school the tests are extremely difficult and have ambiguous questions plus they are 70% of your grade. If you aren’t ready to spend time on that, then try taking a lower level. If you have honors take that instead.
I’d save ap chemistry for junior year. In addition, you probably need honors chemistry before ap chemistry (ap chemistry is the second level in the sequence).
Instead, you could take an art class such as digital media or such (especially if you intend to go to college in California, where it’s a requirement, part of what’s called ‘a-g reqs’)
I would not take AP Chem, AP Physics, and AP Calc as a Sophmore all together. I would save AP Chem for junior year. Personally, I would choose between AP Calc and Physics, but do those two together and not all three. AP World isn’t bad.
I’d say AP Physics is the least demanding of those 3 science/math APs
However, you REALLY need to understand the importance of prerequisites. While these classes are not required, it would prepare you immensely for the upper-level class. Save AP Chem and Calc for your junior year.
If your school has Honors Chemistry, take it. Otherwise, just take regular Chemistry.
And for calculus, did you REALLY think you should take it without taking PRE-CALC first???
I completely agree with the posters above - save AP chem for junior year. If you haven’t had a high school level chemistry course, I’d also recommend taking that before AP chem. I took AP bio, chem, and physics in high school and AP chem was by far the most rigorous of the three.
If I’m reading correctly, he stated that he’s taking Pre-Calculus online, and with all the honors and AP classes, I’ll assume you have around an “A” for each class (including Pre-Calculus). If this is the case, then feel free to take AP Calculus AB, but make sure to practice during the summer and study ahead a little.
I’ll also be a sophomore like you next year taking AP Chemistry, and I plan on just self-studying the basics (stoichiometry, atomic bonding, nomenclature, etc) over the summer, so you should do that as well.
I’m taking AP European History (my school doesn’t offer AP World History), but nothing much to do there except summer packet if given. Buy Princeton Review for both AP World and AP Chemistry.
Not really sure for AP Physics 1, but I’ve heard that the exam is mostly conceptual, rather than applying mathematics, so I think you would be fine, especially considering that your favorite subject is physics.
Overall, your schedule is pretty rigorous, but since you said you’re genuinely interested in them, just study everyday, try not to fall behind too much, and if you do, just catch up, and do your best.
Sorry if I sound like I don’t belong here, but just wanted to share my own thoughts of what a fellow next-year Sophomore should do.
@suzyQ7 You really don’t need H Chem to take AP Chem. All it matters is the individual taking the course. A student who did well in regular chemistry will do perfectly. While a student who slacks off will do badly in AP chem.
I think if you got an A in AP bio without a previous bio class you can probably do the same in Chem. I would, however, save one of the sciences for junior year. You could even possible take Physics C instead of Physics 1 if you wait cause you’ll have a calc background.
Nasa2014 : Considering your own record you really ought not to give advice on honors chemistry / AP chemistry. It’s not fair to OP.
AP chemistry is the second level in the chemistry sequence. It is NOT a more in-depth study of the same content (as you would in APUSH vs. Honors us history.) It assumes excellence in one full year of chemistry with labs.
It’s not a matter of working hard in AP Chem, which is a given, it’s a matter of mastering the pre-requisite notions and skills.
From what I read in the comments, I feel like I need to clear up some things. AP Chem is a class for sophomores in my school, there is no pre-requisite of any sort. I am urrently taking pre-calc online, and I will be done before school starts. I am taking physics and calculus because I LIKE physics and math, I already know some of the content of physics 1 from self-studying. I am confident that I will be able to do well in physics and calc. I am making As in Algebra 2 and Pre-Calc with almost no effort. @MNballer19@MYOS1634@suzyQ7@mademoiselle2308
As a sophomore last year I took four APs as well and I think that your experience in high school is very similar to mine. I took AP Calculus AB and AP Physics 1 last year, and given that you aren’t having difficulty in pre-calculus, I would consider it very achievable for you to do well in both of those classes. My school offers Euro instead of World, but if it is offered as a course to mainly sophomores(like the Euro class at my school) it should be fine as well. I would consider saving Chemistry until junior year, as from what I’ve heard it can be a very difficult class(I am in the IB program so I am taking IB Chem now), but if you are comfortable with your chemistry skills and believe that you can achieve it, go for it
While I do disagree with MYOS1634 that a regular/ honors chemistry course is absolutely necessary, going in there without the knowledge of basic chemistry can be disastrous. I recommend that you buy a basic chemistry textbook over the summer and practice until you master the basics (should take about 1 month maximum), and if you have spare time left, study ahead a little using a prep book (Princeton Review is probably the best for AP Chemistry. At least that’s what I’ll use). Well, at least, this is what I’m doing to prepare for next year.
As long as you’re interested in science, mastered the basic chemistry topics over the summer, and prepared to study everyday, you’ll be fine. There are many people who try to discourage you from taking classes you’re genuinely interested in just because you don’t have the pre-requisites in this forum, and in some cases, this is for the best. However, if you master the basics over the summer or before you take the class, you should be fine.
It’s a manageable schedule. You’ll probably do fine with AP Physics l, AP Chem, and AP Calc AB. However, since you said you have a big procrastination problem, then AP World History will probably affect your GPA if you do not keep up with the homework that consists of reading a chapter every night. Trust me, I procrastinate all the time with my APWH hw, and I advise you not to do the same thing. Last semester, I ended with a 90 and right now I have a 92. If I didn’t procrastinate, then I probably have a higher grade. In the end, it’s not wise to procrastinate in APWH.
