Am I Making A Mistake? (Scheduling for Next Year)

I got into the New Visions Medical Careers program for my senior year. It is something I have always wanted to be apart of because it sounds so unique and hands on. My problem is that I can only take one class at my high school in conjunction with New Visions since I will only be at school for 2/10 periods and 1 period has to be reserved for gym. My junior year I took two APs and two duel college credit courses, which I feel confident about, as well as honors English and Spanish, but I had no time for myself that whole school year and it made my parents and friends all really worry about me as my extra curricular activities were also pretty time consuming (musical, drama, mock trial, NHS responsibilities, tutoring).

So, for senior year, my parents are urging me to take an easier class like Environmental or Astronomy apposed to what most teachers and my counselor want me to take, which is AP Calc. Now, I’m not stellar in math and it’s not my favorite subject. I took Precalc junior year and did okay in it, averaging at a B. I just freeze up at tests, my mind goes blank, and my calculator starts to laugh at me even though on homework, notes, and studying sheets I excel. I also have the option of taking AP Spanish but it really stresses me out and I don’t “need” to take it. I could also take regular physics or advanced physics. I had a couple friends take advanced physics and it looked horrible all year until they got to the regents that they said was the easiest thing ever due to its total reliance on formulas, but overall they all hates the advanced physics class and there was copious amounts of “sharing” going on within the class of homework and information.

My question is, should I keep AP Calc or take an “easier” class? Is New Visions that unique, impressive and rigorous itself to let me get away with taking a less rigorous class at school? Did I need an Oxford comma there or is it unnecessary?

I personally am very concerned with getting into a stellar college. I feel like I would dissapoint a lot of people and myself if I don’t. My parents have already told me they don’t care if I get into an Ivy League or a college with a 25% selectivity rate. That, actually, going to a college where I know I would be at the top is fantastic for getting into medical school as long as I take the required courses because keeping my GPA up wouldn’t be as difficult. They didn’t go to extremely outstanding or just regularly outstanding schools and they are both very successful in their respected medical careers. This decision is resting pretty heavily on my chest and I am very worried that if I don’t take a harder class colleges won’t want me even though I am in New Visions.

Thank you so much! Sorry this is so long!!

Wow, take what you want. Getting into a particular school won’t ride on whether or not you took one paricular class.

@lostaccount Thank you so much for your advice! I think you’re right. I was just really worried that not taking an AP or advanced/honors class would make my transcript look different from junior to senior year and I don’t really know how colleges look at New Visions programs. So, thank you!!