<p>I have an 80% in Honors Chemistry right now. I know, you probably gasped in your mind while reading that sentence, but this year has just been a really bad year for me. I've had a lot of distractions and I just can't seem to get in the right state of mind for success. I'm not trying to make excuses though. It's entirely my fault that I get distracted and can't focus, and it's my fault I barely have a B in Chem. I would very much like to take AP Chem, not only for the reason that I want to be a neurologist in the future, but I want to redeem myself and get a much better grade while also learning the fundamental concepts of Chemistry.</p>
<p>I am willing to do anything it takes, including going in early in the mornings for help, going in during my access periods(lunch) for help, and getting a tutor outside of school. I am determined to put in the time and effort that it will take, but I also don't know if I will be able to pass.</p>
<p>If I don't take AP Chemistry junior year (this upcoming year,) then I will never have the opportunity again, not because it's not offered to seniors, but because I will not have room on my schedule. Therefore, this is my last chance. I have to do it now or never, but I'm still really nervous. These are my schedule options and what I was thinking:</p>
<p>Option 1- 11th grade</p>
<p>1.) Regular Precalc
2.) Spanish III
3.) APUSH
4.) PE
5.) AP English III
6.) Lunch
7.) Orchestra
8.) Honors Physics</p>
<p>Option 2- 11th grade
1.) Regular Precalc
2.) APUSH
3.) PE
4.) AP Chem
5.) AP English III
6.) Lunch
7.) Orchestra
8.) Honors Physics</p>
<p>And...my senior plan just in case:
1.) Regular Calculus (I can take AP Calc AB also, but I would rather not, because I hate math, and I know I won't put in enough time and/or effort)
2.) PE
3.) AP Physics
4.) AP English IV
5.) Still choosing between: AP Psychology, AP Environmental Science or Anatomy and Physiology
6.) Lunch
7.) Orchestra
8.) AP Bio</p>
<p>So, basically for junior year you’re deciding between taking AP chem and Spanish 3? Check with the colleges to which you intend to apply; some have different requirements/ suggestions regarding foreign languages. If you’ve already taken care of the requirements at the colleges you’ll apply to, then I would suggest taking AP chem and spending a lot of time on it so you can master the material. Can you get a study block in your schedule? If so, then you could have extra time to work through problem sets or ask for help. </p>
<p>Thanks for your suggestion! I could get an extra access period, but then I’d have to give up another class, and I have to take P.E as a state requirement as well as English. Pretty much, the rest of my classes are school graduation requirements. Maybe, I can stay after school or work something out with my teacher to stay before or after school or something? We also have this thing called a resource center at school where I can go in for help during lunch. I do have a lot of places I can get help! </p>
<p>As far as college requirements, the college I want to go to says 2 years is required and 3 is recommended. So yes, I am trying to decide between AP Chem and Spanish 3! </p>
<p>Wow, that’s a difficult decision. If I were in your position, I would have a very hard time deciding. Talk it over with your counselor and see what he/she would suggest. Good luck!</p>
<p>Edit: can you take Spanish online and/or during the summer?</p>
<p>Does your school have a zero period option? I know at my school, the only way I have been able to fit in all of my classes has been to take what’s called “Early Bird PE”, which is basically PE that runs from 6:40 to 7:20am (first period starts at 7:35am). Does your school have this? If so, it will mean getting up earlier, but then you have a free period to take something else. Just a suggestion.</p>
<p>I’m taking a zero period class next year^^ that’s also another good option if your school offers it. </p>
<p>In response to your question, no I personally haven’t taken Spanish online, but one of my classmates did. Her schedule wasn’t going to work if she took Spanish 1 during school hours. Now, she is in Spanish 2 (actually just finished it) at school and did just fine.</p>
<p>I did not think of that! Thank you! Great idea! I am seriously considering that now!</p>
<p>I was actually asking if you had taken AP Chemistry, but thank you for the information! I asked my Spanish teacher and she said that she wouldn’t recommend taking Spanish over the summer, but that most schools would be fine with 2 years!</p>
<p>This is my schedule that I’m thinking about now:
0.) Zero Hour
1.) Regular Precalculus
2.) AP Chemistry
3.) APUSH
4.) Access
5.) AP English III
6.) Orchestra
7.) Honors Physics</p>
<p>Again, thank you guys so much! Really appreciate it! </p>
<p>Not a problem! I haven’t taken AP Chemistry, but I’m hoping to take it next year. As of right now, there are conflicts with my registration (AP Chem is offered at the same time as two classes, AP Physics 2 and Madrigal Singers, that I am not willing to drop). So I might be stuck with AP Bio, but I haven’t figured it out completely yet. </p>
<p>It’s probably a good thing. I’ve heard that AP Chem is terrible at my school because the teacher is terrible. Nobody gets more than a 3 on the exam because she can’t teach, so maybe AP Bio isn’t that bad after all. </p>
<p>@glee12 Also, I’m not sure if you noticed in the revised schedule that you posted above, but you currently don’t have an 8th period. Again, I’m not sure how it works at your school, but if you’re allowed to take 8 periods in addition to the zero period, you would be able to take both AP Chemistry and Spanish and still have the PE credit to graduate. Something to think about if you’re willing to take on the long school day. I know at my school, we’re required to take all 8 periods (at least during freshman through junior year) regardless of whether you have zero period or not, so if you can, take advantage of the extra space in your registration!</p>
<p>@rkepp12, I’m accounting for lunch. We have to take all 8 periods from freshman through junior year as well.</p>
<p>As far as the zero hour thing, we cannot take another class instead of PE if we take zero hour at my school. If we take zero hour, we get an access in place of where PE would’ve been in our schedule. So say that in my schedule, I would’ve had regular PE 6th period, then I would have an access there. So either way, I’m picking between AP Chemistry and Spanish. I however, am only planning to take my revised schedule if I take AP Chemistry so that I can have that access period for any extra help that I need. However, I still have to take into account that I will not be able to do any clubs that participate in the morning. </p>
<p>Good luck in whatever you choose! I’ve heard that AP Biology is not as hard as physics or chemistry, but still is challenging. Whatever happens, happens though. It will all work itself out in time. </p>
<p>Thank you so much for your help and best of luck in your future endeavours!</p>
<p>My school actually had to offer AP Chemistry as a double-period class because of its difficulty, and my friends who said that they thought they were good at Honors Chemistry were very shocked about AP Chemistry and struggled though out the whole year despite getting good grades in Honors Chemistry. They were able to pull together A’s/B’s but they were often getting help during lunch and after school. </p>
<p>I think you have very good reasons for wanting to pursue AP Chem and that fact that you’re willing to seek assistance is also a major plus. Personally I suggest trying to get a head start over the summer? Like get an AP book and start looking over it (not a rigorous study, though) if you have time? </p>
<p>I think it may be a good idea to take AP Chem because one, as you said, you can’t do it next year, and two, your schedule option that includes AP Chem works well with it! Your senior plan also looks good regardless of whether you go with option 1 or 2 (I think having an AP science course is a great idea!)</p>
<p>Either way, good luck with whichever option you choose and hopefully it’ll work out! :)</p>
<p>I don’t have a suggestion for you but I thought you’d like to know that I’m in the exact same boat as you. I took honors chem this year, first semester I got a C (my fault) second semester I got a B- (I really tried but I just couldn’t do good bc of first semester). I want to take AP chem but I’m scared I’ll fail because I had a hard enough time in Honors chem lol. My school put me in AP chem next year anyway, and I forced my counselor to take me out and put me in AP Bio. I’m thinking of possibly doing AP Chem senior year to redeem myself, especially because I want to go pre-med, but we’ll see. Anyway, good luck! I say do it if you’re willing to put in a lot of effort this time around. :)</p>
<p>Wow! We really are in the exact same situation! I want to go into pre-med also, and I suck at chemistry anyways. I am really considering it as of now, but I am not sure. I think that access period should help, and I’m also thinking about getting a tutor/head start studying. I really just do not want to fail AP Chem like you said you were afraid about. I am willing to work much harder though. We’ll see. Good luck to you as well! I’ve heard AP Biology is fun!</p>
<p>@glee12 I think you should take spanish 3 instead, since colleges will look for it, you’re already taking physics, and you can always take it next year.</p>