I am currently a Sophomore planning my courses for next year. I am interested in Engineering and as of yet I have signed up for AP Physics 2 (self studying AP Physics C: E&M), AP Chem, AP Calc BC, APUSH, Robotics + Yoga (1 Semester each), and Jazz Band for my junior year.
Originally I was planning on taking Programming I and II instead of Robotics but there were too many scheduling conflicts. So I opted to take Robotics instead. I thought Robotics would be interesting but my counselor told me that it is a very basic course that uses Lego robots. I am concerned that this might be too easy for me and that I might get bored out of my mind.
The other option I might have would be to take AP Spanish instead. This offers me a possible GPA boost and chance of becoming fluent in Spanish. But I feel that it might be too much of a workload and it isn’t related to anything I plan on majoring in.
What should I do?
Are you signed up for English?
Does your school have a robotics club or team that participates in FIRST? Or similar league?
Given your interest in engineering, robotics seems like a good course but I would heed the counselor’s opinion and take Spanish. Speaking Spanish is a great skill, and the AP credit could possibly place you out of any language requirements in college (this really depends on a lot of factors). Will you have to drop yoga to fit in Spanish? Do you need the yoga PE credits?
Yes I am signed up for American Literature. My school doesn’t have any robotics club, team, or similar league as far as I know. I believe next year is the first year robotics will even be offered.
I only need 1/2 PE credit but I was planning to take that senior year b/c one sem of health is required for us in senior year so the 1/2 PE would fit in well with that.
The only reason I would do PE next year is because Robotics is only one semester.
But I still feel tempted to do Robotics as it is a different subject area and might be a good exploratory option.
Can you try Robotics and then transfer after a few days into Spanish if the class looks like it will be terrible? Your course load is challenging so it is fine to pursue an elective that is just for fun. Hopefully, the robotics class will be terrific.
Unfortunately, robotics is scheduled for 2nd semester so I have to make the decision now. But I just found out that my community college offers 1 weeklong summer Robotics class so I might be able to get a taste of what its like. Only thing is I am not sure if the course material will be the same. I go to an international school so the community college in my hometown has no connection/affiliation with my HS.