Many current students right now have the tendency to take a lot of AP courses. Thinking that they will get into their dream college. Was putting all the effort a good thing? Did you regret not doing other things beside academics? You’re only in high school once in your lifetime.
Think of it this way: You can still hang out with friends and drink all you want when you are adults. However, you can’t get a refund for the time you neglect your study in high school and in return don’t get in at least a decent college. .
I think the way you think of APs/IB is good prep FOR college, not admission TO college. You would get that, no?
Many people take those courses and do other things too. It doesn’t have to be one or the other. Students with learning disorders may not be able to do as much as other students, but they can have rigorous classes and pursue outside interests. They just have to find the right balance.
It prepared me pretty well for the rigor of my college coursework and helped me develop work ethic and time-management skills.
You might say the same about college. Could I have gone out more? Certainly. But I didn’t really want to, and focusing on my schoolwork has had good outcomes so far – scholarships, research opportunities, job interviews.
I agree that many students take rigorous courses while also being involved in other things. The same goes for college… many take rigorous classes and still make time for clubs, etc.
I see students here who take a lot of AP classes… like 15 or more. In our HS students take 6-7 at the most. Every school is different I guess.
Everyone is different. My D took a lot of AP/IB/CC courses, worked 2 jobs, played sports, played 2 instruments, was involved in a number of orgs, had time to hang out with friends and otherwise had plenty of free time. Yet she wonders how others had time to do even more. It’s all relative. Don’t worry about what others are doing. Find the right balance for your strengths and interests.
OP - You’re absolutely right in stating, “You’re only in high school once in your lifetime.” For that reason, I’ve always encouraged my son to explore any and all high school experiences that he’d find interesting. In spite of his extremely busy schedule (7 IB and 1 AP courses in Junior and Senior year each), ACT and SAT preparations and tests, Varsity Tennis, school clubs, community services, Taekwondo, youth symphony rehearsals and concerts, violin auditions and numerous competitions, public recitals and concerts, etc. etc. etc., he still experienced 3 proms, football homecoming, school theater events, classmate parties, movie nights, and so on. He didn’t get to sleep much during the last two years of his high school in order to accommodate his interests, but no regrets whatsoever. Yes, you CAN do both academics AND all the other high school social activities without sacrificing one or the other, as long as you’re smart at prioritizing multiple activities and manage your time very efficiently. Not easy but you can.
If you’d like to pursue this topic further, you might want to grab the following book by Cal Newport, "How to Be a High School Superstar: A Revolutionary Plan to Get into College by Standing Out (Without Burning Out).
My kid would say it was worth taking a lot of AP classes. She chose them for a number of reasons. She was well-prepared for college. She still had time for a social life and other activities. But she would probably like to get back all those lost hours of homework.
My D is very happy that she completed the IB Diploma Programme, I’m not sure there is a better avenue for college readiness. Her second biggest time-eater in high school was working on the Girl Scout Gold Award but she loved her girl scout “tribe” of four and wouldn’t have had it any other way. I would imagine its very similar in time and effort as playing a sport in high school.
As for did it pay off? IB v. AP and GSGold v. Varsity Sport ?? In her quest for college admissions she will tell you that AP and Varsity Sports are held in higher esteem in her opinion. Regardless though, she was doing what she enjoyed and like I said, VERY prepared for college academics, especially in problem solving and time management.