<p>So this is a serious question. Does anyone else feel they are rotting away in school? I don't mean this like "we could be partying instead!" I mean I feel that there is so much more that can be learned outside of school than inside.</p>
<p>I'm taking six AP classes next year and spanish. The only two subjects I actually want to take are AP calc and maybe AP econ. There's a lot of other things that I want to learn like computer programming, but it's impossible to learn in school.</p>
<p>I've been working on a Siemens project and have an idea for ISEF, and honestly school is like a distraction. I've learned so much more science from doing research than from taking AP science classes.</p>
<p>Does anyone else feel like this? That there's stuff you WANT to do and learn but can't because of school?</p>
<p>I mean, there are some classes that I thought were a waste of my time and other things that stopped me from taking classes I really wanted to take.</p>
<p>If anything it’s the people in some of my classes plus the above that’s a waste of time more than anything. I feel horrible for my teachers sometimes, that they have to teach to students that are clearly not interested.</p>
<p>I feel like its a mix of both. If the majority of students don’t pay interest to any subject or any effort, most teachers will either ignore it and continue on to teach or get by and be very easy. But at the same time, I wish schools allowed more self study and more opporotunities to learn a bout subjects that might not be found in most hs or not taught well.</p>
<p>Idk I’ve never had this problem. Even as a kindergartner, Ive always liked school, and thought it was useful. I just hate how powerless you are, and how you’re under full control of admins and teachers.</p>
<p>I feel like I could complete most of the work much more quickly if I only received education on things I needed guidance on. Like possibly get through high school in two years.</p>
<p>But there’s this new thing parents do that’s a form of homeschooling and it’s called unschooling. It’s basically student-led learning (the student chooses what they want to learn). It sounds like something you would’ve really liked.</p>
<p>First thing that came to mind was that quote by Mark Twin: “I’ve never let my schooling interfere with my education.” ;)</p>
<p>I don’t think school’s really a waste of time. I think it’s important for people to have a solid understanding of most topics, at least up until a certain point, so that people can make an informed decision on their career path. I do hate how, for example, I was required to take Music in 10th grade… I’m the least musical person I know and it was a complete waste of my time. By this point, most of the musical people are already in band, choir, etc. I think the core subjects (Math, Science, English, History, etc.) should be required, though.</p>
<p>Look up the book “College without High School” and google unschooling. Although I don’t do it, it seems very appealing. </p>
<p>Also, if you don’t want to buy that book I mentioned, go to the iBooks store and just download the free sample. It will probably be enough to explain what unschooling is.</p>
<p>In my middle school it always seemed like I was held back by most of the other kids in my class. It’s not that they were not smart, I just learned way faster than them. At that time I felt that school was pretty useless and that it would be way more productive if I were to just learn all that stuff on my own and then have extra time to do other stuff.</p>
<p>I know immunology and biochem far better than a student in high school would know it. It’s real, hands on learning where you learn to think critically, write, read, make changes etc. </p>
<p>And my dilema is the same as yours. I’d much rather be in the lab working than be spending hours of time on busywork. Like, yeah- a basic foundation is important, but I’m being forced to continue french because schools like it. I’m going to be forced to memorize archaic details for history and so forth.</p>
<p>I think school should have an option for kids that want to specialize early and let them design their own schedules. I know I need to continue with my math, english, physics, bio, chemistry and social studies, but I really would much rather be working on real science and I’m sure that kids could find a way to space out their classes. However, instead, we’re required to conform to a set model. -_-</p>
<p>8 hours a day at school + transportation can be a lot, especially in a 24 hour day. If days were longer, I wouldn’t complain. There is much to be gained from the core subjects I listed above, but putting them into practice is far more satisfying and interesting. </p>
<p>Wait OP, if you are taking 6 AP classes and only want to take 2, why not just take the ones you want to take…? Or compromise your being a slave to the college system and take 3 or 4? Then you’d have more time to do the things you want in either study halls or in less time spent on homework. You are the master of your own fate. Don’t blame it on the school.</p>
<p>Hmm, I had to think about that for a reason. Let’s see. Two of them I like, three others (AP Lang, APUSH, Spanish III), are graduation requirements so that brings it up to 5/7 classes. AP chem is useful and I plan on taking the subject test even if I don’t care for the subject. And then there’s APES, which I’m taking sort of as a grade cushion (for lack of better term) because it’s a really easy AP class at my school.</p>
<p>But you’re right, kissmeimnotirish (cool name!). I guess there is some mob psychology involved, sort of a why not take it? ideology. It’s almost a tragedy of the commons/collusion scenario in which we all take a lot of AP classes with the end result being that we all work much harder with the same results. The only way to break free would be to collude, but sadly it is much too late for that. My school does rank, and sadly my class is rather competitive. Hence tragedy of the commons.</p>
<p>Okay I understand now. How are AP classes requirements? o_0 At our school they offer all levels of courses even though most people take AP or Honors. I sadly also have fallen into this sort of construct and have come to regret a few choices I made. Too bad. APEGS (geoscience) at our school was supposed to be super easy but the teachers made it to a harsh level over the summer so so many people were stuck doing work till ridiculous hours of the morning. Not a good judgement call there.</p>
<p>^ stuff like that always makes me die a little inside. A lot of 2014’s doubled up on sciences so they could take AP Bio their junior years, and they had a miserable time in Honors Bio because they underestimated the work even though bio is “an easy class.” I didn’t feel bad for them in the slightest because all they did was whine and complain about their poorly-managed workloads.</p>
<p>Also, all of my friends think i’m crazy for not giving in and taking AP classes. No siree, i’d rather be taking classes I really want to take instead of classes that a.) impress colleges b.) impress my peers, and c.) impress my parents (who couldn’t care less).</p>
<p>Really I think with high school, it’s what you make of it. Annoying kids in your class that don’t want to be there and try to undermine everyone else? Ignore them. Focus on the positives. You want to try to impress colleges by stuffing your schedule with so many AP classes that you can hardly remember what they all are? If you really want to, go for it. I think with high school it’s especially important to think of it like that.</p>
<p>The AP classes aren’t the requirement; the *subject<a href=“English,%20some%20form%20of%20US%20History”>/i</a> are requirements. It’s just better to take the AP version because the other versions are mind numbingly slow.</p>
<p>I have to admit, some of those core requirements are nutty. I always disliked my non-academic core requirements, it just wasn’t something that interested me at all. I didn’t mind jumping out of my comfort zone for a little bit but for a whole year…nehh. Didn’t like it. But I still tried to make the best out of it, even had a bit of fun and squeaked out an A in piano class.</p>