Dropping AP classes Mid year

i am currently a junior in high school with a 3.2 gpa. I did extremely well in U.S. History last year so i figured i would be a good idea to take AP World History (first AP or honors class i have taken) this year. Half the semester is over this week and i have yet to pass a test but i have done all of the homework and currently have a C in the class. I am struggling to understand the material even with the teachers help and i am worried my grade could drop to a D or possibly but not likely, an F. I am considering switching to regular World history at the end of the semester which i am certain i could get no lower than an A- in, but i am worried only taking one semester would make it look like i cannot handle college level learning and would possibly hurt my chances of getting accepted to the college of my choice. I am planning on applying to moderately easy schools with acceptance rates ranging for 60%-80%

In your case it makes perfect sense to change to the regular class. It is much better to get a good grade in the on-level, than to wipe out in the AP class.

Don’t worry about not being able to “handle college level learning” when you are still a junior in high school. What matters in the long run is whether or not you will be able to do that when you do get to college.

But do you think switching would hurt my chances of acceptance?

If you’re planning to apply to colleges with acceptance rates ranging 60-80% then it’s doubtful that it would make a difference. However getting a D in any of your classes can make a difference.

Getting a C or D is going to hurt your chance of acceptance more. You may have to adjust your sights on less selective colleges if you can’t handle AP World as a junior. That’s not the end of the world. There are hundreds of colleges out there.