Freshman and Concerned

Pre-College Issues High School Life
1

<p>First off I'd just like to introduce myself. I've been viewing College Confidential boards since last year as I was preparing for high school life and wanted to accustom myself for college preparation. Well finally high school has come, but with it I feel so stressed out.</p>

<p>My high school is not a very competitive high school when it comes to colleges because we are located in the Midwest and the student body doesn't seem to be as strict with themselves as they should be. I have taken it upon myself to take advantage of what is offered and staying out of trouble. I've surrounded myself with the best of the best out of my class (guaranteed one of us will get summa cum laude) so I have a good support/study group. The problem is my schedule. Compared to some of the other freshman on this board I look like I'm in the sixth grade. Pre-Calculus already?! So here's my schedule;</p>

<p>1st hour: Physical Earth Science (highest science for freshman available)
I went through last year's honors science with flying colors, never had a B. I'm worried this year because it's recommended that you have already taken Algebra, which I haven't. There's a few of us in there who haven't, I usually catch on, but the teacher is so anal about her class being "fast-paced". I'm taking this in strides because I'm sure I can comprehend even if it's by studying harder than usual and or getting tutoring. (This is probably my hardest class this year!)</p>

<p>2nd hour: World History/Western Civilization (highest history for freshman available)
Teacher is said to be very strict. I'm used to studying and he said he's upfront about study habits (what should be done to study) and study guides. I'm prepared to take this class on as I'm used to writing notes and enjoy the curriculum. </p>

<p>3rd hour: Digital Communications
Basically this class is the basic computers course, but is required to move to more challenging courses within the subject.</p>

<p>4th hour: PE
No problem</p>

<p>5th hour: Student Council
Very active student council, we won the character award last year along with another high achieving award so this is a great extra-curricular. Does not count as a credit though, is this horrible? We go by the 5 point system for our GPA.</p>

<p>6th hour: Algebra I (basic)
Basically this class seems so easy because last year's teacher covered a lot of Algebra material. I understand it will get harder though, but my class is small and hopefully that means more one-on-one with the teacher. This is my weakest area.</p>

<p>7th hour: Language Arts II (highest language for freshman available)
Seems great. Language is my strongest subject and the teacher has a very likable personality.</p>

<p>Is this a really weak schedule? I want to enhance my chances as much as possible, but I am already stressed out about the curriculum and then I come on these boards and see freshman taking AP classes. I'm handling probably as much as possible right now, next year I will begin three years of Spanish. I just feel so disadvantaged because of my location, but private schools around here are not that much different from public academically speaking.</p>

<p>Thanks for the help, all answers appreciated!</p>

2

<p>Don’t fret; so what if some people are taking APs or Pre-Calculus in their freshmen year? That doesn’t mean that you have a sucky schedule. Honestly, you don’t have to be an overachiever to achieve success in school. Besides, all that stress so early in your HS life sucks time out of your free time and social life. Don’t try to pile up on APs just to be on the same level others are on. Move at the pace that feels comfortable to you, not your friends, not the classroom genius, not kids over the Internet. To make you feel better, here was my freshman schedule:</p>

<p>1st semester</p>

<p>World History Honors
Biology Honors
Algebra I Honors
Gym/Health</p>

<p>2nd semester</p>

<p>Geometry Honors
French II
10th Grade English Honors
Computer Applications</p>

<p>Our schedules are very similar actually! You’re a freshman. Take advantage of it. Do a sport, join a club, hang out with your family and friends. I wish I did instead of stressing over school 24/7. You have plently of time to relax and then take APs later on.</p>

3

<p>this title made me laugh. don’t be concerned as a freshman on your COURSES. be more concerned on adjusting to high school, finding your passions, etc etc</p>

<p>i originally though freshmen couldn’t take aps at all (someone from another thread corrected me; human geo is offered in some schools, but it’s not offered in all of them so don’t be too concerned) hence your schedule shouldn’t be too overloaded. most high schools start freshman year with very little freedom in course selection so it doesn’t relaly matter. </p>

<p>the only thing i would see other cc people talking about (i don’t personally agree with this) is that your math isn’t at an accelerated level. student council sounds nice actually (: and most of the other courses are requirements anyways.</p>

4

<p>Haha freshman unite! :smiley: Here’s my schedule, it’ll probably freak you out, but really I don’t freshman schedules matter that much :P</p>

<p>Honors English 10
AP USH
Spanish2
AP Comp Sci
Honors Alg 2
Honors bio</p>

<p>fun, right? XD</p>