Hello, everyone. (I’m currently an 8th grader, by the way, just to clear up any confusion)
My school’s selection of classes are poor, at best, and I’d like to be able to finish my first year in high school with at least an AP or two under my belt just so that I can get a firm start on my high school path.
Next year I’ll be taking all honors classes with the exception of gym and Latin II, so it won’t be anything too rigorous.
Is this a bad idea?
If not, what are the easiest APs to self-study for? I’ve heard that AP psych and AP environmental science are both pretty vanilla.
And what’s the easiest way of going about this? What books do you guys recommend?
Thanks for the help ~
I’d recommend AGAINST taking AP classes as a freshman. This is the equivalent to a college-level class.
Don’t take the AP that is “easiest”. Take the APs that interest you and/or will be connected to your field. If you really want to self-study for one, the easiest AP classes are: Psychology, Environmental Science, Human Geography, American Government and Politics
I’ve heard Princeton review is phenomenal!
You can get a “firm start” with all honors classes (except gym and Latin II). You don’t need to self study any classes.
Despite what you may read here, most freshmen take no AP’s. Some might take 1 if it’s part of the school curriculum, like AP Human Geography (which isn’t even an AP course, IMO, but I digress). AP classes are meant to mirror intro college classes, and there are few 9th graders that are ready for that challenge. You may very well be one that is, although looking for the easiest AP and then the easiest way to study for it gives me pause.
There are valid reasons to self study an AP class, but you haven’t mentioned one that applies to your situation.
Thank you two for the advice. I’ll think carefully about my decision.
I’m very interested in biology and English, but those are quite obviously off-limits at the present, AP-wise, anyway.
Self studying AP courses isn’t worth it. It’s better to learn something.
I suppose that’s a good point. I’ll keep that in mind, definitely.
Ap human geography should be the best choice. I believe many states do World Geography as a Freshman (at least in Texas) So you can actually get help from your teacher and get some overlaps!
Ap stat could be easy especially if you’re taking algebra 2 right now, as last units of algebra 2 do with statistics