Honors or regular classes?

Pre-College Issues High School Life
1

<p>So here's a little story:</p>

<p>I'm a sophomore at a public school in Virginia.</p>

<p>I'm taking a year-ahead math (Algebra 2, Geometry is the standard class for sophomores) and it is an Honors class.</p>

<p>The problem is, I'm not exactly a math-oriented person.</p>

<p>I got a C in Algebra 2 for the first marking period, despite the fact I have NEVER gotten a C in my life. I work really hard, but I get so-so grades.</p>

<p>So here's the question, should I stay in the Honors class?
I know I can pull my grade up to a high B, and maybe with great effort and some help from above an A. But should I really work that hard for a B in an Honors class.</p>

<p>One of my good friends switched out of Honors Algebra 2 at the beginning of the semester into regular Algebra 2, and claims it was the best decision she made all year. It's an easy A in regular Algebra 2.</p>

<p>Is an Honors B worth more than a Regular A?</p>

<p>Here are some pros and cons</p>

<p>Cons:
-Honors Algebra 2 screws with my head, I've never been so stressed out in my life.
- I am constantly worried about Algebra 2, even when I'm hanging out with friends
- I study for days, but I still get nervous on the tests and rush
- I'm surrounded by kids that I know are smarter than me
- I have all Honors classes, so I have an insane workload
- The teacher sucks, a great woman, but she's bad at teaching. I find myself correcting her at some points in the class</p>

<p>Pros:
-Its an Honors credit
- I know I can pull my grade up
- It's an Honors credit
-It's an Honors credit
-It's an Honors Credit</p>

<h2>-Colleges dig Honors credits</h2>

<p>Thanks guys, and get some chill over break.</p>

2

<p>if its that stressful to you dont take it but colleges would much rather see a B in an honors class than an A in a regular class</p>

3

<p>Well, if you have a bunch of other honors classes, and math really isn't your thing, then I personally don't think it's worth your time to stay in the class. Colleges would rather see a B in an honors course than an A in regular, but it seems like your current class is just way to stressful for you.</p>

4

<p>yea it seems like staying in it is just going to detrimental to your health. just drop it, get the a in regular and do better in all your other classes</p>

5

<p>^ I was sort of in the same boat...when I was in 8th grade, I took geometry. Most of my friends went into Honors Alg 2 as freshmen, and I went into regular algebra 2. I was the only freshman there b.c it was a senior class, and yeah it was easier, but I had a high A and really felt like I understood the material, whereas some of my friends did not.</p>

<p>I say go into regular, if colleges ask why in an interview (or when you fill in the info where it asks to explain any discrepancies in your grades) just be honest.</p>

6

<p>In terms of your cons, it's not always a bad thing to be a little out of your comfort zone. These other kids are a great resource if you need help, and you'll probably grow more as a math person this year because of them. Is there any way you can talk to another math teacher about studying effectively for tests/getting extra help, or maybe even switch teachers for the same course level?</p>

<p>That being said-- you're already a year ahead in math anyway, and it seems to me that it wouldn't be an awful thing to drop down to regular-level. I took a mix of regular-level and honors/AP classes every year and felt good about my choices-- I challenged myself in a realistic way. Moral of the story, you need to feel that you did everything you could to try and succeed in the honors class, or you might regret dropping down later on, especially if it becomes more difficult to switch levels in later years (in my experience, that's true).</p>

7

<p>It looks like you've answered your own question. I had a pretty similar situation though. I was scheduled to take Algebra II Honors as a freshman, but due to some weird administrative mishap, the class filled up and I was stuck in a regular Alg. 2 class with all seniors. It was an easy A, but later on I came to regret not pushing harder to make them put me back into the honors class. The only reason why is because I later found out in Pre-Calc that the honors class had a different curriculum and covered a little more material that I would happen to need in the next level. I managed to learn it again in Pre-Calc, but it sure would have helped if I wasn't in a class that was the math dead-end for most students at my school.</p>

<p>If you know that you won't be able to keep up at all in the honors class, don't put the unnecessary stress on yourself. What's most important is that you're able to learn the material -- honors credit or not. If you're seriously concerned about GPA and such, try recalculating your grades based on your schools point system with a Honors C versus a Regular A. Based on my point system, an Honors B = Regular A, so it comes down to the style in which you'd like to learn.</p>

8

<p>Colleges don't quite dig honors credits. They're ok, but don't really help much.</p>

9

<p>Colleges dig AP/IB credits... but then the kinds of colleges focused on in this site kind of expect honors credits. And when they're not there, it's like, huh? Anyway, if Honors is really that hard for you you should just drop down. I'm a freshman now and in Pre-Calc, and I'm doing great even though I took Alg 2 as a compressed summer course, so I think the regular class will prep you just fine! ^.^</p>

10

<p>Honestly, I think struggle is worthwhile if its a subject you love or your best subject. I don't think we should be afraid of struggle. But if you're like me and math isn't your best subject, I don't think its worth it to be in such a strenuous course unless you really just LOVE math. And now I'm not one to talk because I really enjoy math despite my ineptitude, but even I've had my moments when I'm like...huh? Why am I doing this? :)</p>