I am going into 10th grade and here is my schedule
Trigonometry Honors
English 2- More challenging Options: CP OR H
World History- More challenging Options: AP or Honors
Chemistry- More challenging Honors or AP
Spanish 3
Track and field/stngth and cond
What I am struggling with is, knowing if I would like the subject or do good in the honors/ap class. I am kinda scared to go into a super competitive ap class raw and I just want to focus on what I like. I like math as of right now and maybe some history, like world history. But i don’t really know, since i haven’t taken it. So I need to see if i like world history. (maybe i could compensate with an ap for the lack of rigorous classes) I took English Honors in 9th grade, but this year I’m thinking of dropping that class to CP, because lots of help was required for that class. Especially on like every assignment. It’s fine to not take aps this year, but ill definitely take some junior year. For Chemistry Honors, I didn’t like biology, as I got a B for both semesters, and my grade fluctuated up and down for a bit, at the time. Maybe Chemistry would be different from biology. I apologize for my ignorance right now, Let’s see if you guys are able to help me out.
In our HS, students need to be recommended for AP or Honors classes by their teachers, because they can assess the student’s ability and are familiar with the expectations. I would ask your last social studies teacher, if you like history. They might know the questions to ask you or the teacher for the next year to see if you would be a good fit.
Generally, colleges like to see the strongest grades in the most challenging classes available. Some folks will say a B in an AP class is better than an A in a regular one and some will say an A in an AP is better than both of those, which is true, but is difficult for many students. The challenge is finding the right balance for YOU.
You have got this! This is your year to build on your strengths.
With Trig this year, you should be ready for Calculus junior year - try for AP, depending on your school. Then maybe Prob and stats Senior year (AP or Dual Credit depending on your school).
If you feel stronger in math, Honors Chemistry might be more of your thing than Biology was. I would not jump right into Chem AP. You can take that another year if interested.
Based on needing some help in 9th grade English honors build your foundation in 10th grade. Your teachers will be able to help you with Honors or CP. You may have grown a lot this year by asking for help. This was a tough year for lots of kids because of COVID.
If you like social studies, consider AP Human Geo or AP Psychology if offered. They are both good first AP classes at many schools. AP US History is tough for many, so get some feedback from your school counselor or teachers. If you took the PSAT, they will have recommendations for what you may be successful in.
Do not overload yourself. Find a healthy balance and an activity that you enjoy, not just bead use you think colleges want to see a certain thing. Good luck!
What’s your current GPA?
Stick with English Honors, even if it’s hard and you need help: good writing and reading comprehension will be invaluable in all subjects.
Try World History Honors. It’s not so much about liking it but rather reinforcing the skills you’ve been learning in English and applying them to another subject, and learning more in-depth. If you struggled with English Honors, I wouldn’t recommend ApWH since this class requires a lot of reading, writing, synthesizing, skills you may not have mastered yet. By working on these skills in English Honors and History Honors, you may be ready to take an AP in Humanities junior year but give yourself time to grow.
If you want to apply to a competitive college both classes will be expected and with Bs or higher.
If you are good at math, definitely take Math Honors.
Did you take Regular Bio or Honors bio? Ask your teacher what s/he thinks wrt Chemistry.
(Ap Chem is a senior level class that assumes you took Chem Honors first).
Keep Spanish 3 and the PE class. If you school offers a 7th period, see if you can join an art class, a choral group, etc. For camaraderie and a fun class to change your routine a bit.
total gpa is 3.67 uw 4.0 weighted. Thank you I will try signing up for world history honors and maybe go back into english honors. I took regular bio nd i kinda had to teach it alone to an extent cuz of the pandemic… but my teacher dont rly respond to mails. yes, they have 0 period and ill look into some classes. Thank you
Yes, I’ll defo take ap calculas in junior. Ohh, ill take the psat in 10th grade too. Also, thank you for the ap class recommendations I’ll know what to take in junior if i take the correct classes. Thank you. And yeah, I’ll probably go with some honors this year and definitely honors and ap in junior. Thank you so much for the help.
Junior year, you could take APES or, if you’re good at math and do well in Trig Honors, Ap Physics 1. (Physics 1 reinforces Algebra and trig concepts, but applied to situations like speed, leverage…)
Keep English Honors (or Ap English Language if you gor a B+ or higher in 10th grade English Honors) and Spanish 4, add Ap Calc AB, US History Honors, and one class that looks interesting ( which can be Ap or not- Ap Psych, AP CS Principles, APES, AP Human Geo -these last 2 deal with “real world”, current issues.) And bam you’ve got a strong schedule.
Next year post again for ideas regarding senior year
No need to take a Period zero class if your regular schedule is 6 periods. That time is better spent sleeping (not kidding - sleep is essential for the smooth running of your brain znd teens tend to neglect it.)
Ohh my gosh thank you… and haha yeah we do need sleep. I bet 0 period would be hell getting up at like 5 or 6am everyday lol…
Also in english honors im kinda scared because of the competitiveness and that i really couldn’t do assignments alone! I will try harder this year.
here is what my schedule looks like:
Spanish 3
PE
Trig honors
English 2 Honors
world history honors
chemistry normal or chemistry honors when i ask my teacher. (pre req for chem honors is B or higher in bio)
Is honors Spanish an option? That was a very easy class for my kid. Merit money generally comes from unweighted grades. So if you are searching for merit, you are going to want to choose classes where you can get Better grades versus rigor. Based on your gpa in college prep classes right now and struggling to grasp concepts in English class, you might struggle in other AP or honors classes. Maybe take a practice psat and see where you score. That will give you a better idea of whether you should be shooting for higher rigor across the board or just in math or not at all. I would say don’t go up on rigor if you can’t keep your unweighted gpa above a 3.5.
As for colleges, look into Colleges that Change Lives (there’s a website). They’re all reputable, student-centered colleges that have good financial aid.
Do not take honors or AP in anything you struggle with - it may take time away from classes you could enjoy and excel in.
Do look at the progression/prerequisites at your school. Try not avoid getting onto a path that cuts off options you think you might consider.
Do take harder classes in subjects you like and do well in.
This is about balance!
Definitely talk to your teachers from this year about what you are considering and your concerns. They can probably assess your situation better than we can.
Also, think about how you function best. My kid was one who preferred the challenge, engagement, and pace of a harder class and would happily earn a B in that than get an A in an easier class. There are colleges that like this kind of student. So rather than focus on being what you think a college wants, trust that if you are true to yourself and your learning style and are mastering the material, there will be a good college for you. By all means, work hard at what you choose!
Thank you. I can take Spanish 4 honors in 11th grade, then ap Spanish language in senior year.That is good advice and I will take the psat to see where I am strong at. Should I stick with English honors.
I’d ask your 9th grade English teacher. If you needed help this year but it got you to honors level, stick with it! But if you needed help and are still shaky, maybe you want to back off. Your teacher is likely to have the most appropriate answer for you.
I struggled first semester but did better second. My second semester gpa was 3.7/4.1(w)
3rd quarter i had all a’s one B, that B being in graphic design. Fourth quarter I had a b, being in biology. It’s a 3.7 because of some A-'s.
My second semester gpa was 3.7/4.1(w)
3rd quarter i had all a’s one B, that B being in graphic design. Fourth quarter I had all A’s and one b, being in biology. It’s a 3.7 because of some A-'s.
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Listen to to the advice to talk with your teachers from last year. They are going to have the best advice because they know you. My younger sister has a very similar profile to you. She was always the hardest worker but some APs were just too hard for her and that struggle took away from the higher level classes she could do well in. I can tell by the thought you are putting into it, you are going to be a kid who succeeds. The trick is finding the right mix. And only people who know you in real life can really help you with that. Honors Spanish is a safe bet, it’s generally not harder than regular Spanish. AP Spanish is a different animal, at least at our school it depends on being able to speak it well. My son breezed through all levels of honors Spanish but can’t speak it to save his life, so he is not taking AP for the final year.
