<p>Hi,
I am currently an incoming HS freshman. I intend to take several advanced/AP courses as to sufficiently challenge myself and, of course, to gain college credit. I've been planning out my schedule, including self studies. Here is what I have so far:</p>
<p>Freshman - AP World History
NOTE: I also think I will self study regular Algebra II/Trig. Would you suggest that I do this while taking Geometry?</p>
<p>Sophomore - AP European History (self study), AP Environmental Science (self study)
NOTE: Precalculus self study? Would you suggest this?</p>
<p>Junior - AP English Language & Composition, AP Calculus BC (possible self study if my school doesn't let me accelerate when I complete all of the material), AP Bio, AP US History
NOTES: N/A</p>
<p>Senior - I'll divide this.
YEAR ROUND - AP English Literature & Composition, AP Chemistry, AP Physics C: Mechanics?(see below)
1st SEMESTER - AP Macroeconomics, AP Microeconomics (self study)
2nd SEMESTER - AP US Government and Politics, AP Comparative Government and Politics (Self Study)
NOTES:
AP Physics C: Mechanics is questionable. I hear it is intense, as is AP Chemistry, and I'm apprehensive about taking them both at the same time. Should I carry Chemistry over to Junior Year with AP Bio? Or should I just forgo one of them? I do want to take both Chem and Physics C, not only because it looks good on my college app, but because I do have an interest in science.
I also would like to fit another self study in there that isn't too time consuming. I'm considering Psychology, Human Geography, or Statistics. Which one?
Yes, I'm definitely going to continue with my math studies. Hopefully, I'll be allowed to take Multivariate Calc/Differential Equations or Linear Algebra. Whichever my school allows. ;-)</p>
<p>Any additions? Subtractions? Any more self studies?</p>
<p>This gives me a headache. For the math sequence, IF you’re really into math, ask your school if they’ll let you learn things at a faster pace than everyone else by requesting an independent study course. Like, learn geometry in a semester, then algebra II in a semester, etc. They allowed a couple people at my school to do that, but I would ONLY recommend you do that if you really enjoy math or find that it comes naturally to you.</p>
<p>In general, don’t take AP classes just because you want to. Do it because you find the material interesting. Instead of self-studying an AP that you find boring, volunteer somewhere or participate in an extracurricular. That stuff is a lot more important than you think.</p>
<p>Oh, and don’t take AP Bio and APUSH the same year. I’ve heard that it’s a terrible, terrible combination.</p>
<p>The only thing I wouldn’t recommend is self-studying so many consecutive math courses. Algebra II is a very important class with vital concepts, many of which you will encounter in precalculus. If anything, self-study geometry while taking Alegbra II or something. Geometry is the least important (I was in a geometry class of 8 students with a cool teacher, so we pretty much did nothing all year, and I made it just fine through Algebra II and pre-calc).</p>
<p>You’re going to find that as easy as it may sound to push yourself so hard, your thoughts and opinions will change once you’re actually in high school and know what it’s like. I have no doubt you’ll be re-visiting your plan once you get through your freshman year. ;)</p>
<p>@SeekingUny/Nonexistent- My school does not let us do that. Also, in my state, Geometry comes before Alg II. I’m probably going to have to settle with just completing up to AP Calculus BC in Senior Year. I wouldn’t have this dilemma if my school had offered more than Algebra I in the 8th grade. =|</p>
<p>@Nonexistent - Message received. =) APUSH might be an easy self study for me, since I took High School American History in middle school and finished with a 99. I also have some experience self studying USH, since I had to cover the Cold War to the Present on my own for our final exam, due to lack of time for our teacher to teach it all. </p>
<p>@soyeah - I’ve heard the rumors of 4-5 hours of sleep a night with any more than two AP courses. I’m probably going to drop APES, Physics C, Comparative, and Microeconomics. But who knows? =P</p>
<p>@Anon1993 - My school offers 14 AP courses, I believe. I count 14 listed. Might reduce to 10. Is 10/14 all right?</p>
I was lucky enough to go to a school that offered Algebra I in 7th grade and Geometry in 8th. It has given me an edge that only one or two other students in my grade have. But you don’t have to worry. Just go at your current pace (freshman/soph/jun- geo/alg2/precalc) and go right into Calc BC your senior year. </p>
<p>
If you’re only taking AP courses just to take as many as your school offers, you’re digging yourself a nice grave. Nobody cares how many you take out of how many possible at your school. The comment in Post #2 is misleading. And post #4 (second paragraph) is good advice.</p>