The teachers at my school didn’t do a good job explaining the workload and difficulty of classes we could take, as well as what classes we should take junior/senior year depending on what our goals are. I want to get into a decently competitive college (maybe top state colleges), but I also want a manageable course load.
I’m currently taking:
-AP world history
-H Algebra 2
-H Bio
-H English 10
-Physics
-Choir
And I have an off block. I got all As first semester. Currently, I can manage the work I have, but more homework would be pushing it. I have around 10-15 hours of homework a week. Though with better habits and such I could probably handle more.
Next year,
I know for sure I will be taking:
-AP Lang
-Chemistry
-H Pre calc
I’m not sure if I should:
-Take APUSH or normal us history
-Take AP Psych OR AP Gov and Health (I need both a gov and pe credit, I could take these as a senior)
-Take Spanish 4 or have an off block
Currently, my off block is super helpful in getting homework done, but I know it’s good to take 4 years of Spanish. I could take Spanish 4 senior year, but not if I’m also taking AP gov and health then. I’m also taking choir, though if I don’t get into the next level choir I might take spanish instead of that. Sorry if this is confusing lol and thank you so much for any help!
If you want to take Spanish, better to take it as soon as possible. You have already had a year’s learning gap from Spanish 3. Honestly, aside from APUSH, your course schedule looks to be just about as rigorous as current years. Can you take Chem HN? The drop from bio HN might not be too favorable.
I would agree with taking honors chemistry over regular chemistry.
If your not taking Spanish this year (it isn’t listed) I would take it next year or not take it at all - a 2 year gap is a lot for languages.
If you don’t want chorus drop it unless you need a music/art type credit but don’t drop it to look better for colleges - colleges don’t mind seeing 4 years of music classes.
History - I would only drop to honors history not regular history. If you enjoy AP World stick with APUSH.
I would take AP Gov’t/Health junior year so that senior year you can take an elective of your choice (does not need to be AP or even a core class) which you can decide later.
I don’t know about study hall - those are not offered at our high school except for struggling students. I don’t think they help or hurt you any so my guess is if you actually utilize the time and find it helpful it is fine to take.
I definitely think you should utilize the study hall! Can you take Gov + Health this year, and save APUSH for senior year? Or vice versa? I think you should keep Spanish 4 over doubling up in the humanities.
Thanks so much for the advice y’all! I think I’m going to take Spanish 4 because I agree that a 2 year gap would be too much and not take APUSH so I have the time for a full schedule. And then possibly drop choir if I really need a study hall. I have to double up on humanities now or have an extra class senior year because I took ap human geography as a freshman and still need a government credit.
My school doesn’t have honors history or honors chemistry. We have to take either normal us history or APUSH junior year, otherwise I would consider it senior year. There is AP chem, but you have to take normal chemistry first.