<p>I'm signing up for my Junior classes, and this is how my sophomore schedule looks:</p>
<p>Semester 1 - final grade:
A/V 1 - 93 (slacker class)
Honors English 2 - 86
Modern World History - 90
Honors Algebra 2 - 94</p>
<p>Semester 2 - what grade I expect to get:
Honors Chemistry - A
Creative Writing - B (actually very hard but still an elective)
Honors Precalculus - A-
Honors Latin 4 - A</p>
<p>I'm planning on signing up for the following classes, but I'm kind of worried that I may be setting myself up to drown in work:</p>
<p>U.S. History A
AP Junior English
AP Chemistry (2 semesters)
AP Physics C (2 semesters)
AP Calculus (2 semesters)</p>
<p>The main thing I'm wondering about is AP Physics C. I don't know ANYTHING about physics right now, but a lot of people at my school just go right into AP Physics C without any prior knowledge. AP Physics B, and normal mechanical/wave physics are also available.</p>
<p>Sorry to bother you guys, but what are your thoughts on this?</p>
<p>Calculus is a co-requisite (or pre-requesite) for Physics C at my school. I’ve heard the physics teacher teaches you all the math you need to know if you don’t know it.</p>
<p>So you’re going from no APs to four APs? I mean, some people can do that no problem, but unless you have no life (i.e. no extracurriculars) then I don’t see how you’ll be able to easily adjust to such a rigorous schedule. </p>
<p>I’m not familiar with the hierarchy/path of physics courses, but have you considered maybe taking physics honors this year (alongside AP Calc), and then taking AP Physics C your senior year? It’s advantageous in two ways: 1) your junior schedule will be eased a bit, and 2) taking AP Physics your senior year will be simpler considering you have the basics of physics as well as the full year of calculus.</p>
<p>Yeah, I guess there’s no reason to rush it just because most people in my grade are taking AP Physics C alongside AP Calc next year. Most of them had AP Chem as a sophomore. I didn’t get to take Honors Chem as a freshman so I couldn’t. I think I’ll just sign up for mechanical physics (not honors because there is no honors physics in my school) and an elective or U.S. History B.</p>
<p>My son is taking Honors Physics in 11th now and will take AP Physics C next year. He could not take AP sciences without first taking the regular course; he will also take AP bio next year. He will take Calc BC next year as well. He’s also taken Honors Bio and Chem.</p>
<p>So is your conclusion that you will only be taking AP Physics C Mechanics? Whether that is the right choice or not, how confident are you? Although the Calculus concern is a legitimate one, it’s fairly basic calculus so the Physics teacher will be able to help you guide through all the math. </p>
<p>I’m self studying both Physics C tests this year because I was tired of how slow the Honors course was, and frankly, I’m scared for the Physics C E/M test, and this is after I’ve taken Calculus BC last year. That is not to say that you shouldn’t do it. If you think you have a knack for Physics, I would say go for it! Why not push yourself? Try looking through a couple prep books or textbooks on the material Physics C covers and see whether you think you could it or not. </p>
<p>If I was in your shoes, I would probably end up taking AP Physics C Mechanics if I felt it was too big of a jump for me. If I felt confident, I would end up taking both tests. Your choice either way.</p>
<p>It looks as if your grades are good enough to jump into those other AP courses. If you study the fundamentals of Calculus well enough, I don’t see why you won’t get a 5. AP English really depends on how well you write essays under time pressure, along with how well you respond to somewhat cryptic reading comprehension questions. If your teacher is competent, you should be alright. AP Chemistry is a bit more difficult, but if you’ve taken Honors and excelled (as you predict), you should be fine. Feel free to ask any other questions!</p>