Language, Music, or Math?

Parents Forum
1

<p>Hi. ^^; I posted this on the High School Life part of the forum, but was told to repost here, saying that the knowledgeable parents on this forum would help. So, I'm having trouble deciding how to schedule my classes in a way that is beneficial to my current year and overall class choices for my transcript... I'm going to be a sophomore this year... My current schedule as of now is...</p>

<p>2 Periods[Blocked]: Chemistry & Study Hall (Chemistry on Monday, Wednesday, Friday)
World History
Pre-AP English 10
Orchestra
Lunch
Algebra II
Pre-AP Geometry</p>

<p>So, the problem is, I can't fit Spanish III in due to me doubling in Math, as well as having a blocked Chemistry/Study Hall. I can't help the Chemistry being blocked with study hall, because study hall was supposed to be Health, until I took Health in the summer, hoping to take the only single period Science which is Conceptual Physics. In the end, it was full, so I had to settle for Chemistry. I decided to take 2 Math classes, because I love math, and I wanted to catch up to the advanced math class so I can get to Calculus in my Senior year. We're required to take Trig. before Calculus, so it would be impossible without doubling. All my other classes are core classes, so the only optional ones there are Orchestra and Algebra II (Since I'm already taking Pre-AP Geometry). Just so you know, my school is sorta small, so it's choices are limited, and there aren't much classes or AP classes.. And AP classes can't even be taken unless you're a Junior or Senior... My original thought was to not take Spanish III during my sophomore year, and just take it during my Junior year, and since I also love languages, to take Latin I and Latin II during my Junior and Senior year respectively. However, I read on some college websites, such as Harvard's, that taking a 'break' from a language for a year is unacceptable. D: But I also really like Orchestra, and like, 1/3 of my ECs are from Orchestra... So I'm asking you, is, is it really unacceptable to take a break from Languages? I wish there was a way to keep all these classes, but my school's science options make me waste a whole period, making it totally impossible. I really don't want to choose between Language Music or Math, even if they're total separate areas of learning... Can anyone give me advice on what to do, or tell me if it's alright to take a year off of Language in these circumstances? I plan to make up for it by taking Latin I & II (Was planning on doing that anyways). I'm so confused on what to do, because any choice I make will somehow ruin one of my options. 'Cause I'm really interested in all these areas, and I don't think I can make a choice between these areas at the moment. Sorry for dragging this out. :/ Basically, what I'm going to ask is... "Is taking a year off of my Foreign language unacceptable in the eyes of a college?", "If I do have to make a choice between these 3 things, what guidelines do you suggest I use to choose?" and just in case anyone has an idea, "Is there any way to cram all these classes in somehow? My main objective is to take Calculus by my senior year, take orchestra all 4 years, take enough foreign language to get into a decent college? Basically, the best choice to have a transcript that is good for college.". Sorry if I didn't make sense, or am repeating things a lot. ^^; I'm just really stressed out about this. Thanks a lot for spending a chunk of your day reading this, haha.</p>

2

<p>Have you considered using a distance learning course for one of your math courses? (I'll suggest doing this for Algebra II.) You may be able to work on the course during your study hall. That would free up one of your math periods for Spanish.</p>

3

<p>Tell us what's available outside of school where you live.
Is there a Youth Orchestra you can play in (and is it any good)?
Can you take classes at a community college in Spanish?</p>

<p>If nothing is available in your community, look into taking one of your math classe online or next summer. Languages are really hard to pick up after a year off. It's really too bad that your school forces you into a study hall, but regular Chem is usually looked on more favorably than Conceptual Physics, which could be hard or remedial depending on the school.</p>

4

<p>Well, I'm planning on talking to a counselor about available options for classes outside of regular school. I play in the local Youth Orchestra, which is actually pretty good, and you can only play in it if you are in your school's orchestra program... So I have a lot to lose from getting out of orchestra if I do. I know it's possible maybe to do some classes online, but summer classes are only for people who failed the class after already taking it, since our school is limited... There's a college right next to my school, but I'm not sure if my school would allow me to take some classes there after school... I'm hoping I don't have to take a year off of Spanish, because when I was self studying japanese, I didn't do it for 3 months during the summer, and I lost a lot of what I learned earlier... I'm hoping that will work since that would solve all my problems, but if there aren't any options like that available, which should I go for? AP Spanish or AP Calculus in my Senior Year? Which looks more pleasing on a transcript? I don't know what I want to do in the future, so I'm trying to leave my options open, making me want to take the most advanced math classes available. I'm confident in my language learning abilities due to me coming from a bilingual family as well as learning Japanese at a fairly good speed.</p>

5

<p>I'd agree that doing math via distant learning might be the best of your options. My son had much the same issue last year. He ended up having to take regular math instead of honors in order to be in the orchestra. A community college Spanish class would be my second choice.</p>

6

<p>Since it's August, your counselor is probably already back at work. Call and talk to him or her. Also talk to the local college. Seems like you have a great chance to take a math class through the college and study during your study hall, and then take Spanish at your school.
HOpe it all works out for you!</p>

7

<p>I agree that you should stay in orchestra. Don't know much about music, but it seems that if you had a year away from orchestra, you would lose a lot as well as miss out on the opportunity to advance your skills. I think either Spanish or math at the college would be fine. If you go with an online class for math or Spanish, I'd think math might be better, because unless there's a real time component, you would probably miss most opportunities to practice speaking the language. Your counselor should be able to help. Good luck!</p>