Schedule Prob: Absolutely TERRIFIED of AP Calc AB

Pre-College Issues High School Life
1

<p>I'm in a bit of a predicament right now regarding my senior schedule.</p>

<p>Last year (junior year), I took a course in Honors Calculus. Initially, I signed up for AP Calculus AB, but I eventually dropped down to Honors due to my own request. I'm honestly not a very savvy math student and math had never been one of my stronger subjects, but last year in Honors Calculus, somehow it had become one of my better classes. I had never really clicked with Calculus in AP, but in honors, I just understood it better. I think this was probably due to having a teacher that I liked a lot more. The AP Calculus AB teacher is very intimidating, and I went to so much tutoring before, during, and after school, but I had never really done well in her class. I had a D average in the class by the middle of the first semester. I've never struggled so much in a class before. Usually I'm a straight-A student.</p>

<p>Then I requested to drop down to Honors. I ended up finishing junior year with a 96 in her class, the highest I've ever had in a math class in high school.</p>

<p>Here is the situation: I signed up to take AP Statistics my senior year, but due to circumstances, it is impossible to fit it into my schedule with the other classes I'm taking. Instead, they have put me BACK in AP Calculus AB. I've gone to my guidance counselor desperate to try and get me switched into AP Stats, but she has told me that it is impossible regarding my other AP classes. I mentioned to her that my Honors Calculus teacher told our class at the end of junior year that we should proceed to either Regular Prob and Stats or AP Stats (there is no honors), and that it was not recommended to go to AP Calc.</p>

<p>Now the school is apparently permitting me to take AP Calculus AB due to my schedule restraints. I remember being absolutely terrified of AP Calculus AB my junior year. It was honestly the hardest class I had ever taken, and I remember dedicating so much time to it, yet I just could not raise my grade for some reason. This AP Calc teacher has been infamous for her incredibly challenging and mind bending classes, but she is renowned for her high percentage of students who pass the AP Calc exams.</p>

<p>This issue doesn't leave me many options, but I could either stay in AP Calculus AB, possibly drop down to Regular Prob and Stats, or give up AP Lit or AP Gov to make room for AP Stats. </p>

<p>In Honors Calculus, we studied mainly limits, derivatives, anti-derivatives, and integrals.</p>

<p>*** Would having already experienced this slightly less rigorous Calculus material last year possibly help me survive AP Calc AB this year? *** Or should I not risk it and drop to regular? As much as I'd prefer AP Stats, I don't think that class is really an option right now, for I'd personally prefer to keep AP Gov and AP Lit.</p>

<p>Senior Schedule
-AP English Literature
-A regular graduation requirement class
-AP Spanish
-AP Calc AB
-an undecided science class (not sure about AP Bio or Honors Anatomy)
-AP Gov
-Chamber Choir (artistic elective)</p>

<p>Junior Schedule
-AP English Language
-A regular graduation requirement class
-Honors Spanish 4
-Honors Calculus (initially took AP Calc AB but could not handle it)
-Honors Chemistry
-APUSH
-Chamber Choir</p>

2

<p>I’m hoping to major in college as something related to English or writing, like journalism, if that makes a difference.</p>

3

<p>I’d take Calc AB. Honestly, taking honors calc first will make it a lot easier. If you do well on the exam, you won’t have to take calc in college.</p>

4

<p>The fact that you’ve already taken honors calculus will be very helpful. AP Calculus AB is nothing to be afraid of. If you happen to struggle, get a tutor! Also, <a href=“http://www.khanacademy.org”>www.khanacademy.org</a> has plenty of helpful videos to explain various calculus concepts. I honestly think you’ll be fine. Just work hard and make sure you get the help that you need if you’re struggling. Good luck! :)</p>

5

<p>Honors Calclulus should at least give you some background, and AB isn’t very tough to be honest.</p>

<p>Can you do the following problems?</p>

<ol>
<li>Find the limit as x approaches 3 of (x^2-9)/(x^2-5x+6)</li>
<li>Find the derivative of 2x^3 + 3x^2</li>
<li>Find the derivative of sin(3x^2)</li>
<li>Find the antiderivative of x^2 </li>
<li>Find the tangent line to y=6x^2+3x at the point (1, 9)</li>
</ol>

<p>If you can do these 6 problems, you probably know at least half of AB Calc already.</p>

6

<p>AP calc AB isn’t that hard just do enough problems and you’ll understand that it’s pretty repetitive. </p>

7

<p>I think you’ll be fine, and AP Calculus BC might even be redundant if you’ve already learned some calculus (which is probably why your school doesn’t recommend taking it). Most people take it without knowing anything about limits or derivatives. </p>