Self-Studying Tough Classes

<p>Alright, I didn't know where to throw this so I put it here. I'm currently a junior right now in precalc and physics. I find that physics is incredibly easy and precalc is easy, so I've talked to my teachers about self-studying Calc and Physics B, and then going from there. Next year I would be in Calc II and Physics C (I've already started to work from here).</p>

<p>My question is, how hard is it to self-study and skip Calc and then skip Physics B and just take Physics C? I have Calculus with analytic geometry by Swokowski, Physics by Giancoli (physics B), and Physics by Halliday (physics C). We only have Calc AB at my school, and Calc BC is self-study; so for example you go to your calc I class, but during lunch or after school you stay for the BC stuff. I figured that I could skip Calc and just take Calc BC, and use a whole hour of school instead of just free time.</p>

<p>How rough do you think it's going to be? I find math and science classes to be easy. If you want to know what kind of student I am, I have a 3.9 GPA (not great I know, probably because I get bored with other classes) with just 1 AP class (we have limits at my school...)</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

<p>If you think that you are ready for Calculus BC, ask your school if you can get credit for Distance Learning courses. Johns Hopkins' CTY offers AP Calculus BC and they are not very strict about prerequisites (When I applied and got accepted for Calculus BC, I had only finished Algebra II Honors! :D). Perhaps you could do the same with AP Physics B; it would provide two extra AP credits and would also get you ahead and prepared for AP Physics C. There are still many months left until the beginning of the next school year, so I think that it is definitely possible. Good luck! :)</p>

<p>Are you getting credit for CTY's BC Calc, Chaos?</p>

<p>And who decides whether we get credit or not? The principal?</p>

<p>No, I'm not. Based on my conversation with the principle, the decision is not his, but more the school board's. However, I'm am not sure about the validity of his statement, knowing that students from various other schools in our district probably do receive credit for distance learning courses. This is most likely because of the size and the history of the other schools.</p>

<p>Anyway, to the OP, credit is important, but also ask if you can receive placement if you demonstrate knowledge of the concepts by successfully taking the AP test.</p>

<p>If you feel that most math/science stuff comes naturally to you, then I'd say go for it. Just make sure you have good work habits because you don't want be screwed when you realize there is only a month left to cover half of Physics C electromagnetism stuff :)</p>

<p>Anyways, I self studied Calc BC (took AB at school) and concurrently self-studied Physics C as my first physics course, and it only took me four months to learn everything. Of course the work load was pretty tough toward May.</p>

<p>I have talked with my math teacher and she said yes she would let me self-study study Calc BC next year and skip AB. She said that all the stuff covered in BC is what's covered in AB, except it's more in depth. I've had all A's in math throughout highschool except last semester I got a B+ in precalc because I didn't do my homework (dumb homework quizzes) but this semester I'm actually doing my homework and I'm aceing everything (100% in the class, whoo!)</p>

<p>I've also talked to my physics teacher and he said yes I could self-study physics C because he wants to teach the B course and that's it. He gave me the C book and I've been working in that to get a head start.</p>

<p>Doesn't it suck when you take way harder classes than everyone, but your class rank doesn't reflect it, it's very frustrating, oh well.</p>

<p>if you've got the motivation then go for it</p>

<p>Swokowski covers up to Calc II, so get another book or know where to stop</p>

<p>take either Physics B or C, but not both</p>