Should I drop AP Econ?

Pre-College Issues High School Life
1

<p>So I wasn't really sure where to post this. At my school, AP Econ is only allowed to seniors. </p>

<p>Anyways.</p>

<p>I'm currently in second semester senior year. I just finished with AP Econ Micro with a B+, missing the A- mark by two points on a 100 point final. Today was my first day back. We all got the warning that AP Macroeconomics is MUCH harder than Micro. </p>

<p>Here are my concerns:
1) It's second semester senior year. Even if I don't think I'll be slacking off right now, it definitely might happen in the future. </p>

<p>2) While my grade won't matter as much, it still will matter. If I ended up with a B+ in AP Microeconomics, then I should expect a C+ in AP Macroeconomics. But that can just as easily be a D or F. Any of these are quite bad. I really do not want to get rescinded. </p>

<p>3) I feel incredibly uncomfortable in my class. Even after a semester, there's nobody I can turn to for help within my class. I've tried initiating receiving help, but to no avail. </p>

<p>4) The grade is based on 50% final, 25% midterm, 25% project. Last semester, for Micro, there were 4 unit tests and a final, so if I screwed up on one I was still okay. </p>

<p>5) If I drop it, it will be incredibly hard to fill that space with something else. (My options are a class at community college or an online course). </p>

<p>6) Also, colleges might think I'm slacking off if I do. (I have 5 classes right now, including AP Econ.) </p>

<p>7) I'm not super worried about the project. My only worry about it is that a lot of people are working with a partner, and it's a lot of work. Also, because it's a presentation. I fail to sound interesting during a presentation, and this is 25% of my grade. </p>

<p>8) I only needed a semester of Econ, and I have fulfilled it. So technically I do not need to take the class. </p>

<p>I'm really mixed about this. I've discussed this with a few people at school, but I want to ask more people/I'm still confused. </p>

<p>What do you all think? Should I stick with AP Macroeconomics? If you've taken AP Macro, is it really super difficult after taking Micro? Why?</p>

2

<p>I really enjoyed taking both Micro and Macro, though I was lucky to have a fun class to help with it. I especially liked Macro because it was something I could actually apply to current events/real life situations.</p>

<p>I can’t help with making your decision for you, just because I don’t know how rough your classmates are. However, Macro (and Micro) is one of those subjects where you can find a LOT of secondary material online. If you don’t understand something in class, and your teacher isn’t any help, then a Khan Academy or ACDC Leadership video may be a good option. Other CCers might be helpful also! (I’ve got my handwritten notes & typed unit guides, in case you need anything.)</p>

<p>That being said, I absolutely having a study hall during my senior year. Though I have “7” (gym included) other classes.</p>

<p>As for the project, I’m sure someone will need a partner, or if you have an odd number in your class, see if you can make a group of three. If you’re working alone, throw in some puns and you’ll be golden.</p>

3

<p>Yeah, I think part of what almost saved me in AP Microeconomics was the online resources… Although I can’t focus on videos for some reason. I learn mostly by reading. </p>

<p>I would probably have felt more comfortable dropping the class if I had more than 5 classes, but really 3 free periods would be overmuch. </p>

<p>I think I don’t really mind working on my own that much. If it comes to that, then that’s okay. It’s just a bit awkward. Also, if I try to make a joke, it falls flat. Really flat. Case in point: In one of my classes last year, I had to give a speech, and I made some puns and people were stone-faced. Not even polite laughter. </p>

<p>This is just such a difficult decision to make. I won’t have frequent tests, so I won’t be able to tell early on whether I’ll be okay or not. </p>

<p>I found out that the community college course works in my schedule (and it’s mostly free, I found the textbook on Amazon for $5), but if I want that option I have to decide this week. :/</p>

4

<p>Well if the CC course is available, then I think the question becomes one of which material you’re going to enjoy more. If economics isn’t for you, then it isn’t for you. Might as well enjoy the last couple of months.</p>

5

<p>Although it’s up to you, in my honest opinion, you should keep it and tough it out. I’m wrapping up AP Macro in two weeks (final exam) and starting Micro after that, and it hasn’t been all that bad. I get completely lost in class, but I watch those KhanAcademy videos on the topic the morning before a test (yes, the morning before; I wake up at 3:45 AM to watch 2 hours of content for a 7:17 test) and get one of the highest grades in the class. If you get a review book/watch lectures online, I think you’ll do fine even if econ’s not your forte :)</p>

6

<p>I think Econ is interesting, but it’s not something where I could have the whole “I’ll do my best and die trying” attitude. I have my “Okay, I guess I’ll do what I can do” attitude for Econ. </p>

<p>And also, for AP Micro I literally started studying the day of. Sometimes I got lost (and for the first unit, I really screwed up so I was still lost). </p>

<p>Did you have a significantly easier/harder time in Macro than in Micro, or were they about equal for you? (I’ve tried asking some of my older friends, but then I realized a little over half of them are now Econ majors, and the others didn’t take AP Econ.) </p>

<p>Oh, and I guess to put it into more perspective, what subjects do you think are hard?</p>

7

<p>I haven’t taken Micro yet, (my school’s weird–we do Macro then Micro), but I know what you mean about Econ. It’s pretty much the same way I feel about AP Stat. </p>

<p>In Macro, we’re starting currency exchange right now and that’s an absolute pain, but what I thought was hard was Aggregate Supply and Aggregate Demand. If you mean general subjects, I didn’t do so hot on the AP Calc AB exam (my only 3), but otherwise I’m alright with pretty much everything except science AP’s. I chickened out of AP Bio August of this year and replaced it with APES.</p>

8

<p>In my opinion, Macro is usually easier than Micro. My S just finished Macro and did well in it. I also have an MBA with an Economics concentration and I found Macro easier. However, the structure you describe for the class grades might make it tough to know if you are doing poorly. What class are you thinking of taking at the CC? You might be better off if it will transfer.</p>

9

<p>@Vctory: No, I think a lot of schools do Macro, then Micro. Even at the neighboring school, they do it that way. </p>

<p>I was asking general subjects, but challenging subjects in Macro also helps! Personally, I did poorly in my AP Calc AB class, but not on the AP test, which shocked my teacher. Science APs I did kind of badly on. But I stayed with those. </p>

<p>@JCCsMom: I’m thinking of another math class (i.e. Discrete Math), a statistics course, or intro psych class, all of which are still only half full. They will all transfer. </p>

<p>Also, they will probably be of use in my future. I want to major in something like applied math with neuroscience or biology applications and looking at descriptions, I’ll have to take any of those three.</p>

10

<p>I think I’ll try to talk with my GC tomorrow (she wasn’t here today). Maybe I can change class sections. Right now, I feel like the other stuff would be all right as long as there was somebody that would actually be willing to talk to me.</p>