Hello guys, first of all, thank you for taking your time to read this and I apologize if I posted on the wrong forum. I am currently a senior at my high school and I just finished the first quarter with a C- in AP Physics 1. I was wondering if it would be a good idea to move down to an easier level because on the first test I got a 70, 2nd test I got a 67, and this recent test I received a 52. The reason I’m thinking about dropping this course is that I felt like I haven’t learned much this year. The only reason I managed a C- was because of my lab grades. On 3 of my lab, I got a 100 because of effort and I received a 45 on two labs that were graded on accuracy. I value learning experience over grades and I was wondering if it would be a good idea to move down to standard physics (my school doesn’t have honors) to learn more.
I’ve tried really hard these past 2 months but I just can’t seem to do well on anything. I would spend 3 hours on homework each night and I stay after school many days to get extra help from my teacher. This is the only class where I feel like I haven’t learned anything all year and I don’t enjoy attending it as much as my other classes. I finished the quarter with all A’s in my other APs but I’m stuck with a C in this class. Also, would colleges look at me as a quitter if I do decide to drop it? I also feel like my teacher has basically given up on me because she would spend much longer time with other students and would get frustrated easily while teaching me. She was absent all last week so this class only became even harder. I also have a job at my restaurant after school and I don’t get home till 9, and because of this class I’ve been up till 1 or 2 every night and I feel tired as hell every day. I’m not going into anything Physics related to college and my GPA and SAT are above Uconn Hartford Campus’s average and I’ve taken challenging classes since freshmen year. I also have a lot of extracurriculars and many things to talk about in my application. So what do you guys think? Would it be better for my health and learning experience if I move down a level? I’m not trying to go to an easier class to slack off as a senior, I actually have no idea what’s going on in physics and want to learn more. Sorry about the long paragraph, I’ve been having so much trouble making this decision because I’m afraid of what colleges might think and my classmates all told me I’m being too much of a bitch to think about quitting. Thank You
It sounds like it would be fine to move down. Do note that if you have already sent in your applications to college that you have to inform them of the change in level. If you haven’t sent in your applications then you can just put down the lower level in your list of classes.
It would probably be fine if you dropped, but I really enjoyed physics last year and I really think it helped my understanding of math and science. What will you major in? Why aren’t you understanding any of the Physics material? Is it a time or teacher problem? Is it purely the complexity of the concepts?
Thank you for the reply. I’m sending them my first quarter grades so they’ll see what I did while in AP and I’m changing current classes once I drop out.
I’ll probably major in computer science or teaching. I’m having trouble understanding the material because of mostly complexity.
Since you are a senior already, your grades don’t matter as much for college applications unless you are applying to schools that require a mid year report. However, most colleges really stress the rigor of your senior year class choices. If I was in your position, I would stay in the AP class. I’ve heard form numerous Admissions officers and teachers that they would rather see a lower grade in an AP class rather than a higher one in an easy one.
Computer science will require physics, and it will be even more challenging at a college/university. You still have time to draw on ALL of your resources (online tutorials, your textbook, tutoring, AP prep books) and lay that foundation for your future classes.
Thanks for the reply. I’m predicting I might earn a C or D for the semester which was why I was worried.
Thank you for the advice. Do you have any recommendations for AP prep books?
Computer science will definitely require physics so if you want to go into that, I would recommend staying in the class, as stated earlier. However, I don’t think colleges would rather see you getting a D in an AP class than an A in a nonAP. If the class is bringing down your grade significantly than I’d consider dropping it. But then again, as mentioned, you’re a senior so grades don’t matter as much. In my school, if you drop out of a class halfway through the first quarer, it doesn’t show up on your transcript so I would ask about that. If you are definitely set on compsci, I’d definitely try to stick it out, since it will only get harder in college.
I’d suggest Barron’s as prep. It explains concepts really well and also has challenging questions to prepare you.
Thank you very much for the rec. I definitely want to look into online tutorials and textbooks more because all my classmates have agreed my teacher doesn’t teach.
I don’t think all computer science majors requires physics. Even if they do, it’s not a prerequisite to the major, u can take it college.
I think you should drop. A C or Do is bad, and your health is more important. It will get harder next semester… You may fail.
What schools did you apply to? What’s does your GC say?
Can you also cut back on your work hours?
Thanks for the suggestion. I applied to Uconn Hartford Campus, UHart, and schools in Connecticut. What does GC stand for? I can’t really cut back on work hours because it’s a family business and gets fairly busy every day.
GC = Guidance Counselor. And I agree to see what he/she thinks about this, they’ve seen it all.