<p>I just started school and the class I'm having the most trouble with is AP US History. I'm at my desk from when I get home until midnight doing my history homework then moving onto my others. I've already lost sleep and I'm starting to have suicidal thoughts (not anything I would act upon but I have depression and when I'm stressed beyond belief, I start to fantasize about blowing my brains out). I'm already past the deadline for course dropping so the question is, should I get a note from my therapist to drop the class or try to stick it out and risk major sleep loss and overall horrible mood and social life for the rest of the year? Also, will this be counted against me in college admissions? I just want to go to Michigan State. I feel like it wouldn't matter a ton but maybe.</p>
<p>Why the heck are you spending that much time on homework? Are other kids in your class having the same problem you are? Is you teacher giving you a ton or do you just not understand the content well? </p>
<p>Obviously suicidal thoughts are a problem. It’s just a class, no reason to kill yourself over it.</p>
<p>Like I said, I have no intention to act on those thoughts. And I’m not exactly certain why I am spending this much time on HW but he basically gives us a week to memorize a bunch of facts and read and then there’s a test every monday or tuesday. I’m not exactly thrilled with the idea. Do you think it would affect my chances of getting into Michigan State to drop the class?</p>
<p>I’m in the same boat as you taking APUSH</p>
<p>My history teacher said it was EXPECTED for students to do badly on the first test</p>
<p>How did yours go? </p>
<p>I’m taking 3 other AP’s and yes it is very hectic but I’m sure we can both get through this!</p>
<p>That’d depend on your other classes/stats. </p>
<p>If I were you, I’d first talk to your teacher to communicate the fact that you’re spending way too long on homework and ask for his help. APUSH is tough, but you don’t need to be spending 5+ hours on homework. It typically takes me 1-1/2 hours per night for homework depending on how slow I am/what I need to get done (read: how much I’ve procrastinated).</p>
<p>My first test is Monday. The day I’m also seeing my therapist. I’m planning on getting at least a C or B- but I really don’t know. And I really don’t feel like talking to him about it because I’m not sure he would understand nor would he probably care. I don’t think he knows what he’s talking about. He usually just tells us exactly what we’ve been reading about in the book and expects us to be ready for the test. And I have a 3.76 cumulative unweighted as of now. I’m taking both AP Econ and AP English Language as well as APUSH. Would it be bad with my stats to drop this class?</p>
<p>Yes I think it would look bad to drop the class</p>
<p>At my school once you sign up for an AP you cannot drop the class even if you’re failing</p>
<p>I think sticking through it shows commitment</p>
<p>Is English your first language? It is for me so I usually take longer on the readings but what assignments is he giving you for you to take so long on homework? Do you think studying with a friend can motivate you and make it more “fun” to learn history?</p>
<p>I’m not asking if it would look bad to drop the class. I’m asking if it would be the difference between being accepted and being rejected. I’ve already dropped a course for the same reason I want to drop this one. Of course sticking through shows commitment, but my emotional stability will be highly compromised. After just 3 days of this, my thoughts of suicide are beginning to sound rational. I’m beginning to subconsciously think that it’s a rational alternative to taking this class. Of course it’s not, but my subconscious thinks it is. This isn’t a question of commitment. This is a question of if it’s worth it to take this course and, as a result, have to most likely have more therapy as well as cry for at least 30 minutes per day.</p>
<p>Damn, so APUSH is that hard? I guess the rumors are true.</p>
<p>Okay, for one, I think that suicidal thoughts and depression are legitimate reasons for dropping a class, so if you want to drop it, drop it.</p>
<p>Secondly, you need to talk to your teacher. Nothing will get better unless you explain you’re having issues. You need to explain you’re depressed, that you’re spending a ton of time on homework, and ask why you’re spending so much time on homework. Seriously, you need to talk to him. He’s your teacher, so he can help, even if you don’t think he can. There’s no good reason a class should make you depressed and suicidal, so yeah. Talk to your teacher. Really.</p>
<p>@Yakisoba: Uh, no, it’s not supposed to be that much homework. It’s tough but not impossible (at most schools at least).</p>
<p>Explain your homework and study habits to us for the class. Since you haven’t taken the first test/quiz yet and you don’t know how they are, I think you are doing way more than the teacher expects.</p>
<p>APUSH is one of the easiest AP’s at my school…I don’t understand. Why don’t you try getting ahead on the reading on the weekend? I think you’re studying too much. Also, I really hope you’re exaggerating about the suicidal thoughts.</p>