Should I take AP Chemistry my Senior Year?

Pre-College Issues High School Life
1

I’m going to start of by saying that I have not been a great AP student this past three years. In my freshman year, I took AP Human Geography (I have no clue to why my middle school teacher placed me in that class when I didn’t even excel in social studies back then) and ended with a C in the class and got a 1 on the AP Exam. Convincing myself that it would be easier, I took AP Government my sophomore year, but I ended with a D for the class on got a 1 on the exam as well.This year (junior year) I took AP Language and Composition and AP Physics. To be honest, AP Physics was a terrible experience for me- my first class to have an F. I gladly dropped to standard Physics for second semester (and I’ve been doing a bit better in physics). AP Lang isn’t that bad honestly, but because of my past experiences with AP exams, I’m not so sure I will be doing so great this year either. This brings me to my problem: should I take AP Chem next year?

The reason why I’m having issues is because when I took standard Chemistry sophomore year I actually enjoyed the class. Not only was I fascinated by the labs that we did, but I understood the material well and felt semi-confident. I nearly ended the year with an A, but because I sort of slacked off with homework, I ended with a 89% which isn’t so bad (in my book at least). But I’m terrified about going into AP because I’m scared that I’ll fail the exam (along with my past exams) and everyone warns me that it’s an incredibly difficult class. And because I took standard chemistry a year ago, I don’t remember much of what I’d learned which puts me in a greater disadvantage.

In the other hand, I’m actually acquaintances with my old standard chemistry teacher. This year I signed up to be his student assistant and I believe that he can help me along the way. But every time I bring the subject up he says that the class is hard and that even his straight A students struggle with the class. But the things is, I want to major in chemistry when I go to college. Or even biochemistry. I want to study something that isn’t just art. I looked at the school’s AP Chem summer homework and I thought it wouldn’t be so bad if only I study and get help. The thing that keeps getting in the way is my huge fear of confrontation (something that I always had).

I’m a B student, I’m doing well in Algebra 2 and my teacher recommended me to Introduction to College Algebra.I’m also taking Concurrent Enrollment US History which is a billion times better than APUSH. I signed up for AP Psychology for next year (and for some reason I’m not worrying about the class) and I’ll also be going into IB Business SL.

Thoughts or suggestions? Thank you!~

2

If you are planning on majoring in chemistry, absolutely try it!

3

I don’t know… I hate to discourage you from trying it, but your old chemistry teacher, who knows more about your capabilities than I do, appears reluctant to encourage you, and your AP record isn’t all that great. If you take AP Chem, I’d make it the only AP, IB or honors class that you take that year. It is one of the most difficult - if not THE most difficult in some high schools - of all the AP classes.

4

If you want to major in Chemistry, thenI would say to take it.
If you do well, then you will know chemistry is a feasible option.
If you don’t, then, well, it isn’t.

Read this and follow the advice to do well:
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/high-school-life/2026961-what-to-do-when-you-arent-doing-well-in-a-hs-class-p1.html

5

AP Chemistry is one of the hardest AP classes that exist.
With an 89% in a class you barely remember, it’s going to be an uphill battle and you risk failing. And an F = being rescinded from colleges that admitted you.
So, ask your GC whether, if you take AP Chem in the Fall and find it too hard, you can switch to APES within the first (10 days?) of class. APES includes some chemistry and biology all applied to the environment.

6

^ @thisiscarcar The suggestion above to have a fall-back plan is excellent IMO. What you have to ask yourself is this - are you willing to spend 4-5 hours per week over the summer in Chemistry self-study to prepare yourself for the rigors of AP Chem? If so, then Khan Academy awaits: https://www.khanacademy.org/science/ap-chemistry If this doesn’t sound like your idea of a fun summer, then this plan is probably not wise.

7

Of course I’m willing to study over the summer and regain lost memory. Thank you so much for the link, I’ll try my best. And I’ve decided to take the class- and if it turns out to be something I can’t handle, then it probably means God has a different plan set out for me.

8

Great! Be sure to come back and let us parents know how it goes! @momofsenior1 @bopper @Groundwork2022 @MYOS1634

9

As mentioned previously, Environmental Science uses chemistry, so that if AP chem turns out too hard and you can’t see yourself majoring in chemistry anymore, you could switch to Environmental Science and still do some chemistry.