Hi there. I am a current high school sophomore. This year, my courseload includes three AP classes (Euro, Physics 1, and Comp Sci) and four honors classes. Last year, I took all honors and one AP (World History). I got a 5 on that exam. Despite being in all honors/AP, I really don’t do any work outside of class. I spend a few hours each night gaming and watching TV, and spend a half hour tops on homework.
My question is about next year. I am planning on taking 6 AP classes (APUSH, BC Calc, Physics C, Chem, Human Geo, and Lit). Will this kill me? Everybody has told me that it will. The workload will overwhelm you, you won’t have time for it all, blah, blah, blah. But I have yet to be actually challenged in school. So I personally feel like this course schedule won’t actually be that bad. I’d really appreciate anyone’s thoughts!
Six AP’s seems overkill. At my son’s school, APUSH is a lot of work, but manageable. Physics and BC Calc are hard, but if a science person it is doable. Taking 2 sciences is not advisable at his school. The questions I would ask is are you willing and able to spend the time needed on that many AP’s? Do you have EC’s and other interests to round out a college application and complete a strong essay? Colleges want to see more than AP classes. They want someone strong academically but also interested in a few focused EC’s/volunteering/etc. Good luck with your decision!
Taking Physics and Chem at the same time might be the reason for the “overwhelming workload.” Since you’re already taking AP physics B you probably can gauge how much work AP physics C will be. Then just times two that since you got two science classes =P Lit requires a lot more outside required reading (since it is a literature class after all.) The other classes don’t seem that bad.
Six AP’s seem like a lot. Taking Physics and Chem might be a little much. Good Luck Thought!!!
I am taking 6 AP classes this year as a senior, including Physics C, lit, and Calc BC. Physics shouldn’t be too bad, considering you’ve been exposed to some of the concepts in Physics 1. However, rigor and courseload are always dependent upon the school attended. Chem and physics at the same time would be a lot of work, as Chem usually requires a lot of outside studying. It is certainly manageable if you’re willing to put in the work.
I’'m also taking 6 AP’s right now as a senior and it feels no different from when I took 4 last year.
I’m taking BC Calc, Biology, Spanish, Lit, World, and Human Geo.
BC Calc and Biology are the killers which require the most work and effort (and I’m not that much of a STEM-oriented student so it kinda sucks, but if you prefer it should be fine).
Lit at my school is a complete joke, with barely any assignments. We haven’t even started analyzing poetry and the AP exam is in 2 months… Most schools I think Lit is more intense though.
Human Geo is super interesting and easy, and takes a lot of concepts from history class and I love it.
As for APUSH, that was killer work last year, so good luck. However, if you’re a history lover like me, then the textbook readings will be worthwhile and interesting.
Regardless, if you want to put in the effort, go for it. I got straight A’s first semester. But as a senior who is now accepted into college, I regret my ambition for signing up for so many AP’s… But since you will be a junior hopefully you’ll be much more motivated 2nd semester.
Yeah, I agree that taking Chemistry with Physics is definitely not the best idea considering how hard each of those individual subjects are. You want to challenge yourself just right but not too much beucase if you do extracurriculars than it will be even worse (stress factor).
Have fun…
Don’t take physics C And AP chemistry together. You’ll hate yourself for it. Those are hard AND time intensive (lab commitment in particular.) Taking 5 AP’s (4 hard, one easy) will be much more challenging 3 AP 's (1 medium, 1easy, 1 hard.)