At the conclusion of my junior year of high school I have narrowed the potential manner in which I may spend my summer to two options:
<li>Take two AP courses (Microeconomics and Macroeconomics) with Apex Learning and work three days per week (fast food)</li>
<li>Work five days per week (fast food) and take no AP courses</li>
Each has its respective pros and cons. The former costs $490 per class, and would force me to spend close to $1000 next year in order to replace those classes - which would be free if I took them during the regular school year - with a two-semester AP US History course courtesy of Apex Learning. Despite this, I suspect that taking two AP courses over the summer in addition to holding a three-day-a-week fast food job will appeal to colleges far more extensively than the latter option. Additionally, the two AP courses I take over the summer will be factored into my GPA by my guidance counselor, thereby bumping my class rank upon applying to college from third to second and allowing me to become valedictorian by the end of senior year. Furthermore, these additional AP courses may prove useful in helping me to place out of tedious introductory courses in college by allowing me to take more AP courses (specifically, US History) during my senior year. Lastly, I find AP courses far more satisfying and far less stressful than my hectic, merciless workplace.
The second option would allow me to save my money – I wouldn’t have to pay to take microeconomics and macroeconomics next year, as they are provided by some sort of state-sanctioned (alliteration ahoy) AP scholars program and thus free to students. My rank would still be third instead of second when I apply to college, though, and it would not budge from third by the time of my graduation; it is arguable that colleges find spending five days a week working fast food less impressive than the first option; and I could not place out of as many courses (again, US History) upon applying to college. Also, my job is morbidly depressing, endlessly tiring and so extensively stressful that during the summer of last year (yes, I’ve held this job for a year), I often found myself waking up in the wee hours of the morning following a nine- or ten-hour work shift to prepare and organize food for customers at the edge of my bed. (I once perceived my feet to be cartons of fries. I often wonder if my job is associated with PTSD. But of course, it is probable that such strenuousness can be attributed to the fact that - in addition to being a fast food establishment - we are nearly always grossly understaffed, occasionally to the point of being forced to close early. Whoops, I’m rambling again. Sorry, I worked earlier today.)
…I’d imagine that at this point it seems rather obvious that I favor the first option. But can you really blame me? My job frequently appears a serious detriment to my mental health and stability, and I am so thoroughly enticed and enamored by all of the listed pros of the first option that I am all but convinced of its worthwhileness (I hope I didn’t make that word up). I guess I just feel bad about having to spend so much money - my parents have suggested that they will contribute to the costs of the first two classes, but it seems apparent to me that I will nevertheless spend a greater portion of my net worth in completing these courses. I feel guilty for arguably “wasting” both my own money and my parents’ money.
Heck, perhaps I just need a new job. Or the AP courses <i>and</i> a new job. I’m not a religious man; nevertheless, God help me.