I am currently an 8th grader and we are now signing up for high school classes. My school offers AP world history as one of the courses for freshman. I had decided to take this because I am more interested in liberal arts rather than math/science but a lot of people gave me doubts about the difficulty of AP world. The schedule that I have currently signed up for is:
AP World History
Honors Language Arts
Honors Biology
Algebra 2
French 2
Theater
Creative Writing
Visual Journalism
After hearing a lot of people talk about AP world history, I am not really sure what I am in for. I don’t want to have 8 hours of homework a night, but I do want to challenge myself. I am a motivated student and I am currently in 2 honors classes in middle school. I am thinking of dropping Honors Biology, but I am not sure if I should do that. I want to keep my schedule as it is now, but I don’t want to push myself to a breaking point.
Do you think I should change my schedule or leave it the way it is? And also, what is AP world history like and what are some tips to pass it? And should I drop honors bio and just take AP world history and honors english? I would really appreciate it if you can help me because I am not sure what to do right now. Thanks
Yes! I’ve found another 8th grader! :bz
I would recommend that you take AP World History, Honors Language Arts, Honors Biology as well as Honors Algebra 2, and Honors French 2 (if available) so that if you feel that the workload is too much, you can drop down. Oftentimes it is easier to drop down then it is to move up. Make sure to check in with your guidance counselor and ask about school policy on dropping classes.
It might be up to the teacher but APWH generally doesn’t translate to 8 hours of homework a night. You’ll benefit a lot from taking it freshman year, if you ask me.
If you’re super super concerned about failing the class or not getting the grade you want, and you only care about the credit from the exam, you could try self-studying it. But this is your chance to have a taste of the #APLife without jumping into four APs at once like I did (I turned out just fine mind you!).
How are your study habits? Are you the “naturally smart” achieving student or the “hardworking” achieving student?
Whatever the answer to that is, check with similar people who have already taken the class and see if it’s really too brutal for you.
Are you able to take Honors Algebra 2? I really enjoy Algebra this year, I’m not a shape person at all. Either way, HA2 has been the first year I want to go to math and be there, partly due to the teacher, but I enjoy the content! I would go for that too! Just be careful with AP WH and that. For me, it took a few weeks before I adjusted to high school. I had HS soccer going on, so it was stressful but ya… Don’t be surprised if the first unit/week is a big load. Others have told me (and I experienced it a bit) teachers will start off tough to weed out the passionate learners from those just in the class (bad wording, but you get my point). You’ll see at least 3 people drop, trust me haha
Algebra2 non honors for a freshman is perfectly fine.
However, if French 2 Honors is offered, try to take it.
As for AP WH, find some 9th and 10th graders: how much work was it?
The fact it’s offered to freshmen probably means it’s seen as a sort of “honors” version of “freshman world history” and shouldn’t be taught the way AP WH is taught when it’s a senior class. However, do check.
Also, ask the high school’s counselor how easy it is to “drop down”: if you take AP WH, can you “drop down” to another class?
I would sign up for AP World History. Throughout High School, you’re always going to have that one challenging class. It’s not like you’re taking five APs. But definitely ask your guidance counselor or some high-schoolers so you have an idea of what you’re in for.
You said that you’re more interested in liberal arts than Math and Science; I’m the same way. In this case, you should consider taking a regular Biology course to guarantee good grades.
Hope this helped!
I am a freshman in Honors Biology, and it is very difficult! I am like you - a motivated student but more interested in English/History than science. The fact that I do not enjoy science as much as english has not motivated me to do better in the course. Regular bio may be the way to go! I kind of wish I took regular
Taking AP World doesn’t mean having 8 hours of homework every night, but I’d caution you against taking on more than you can handle; it’s not an easy class, and usually sophomores take it. College Board has even said that sophomores have trouble with it and it should really be a senior class. So taking it as a freshman might be a bit much. I took it as a sophomore and did well, but it definitely wasn’t an easy class and I do think I would’ve done better if I had taken it as a junior or senior.
Your schedule looks a lot like mine this year, except I’m taking AP Euro instead of AP World, honors physics instead of Bio, pre-calc instead of algebra 2, and different electives… so I guess only the structure is similar lol. AP historys do have a lot of reading and notes and projects and stiff, but 8 hours a night is a huge exaggeration. I’d say we have like an hour of homework a night, and that’s not all nights. Now, if you procrastinate, that’s a different story lol.
However, do check.