what should my game plan for Junior year be?

Pre-College Issues Home Schooling and College
1

<p>This semester of sophomore year has been really good gradewise. My freshman year was not. Now, I have a 3.7 GPA and want that to go UP not down. However, we have already been through registration in November (though I can change it). And, this semester my family and I are actually going to india so my homeschooled grades will not go onto my GPA. I'm not sure whether I should aim for a very rigorous course schedule or try to find a balance. I'm not aiming for an Ivy by any means... but it would be nice to know whether I should go for the gold and take as much as 4 AP classes (english AP, APUSH, AP chem, and AP Spanish IV as well as PreAP Precal). This year, I went easy on myself and took Honors English, Honors Geo, PreAP chem, PreAP Spanish, regular Algebra, Debate II Honors, and Art 1. </p>

<p>Is this courseload to difficult? I think it is. I don't want to be set up for failure. So the main question is, what should I do? Should I aim to raise my GPA further by taking honors classes again, or should I take all of these AP classes? Or, should I find a balance and take 2 or 3 APs. I understand that by advancing to PreAP math from regulars, I am already taking a big step up and will need time to devote to it, leaving me with less room for other AP classes. During junior year, I also plan to excel in Debate which means I will need time for writing speeches, giving speeches, etc. So, what should I settle for?</p>

2

<p>Find a balance. Just do one or two AP classes–the ones that you think you can get the best grades on/the ones you like the most. If you want your GPA to go up, straining yourself with classes you can’t manage will not help you. I think you will be far happier and will appear as a more impressive student if you do well with what you can handle instead of trying too hard and not getting the best grades.</p>

3

<p>I would recommend doing two AP classes in whatever subjects you are interested in. If that’s humanities, then maybe just APUSH and AP Lang. Maybe a third if you want to devote the time. I don’t think more than 3 would be good though. Another option to consider is adding a “soft” AP. Maybe do APES as a third AP instead of AP Chem, it’s a really interesting class and isn’t as rigorous. Or if you’re really into the social sciences add AP Psychology, also less rigorous but very interesting.</p>