I am considering doing AP Gov. next semester. The only problem is that it is a semester course and will end up being condensed into a little over 3 months.I have never taken an AP class before and I feel like I will be so overwhelmed because I’m not that great at reading and understand long texts.I feel like I need to take an AP class as a junior or else I won’t get into college.My dad is a doctor and thinks I’m lazy for not taking any AP classes but I don’t think I can handle it.Even though I am not doing any AP classes my classes are still pretty difficult but manageable.I feel like if I don’t take AP Gov I will regret it but if I do take it I feel like I will drown.What should I do and is not doing AP classes not as huge as a deal as I am making it to be?I do want to go to a good college but not at the expense of my mental wellbeing.I don’t know what I would do if I was forced to go to the University of RI.
You don’t want your GPA suffering because you bit off more than you can chew. Is it possible for you to take an AP class as a senior? What subjects are your favorites? Is it possible that next year, as a senior, you could take an AP class that relates to a topic you enjoy learning about? In my opinion, it isn’t worth taking an AP class if you don’t feel like you’ll do well in it. Colleges wouldn’t want to see a low grade in an AP class just so you could have an AP class on your transcript. Not taking AP classes is completely fine. Are you taking any honors or other accelerated classes? If you’re doing that, then that’s great. The goal is to challenge yourself in the courses that you take, but don’t go overboard. You don’t want to be miserable in AP Gov if you don’t think you can handle it… it will only make you stressed. I wouldn’t risk your GPA just to take an AP class.
I think it’s pretty clear from your post that you should not take the AP class. But I do believe that AP government is only a semester long class. My son took it and it was also just a semester.
I don’t recommend anyone to take an AP class if it will cause so much stress. Your mental well being should come first. There are many good colleges who will admit you without any AP classes and the ones that won’t you probably want to stay away from anyway as they are highly competitive and there is often much stress and a huge course load.
Go where you can succeed and take care of your mental health.
High schools can set up their AP classes however they see fit as long as they follow the curriculum. Some offer this class as a year-long course, others as a semester long course. Having said that, AP Gov is one of the easier AP’s and college classes will cover this material in one semester. If nothing else, this will give you a feel for what college classes will be like.
I think it’s a very good class to take and obviously taking AP classes while in high school looks good on the application. It lets colleges know you can handle the stress of a college load. But if you get stressed by a heavy course load, I suggest you wait until college to take a college level class. AP classes are not for everyone.
Not quite true, but if your school offers AP courses and you’re planning on attending college, try your best to take some of them. Do you have any other alternatives to AP Gov?
I’m currently taking AP Gov (well, AP Comparative Gov, I don’t know if you mean that or AP US Gov) as a semester course. It’s hard getting in all the material, and we move really fast, but it’s a topic I’m super interested in so I’m doing pretty well.
That being said, I’m a senior right now, and I’ve been taking APs since sophomore year, so I’m used to the high workload. Basically, AP Gov in a single semester is going to be fairly fast-paced, and could be stressful. If it’s something that really interests you and you think you could handle, take it. If it isn’t and you think it might hurt your GPA, I wouldn’t.
edited to also add that your mental health is more important than filling your schedule with tough classes. Take care of yourself first. Regardless of what it might do to your GPA, if it causes you unbearable stress then it’s not worth it.
I haven’t read any previous replies because I’m lazy but: Taking AP classes should be on your decision, period. Do not be pressured into taking any advanced classes by your peers or your dad. AP classes are definitely challenging and can give you a lot of work. Students are not to be rushed into AP classes, but should rather gradually prepare for them.
Basically if you think you will not be able to do well in AP Gov, don’t do it. It isn’t worth being stressed about on a single class that can force you to juggle other classes and pretty much lower your GPA as a whole.
Get prepared for AP Gov, by learning efficient study habits, learning to manage your time and schedule, and how about you actually are prepared in terms of history? Personally ask your teacher if he/she thinks you are physically/mentally able to take the class
Oh yeah, also there are many other alternatives to AP Gov, look through your electives and look from something that looks fun but challenging. I personally am taking AP Psychology and I am enjoying it way more than I was in US History.
Thats all 