<p>Thanks for your replies. Fizix2, what textbook did you rely on the most for AP Chem? I think our class is going to use Zumdahls 7th ed next year but I don't know if it is good or not. Also, did you use any prep books? Which one would you reccomend out of those? I have PR 06-07 but I can hardly understand what they are saying in the beginning (Spins/Orbitals). Thanks.</p>
<p>I'd take it.</p>
<p>Would you be taking the class because you like Chem or for the GPA? If you like Chem, it's entirely plausible to take it, even if you self study everything, so you get the credit for it. If you don't like Chem and just want the GPA boost, you're being an application whore.</p>
<p>Imagine you get rejected from college. Would you be happier knowing you took or didn't take the class?</p>
<p>Definitely already have. More than once.</p>
<p>Well, I liked Physics, so I think I would like Chemistry too. It's just that there really isn't a way of determining whether I "like" Chemistry or not right now simply because I haven't taken the course yet. I've already gotten a head start and it doesn't seem too complicated although there are parts where it is fairly hard to understand. </p>
<p>I guess Chemistry has some aspects of Physics in there so I probably won't dislike it. What do you guys think?</p>
<p>I used Zumdahl. It's pretty complete (covers enough for first-round USChO), and explains things very well.</p>
<p>My (sucky) chemistry teacher encouraged us to use Peterson's prep guide as a textbook, so I guess that means it's pretty good as prep books go. (I didn't actually read through it.) But if you learn from Zumdahl, you should be able to use a shorter prep book (like Princeton Review's) and still do well.</p>
<p>It's probably good to have chemistry for college. My biology teacher was the same way. He would ramble about absolutely nothing and say the most illogical things, and then he would give tests that asked about the most minute things. If you think you can understand the material by reading out of a textbook, go for it. I was fine just reading the textbook (and listening to him talk was really amusing for a while).</p>
<p>I can understand my textbook for about 60-70% of the information. Other than that questions and ambiguities block me from comprehending any information further. Any more opinions/thoughts about this situation? Actually, our school has a "drop" policy and I can try out the class for about a month and then drop it if I don't like it (without penalty). How should I make use of this opportunity to experience the class? Please give me some suggestions. Thanks!</p>
<p>take chem wheather u like it or not. take weather teacher is good or not. Plus in my opinion the textbook is the teacher, while the teacher is just a supplement to what you learn by yourself (not in all cases). While having an incomptenet teacher makes it much harder, i am guessing honors chem in your school is not as hard as ap chem, so you should definetly survive. Honors chem in my school was so easy, i did the all the work in a free period right before the class and still got the best grade in my class by a large margin.</p>
<p>Well you are a different person lol... What if you took Chemistry in your Senior year though? What if you're schedule is packed for Junior year (5 other AP classes) because you like those classes better? Taking it senior year (they still see 1st semester grades right?) won't hurt as much as not taking it at all right?</p>
<p>oh u can take it senior year? Then take it so u can screw around the 2nd semester (the semster which is actually hard). if u really suck at chem, sure take it senior year.</p>
<p>GPA...who cares about the teacher...u can learn the material on ur own</p>
<p>Does anyone else think that taking Chem senior year would be better?</p>
<p>No. If the teacher's incompetent, you're just wasting your time. I wouldn't waste my time just to "boost" my GPA. But, I guess I can see where you're coming from.</p>
<p>Yes. Depends, though. I've had excellent teachers that couldn't make me interested if they hit my head with a saucepan. For something science-related, definitely. I couldn't care less about Chemistry.</p>
<p>However, if the class is an "extra", something that actually really seizes my intellectual interests, then no. I recently signed up for a public speaking class, and the teacher turned out to be a bit of a joke. I was so infuriated, beacuse I thought it would sort of be like debate club, which I adore, so after our second class I literally ran to drop the class.</p>