By: Jazmine Basa
Students, what are you going to do after high school ends? The chances of being accepted to college are slowly diminishing for a variety of reasons, causing great concern for high school students. As a result, students are debating the following: are AP classes worth the risk?
According to Lynn O'shaughnessy from CBS News, “...colleges and universities were accepting slightly fewer applicants [according to a study from 2011]. The typical school accepted 65.5% of its applicants. Back in 2001, the average acceptance rate was 71%.”
Due to an overwhelming amount of competition in the United States, students struggle to stand out of a flood of billions of other college applicants.
Thus, the chances of getting into college are becoming smaller by the second. As a result, students are looking for new ways to stand out in their student resumes. While some are resorting to sports and clubs others are considering something more challenging—AP courses.
AP stands for Advanced Placement classes. They are much more fast-paced and difficult compared to a normal class. Said AP classes should not be taken lightly.
Joey Garcia, a Yerba Buena junior with two AP classes, is one to confirm the difficulty of AP classes. Garcia warns, “Don’t go in it [AP classes] thinking it’s easy even if you’re pretty smart. The people and the work are far more serious.”
AP classes are known for being stressful since they are much harder than normal classes. There’s more work, but there’s less time to finish.
Yet, it is difficult for a good cause. This cause is to prepare AP Tests at the end of the year and help students take a glimpse of the college life. Furthermore, with the stress AP classes comes benefits to college.
According to The College Board, “The purpose of these classes and tests is for students to earn college credit while in high school.”
Some high school students acknowledge this, and take the classes to ease their college life.
Hailey Tran, a Yerba Buena junior with three AP classes explains on behalf of picking these advanced placement classes. “I want to finish the most calculus classes as I can in high school, so I don't have to pay for the classes in college,” Tran states. She continues on by stating the other two—APLANG (AP English Language) and APES (AP Environmental Science)—to improve academically.
Despite taking the classes for its benefits, Tran admits to AP classes being rather time consuming.
Tran states, “AP work consumes most of my free time at home. I cope by taking a nap after school when I get home, and I usually do homework throughout the day with some breaks in between until I go to sleep.”
Another important factor of AP classes is how time consuming the classes could be. The issue doesn’t only apply to Yerba Buena. Darren Duong, a junior at Silver Creek high school, realizes a similar issue. “AP Classes impact the way I treat others in very minor ways. The main way it does impact me is in my lack of social outreach, in saying that I don't go outside much,” Duong states.
Since AP classes require students to do more work, it is necessary for students to rearrange their schedules. In other words, before taking an AP class, students must be flexible. This can lead to changes in a student’s daily life.
Ken Banh, a 16-year-old AP student at Yerba Buena high school, states, “I only feel a slight bit of regret for taking AP classes because I’m lazy and I procrastinate to the point where I don’t finish things on time. My advice is to not procrastinate too much as you’ll regret it if you’re not fast enough.”
It is no mystery—AP classes can be stressful and take time to adjusting to. This often affects the health of many high school students. It it best to remain on schedule in order to maintain a decent grade in an AP class. When a student picks a class, he or she should recognize that a constant state of stress can be dangerous to one’s health.
According to mayoclinic.org, stress can have physical, mental, and behavioral effects. Common effects include headaches, muscle tension or pain, fatigue, stomach and sleep problems. It can also risk the chances of anxiety and depression. Behavioral effect include bad eating habits (under eating or overeating), and angry outbursts.
Most AP students find the AP Test at the end of the year most stressful.
“The only thing that’s intimidating is the AP test, otherwise it’s just as I expected,” Garcia states.
Most students consider these tests to be hard because of the rigorous time limits and difficult questions. Yet, students need to recognize that whether one fails the test or not, there is still hope for college.
Ellen McCammon from blog.prepscholar.com clarifies, “While you don't typically need to send official AP score reports to colleges you're applying to, some schools will have space on their applications for you to self-report your AP scores. And if your scores are on your application, admissions committees will see them. Similarly, if you have any low AP scores you'd prefer admissions committees not see, you don't have to (and shouldn't) report them on your application.”
Students, what are you going to do after high school ends? The chances of being accepted to college are slowly diminishing for a variety of reasons, causing great concern for high school students. As a result, students are debating the following: are AP classes worth the risk?
According to Lynn O'shaughnessy from CBS News, “...colleges and universities were accepting slightly fewer applicants [according to a study from 2011]. The typical school accepted 65.5% of its applicants. Back in 2001, the average acceptance rate was 71%.”
Due to an overwhelming amount of competition in the United States, students struggle to stand out of a flood of billions of other college applicants.
Thus, the chances of getting into college are becoming smaller by the second. As a result, students are looking for new ways to stand out in their student resumes. While some are resorting to sports and clubs others are considering something more challenging—AP courses.
AP stands for Advanced Placement classes. They are much more fast-paced and difficult compared to a normal class. Said AP classes should not be taken lightly.
Joey Garcia, a Yerba Buena junior with two AP classes, is one to confirm the difficulty of AP classes. Garcia warns, “Don’t go in it [AP classes] thinking it’s easy even if you’re pretty smart. The people and the work are far more serious.”
AP classes are known for being stressful since they are much harder than normal classes. There’s more work, but there’s less time to finish.
Yet, it is difficult for a good cause. This cause is to prepare AP Tests at the end of the year and help students take a glimpse of the college life. Furthermore, with the stress AP classes comes benefits to college.
According to The College Board, “The purpose of these classes and tests is for students to earn college credit while in high school.”
Some high school students acknowledge this, and take the classes to ease their college life.
Hailey Tran, a Yerba Buena junior with three AP classes explains on behalf of picking these advanced placement classes. “I want to finish the most calculus classes as I can in high school, so I don't have to pay for the classes in college,” Tran states. She continues on by stating the other two—APLANG (AP English Language) and APES (AP Environmental Science)—to improve academically.
Despite taking the classes for its benefits, Tran admits to AP classes being rather time consuming.
Tran states, “AP work consumes most of my free time at home. I cope by taking a nap after school when I get home, and I usually do homework throughout the day with some breaks in between until I go to sleep.”
Another important factor of AP classes is how time consuming the classes could be. The issue doesn’t only apply to Yerba Buena. Darren Duong, a junior at Silver Creek high school, realizes a similar issue. “AP Classes impact the way I treat others in very minor ways. The main way it does impact me is in my lack of social outreach, in saying that I don't go outside much,” Duong states.
Since AP classes require students to do more work, it is necessary for students to rearrange their schedules. In other words, before taking an AP class, students must be flexible. This can lead to changes in a student’s daily life.
Ken Banh, a 16-year-old AP student at Yerba Buena high school, states, “I only feel a slight bit of regret for taking AP classes because I’m lazy and I procrastinate to the point where I don’t finish things on time. My advice is to not procrastinate too much as you’ll regret it if you’re not fast enough.”
It is no mystery—AP classes can be stressful and take time to adjusting to. This often affects the health of many high school students. It it best to remain on schedule in order to maintain a decent grade in an AP class. When a student picks a class, he or she should recognize that a constant state of stress can be dangerous to one’s health.
According to mayoclinic.org, stress can have physical, mental, and behavioral effects. Common effects include headaches, muscle tension or pain, fatigue, stomach and sleep problems. It can also risk the chances of anxiety and depression. Behavioral effect include bad eating habits (under eating or overeating), and angry outbursts.
Most AP students find the AP Test at the end of the year most stressful.
“The only thing that’s intimidating is the AP test, otherwise it’s just as I expected,” Garcia states.
Most students consider these tests to be hard because of the rigorous time limits and difficult questions. Yet, students need to recognize that whether one fails the test or not, there is still hope for college.
Ellen McCammon from blog.prepscholar.com clarifies, “While you don't typically need to send official AP score reports to colleges you're applying to, some schools will have space on their applications for you to self-report your AP scores. And if your scores are on your application, admissions committees will see them. Similarly, if you have any low AP scores you'd prefer admissions committees not see, you don't have to (and shouldn't) report them on your application.”
In other words, if you failed an AP Test some colleges give you the choice of adding them to your application. If you happen to dislike a certain AP score, there isn’t a need to mention it.
Nevertheless, the most important part about AP classes is being able to learn. Although it may make or break your GPA, it is quite helpful in academic improvement.
Hailey Tran says, “AP classes helps you figure out what some of your strengths and weaknesses are in terms of academics and other skills like time management. Also, it can possibly help you figure out the subjects you're genuinely interested in, and what you might want to be doing in the future. My experience with AP is that your class grades don't actually define you as much as I thought they used to. In the end, as long as you feel you've tried your hardest, have learned something from it, and don't have regrets the AP classes will be worth it.”
Most students admit to disliking AP classes at the start of the year. It is difficult to adjust to, but with time it gets easier. If you consider taking AP classes anytime next year just remember: AP classes are not child’s play, nor are they an “easy A.” They are there for those who are ready to take the extra step to conquering their future.
As an AP student myself, I can tell you this: whether it is worth it or not depends on you. Currently a junior at Yerba Buena (2018-2019), I personally have a difficult time adjusting to this newly found AP life. However, I admit I have learned more in my AP English Language class within a span of two months compared to an entire year of a normal english class. For example, in APLANG I have learned more about that in college-level essays, it is encouraged to not limit yourself to a specific amount of quotes or paragraphs. As opposed to a normal english class, where I was taught to specifically use five paragraphs in an essay.
Whether you pick AP classes or not, you’ll live another day. If you do pick it, make sure to be flexible as well as responsible. I’d personally recommend picking a class that you enjoy, or one that would help you prepare for your major in college. With that, I say good luck future AP students!
Nevertheless, the most important part about AP classes is being able to learn. Although it may make or break your GPA, it is quite helpful in academic improvement.
Hailey Tran says, “AP classes helps you figure out what some of your strengths and weaknesses are in terms of academics and other skills like time management. Also, it can possibly help you figure out the subjects you're genuinely interested in, and what you might want to be doing in the future. My experience with AP is that your class grades don't actually define you as much as I thought they used to. In the end, as long as you feel you've tried your hardest, have learned something from it, and don't have regrets the AP classes will be worth it.”
Most students admit to disliking AP classes at the start of the year. It is difficult to adjust to, but with time it gets easier. If you consider taking AP classes anytime next year just remember: AP classes are not child’s play, nor are they an “easy A.” They are there for those who are ready to take the extra step to conquering their future.
As an AP student myself, I can tell you this: whether it is worth it or not depends on you. Currently a junior at Yerba Buena (2018-2019), I personally have a difficult time adjusting to this newly found AP life. However, I admit I have learned more in my AP English Language class within a span of two months compared to an entire year of a normal english class. For example, in APLANG I have learned more about that in college-level essays, it is encouraged to not limit yourself to a specific amount of quotes or paragraphs. As opposed to a normal english class, where I was taught to specifically use five paragraphs in an essay.
Whether you pick AP classes or not, you’ll live another day. If you do pick it, make sure to be flexible as well as responsible. I’d personally recommend picking a class that you enjoy, or one that would help you prepare for your major in college. With that, I say good luck future AP students!