AP Classes: What’s to Know?

As students register for classes, many of next year’s upperclassmen will be deciding whether to take an AP class. What should they consider?

You heard the announcements, “AP panel 3rd block, Wednesday, January 11.” But you didn’t go.

You’ve heard the upperclassmen complain and laugh about their overly crammed schedules and maybe thought to yourself, “Now why would I want to put myself through that?” But won’t it be good to take on a challenge?

What’s rumor and what’s real?

To find out, I visited the AP panel and heard from current AP students what things students should know about taking an AP class.

“Do not take an AP class just for college benefits,” Kirsten Van Dam said. “Take them because you enjoy the subject.” She thought you should take a class with a subject that you genuinely enjoy, or at least remotely understand.

When taking an AP class Brook Weber suggested there are three things that help you succeed: “Listen to the teachers, time management, and taking advantage of the opportunity.”

The teachers are there to help you through the difficult concepts and assist you in getting through it, but, of course, if you happen to fail you cannot blame your teacher or your schedule. “No excuses,” Sage Preble says, “you will fail if you can’t keep up, and it’s no one’s fault but your own.”

Time management, as Brook said, is one of the most important things when it comes to taking an AP class. “Time management gets even harder when you are in extracurriculars such as theatre, debate, knowledge bowl, or any kind of sport,” Sydney Bitz explained. “It’s an understanding that you must sacrifice your time in order to succeed.”

The seniors at the panel also explained how important it is to make friends in your AP classes. “You get to meet and interact with people who are way different from you,” Kaitlyn Knight said. In that sense, it is more important to work on finding finding friends in the class than convincing a friend take it with you who might not be that interested. The class might not benefit your friend like it does you.

Before you turn in those AP recommendation forms, remember if you have any questions you can see Mrs. Sosa in the career center or speak to an upperclassman who has taken an AP class.