From a Sophomore to Freshmen: Tips about Advanced Placement Classes
A sophomore M. Kim shares her experience with Advanced Placement classes and offers tips for students unfamiliar with the high-intensity courses.
As students at Del Norte High School fill out their course request forms, many freshmen are thinking about taking their first APs.
Kim said that she believes the key to having a successful AP experience is for students to choose courses that interest them. She said students should want the challenge and not be pressured into the class by friends or parents.
“If you don’t like the subject, I guarantee you it will be twice as hard for you to do well in the subject,” Kim said. “Play to your strengths.”
Kim suggested planning what classes to take in which year of high school. She said that planning ahead helps students ensure they get the basics needed for a specific AP. She said students should prioritize the top APs they want to take instead of trying to challenge themselves in every subject.
Kim said she wanted to take AP European History and AP Calculus AB because the course was part of the math pathway she selected.
Kim added that she thinks the biggest challenge is time management. She said that students, especially those who are in many extracurriculars, may sacrifice sleep for schoolwork. A tool that she said helped her with time management was making daily schedules to keep track of homework and other activities. This year, Kim said distance learning gave her more time to focus on her classes, but she still had to stay up late or wake up early to finish her work.
“I don’t really have any regrets, but if we attended school in person I think I would have had some [regrets],” Kim said. “Not being able to go outside or see friends has been hard but it’s given me time to immerse myself in my work, but in person school wouldn’t have given me that opportunity.”
Students can reach out to teachers, other students, and counselors to answer questions or get more advice.