AP Classes: Should you take them?

As Mount Olive High School students are preparing their schedules for next year, there is a big question on many students’ minds: Should I sign up for AP classes? Today I am here to tell you about the different aspects of AP classes and how you can make the best decision for your schedule next year.

In case you didn’t know, AP classes are college-level courses which have a corresponding exam in May based on what you have learned throughout the entire year. Therefore, if a student earns a good score, typically a 4 or a 5, on an exam, they may be eligible to place out of certain introductory courses once they go to college. Therefore, in the long run, AP classes have the potential to save you time and money in the future. Taking AP classes also looks great on a transcript. Colleges love to see a rigorous course load, so if this is something that a school of your choice emphasizes, taking a few AP classes would probably be a good idea.

However, AP classes are not easy. Students must keep in mind that AP classes are at the collegiate level, meaning that you must be ready to do work at a collegiate level. Generally, you will receive a lot more work in an AP course than you would in a CP or Honors class. This work is more in-depth, going beyond the basics of a subject. If you decide to enroll in AP, prepare to be challenged, and do not expect to always get the A.

There are also many extended deadlines in AP classes, which means that you need to be able to manage your time in order to be successful with a rigorous course load. You will need to ensure that you can keep on top of work for all of your classes, and prioritize assignments based on their importance.

Overall, AP classes do have a lot of benefits if you know you are up to the challenge. However, I cannot stress enough how important it is not to stretch yourself too thin with AP classes. Sure, you may be smart enough to take six AP classes, but if you have a plethora of after school activities and a part-time job on top of that, I can guarantee that you will quickly regret your scheduling decisions. Make sure you take the amount of AP classes that you can actually handle; you do not want to end up feeling completely overwhelmed by the second week of school next year!

So should you take AP classes? The answer is truly up to you. Take time to tailor your schedule to your specific needs. Talk to your guidance counselor, current teachers, and even try to talk to teachers who teach the AP classes you are thinking about. These people truly want you to succeed, so they will give you honest answers about these classes. The best advice I can give is to listen to your instincts, but also take in the help that others are giving you. Good luck, and happy scheduling!