I plan to take about 5 or 6 ap classes my senior year and i was wondering if this is too much to handle?

Question

My senior year in high school i plan on taking about 5 or 6 ap classes like ap calculus, ap government, or ap english 4 and i was wondering if this would be too much to handle?

Answer 1

I took four AP classes (this was back at the dawn of the new millennium, e.g. 2001; the classes were AP English Composition, AP Calculus, AP European History, and AP Computer Science), one honors class (in Physics, a subject they sadly did not offer at the AP level), plus gym (required) and two more or less fluff classes (one on Java programming and one which ended up not being about nothing at all, due to some unfortunate circumstances vis-a-vis the original teacher for the class). It really never got me down much, I ended with pretty good grades (98% or so...), and it was a really fun year (particularly the spring when, due to block scheduling, I had my two fluff classes everyday, while AP Calculus and AP History switched off every other day). Of course, I'm a reasonably smart person (I'm a graduate student now, if that's an indication), and this allowed me to get by with a minimum of effort (for instance, I'm not sure I ever did homework for that AP Calculus class, which resulted in a few funny stories that I'll be telling for years and years).

So, the question you have to ask yourself is what kind of student are you? If you think you're pretty smart, and most of what you've done so far is easy, then you'll probably be fine. If you need to work pretty hard for your grades, then you might want to think about scaling back, particularly if you value your free time. Of course, one other factor is to find out who is teaching what, and how difficult the teachers are liable to be. It may be that, say, the teacher of AP Calculus is pretty easy, or that the teacher of AP History assigns a huge amount of work.

My final bit of advice has to do with AP English (particularly composition). Generally, colleges require freshmen to take a college writing course, which is invariably hellish in nature. I took the AP English Composition AP exam, got a 5, and my college gave me a "Get out of Freshman Writing Free" card :). The result was that I got to watch my roommates struggle through that, smiling at my good fortune (and it was good fortune, I wouldn't have taken the AP exam for it if it weren't for the teacher...). So, that may be one thing to keep in mind, because whatever AP English Composition is, it's not college level freshman writing.

Answer 2

I also took AP Stats, Pre Cal, AP Economics and Government and it wasn't too bad. It all depends on how much you can handle. Only you know what you are capable of. You have to also learn how to prioritize your time. Time mangement is the key. Have fun too, its your Senior year! Make time for fun, don't let school take over your life. I've know a lot of people who were taking AP classes, in sports and active in some sort of club. Yes it is possible! Hope this helps!

Answer 3

I know someone who is taking ap cal ap english ap chemistry... Since my school is on a blocked schedule we only take 3 classes a semester and its impossible to take more than 3 in a year. I suggest maybe sticking to the ones that you have a good chance at passing the test. Taking the class but not passing isnt going to help you in college.. I think about 3 or 4 classes would be a good load.

Answer 4

I'm going to say that it may be very difficult, depending on your scholarship. I took two when I was in high school and it was not so bad. I could not imagine a third however, especially if you are considering taking AP English and AP Calculus together. The exams are intended to be somewhat difficult. Also, there is no guarantee that a college will be able to give you credits for a specific class. They may just give you credits in some content area. IMHO, go a little easier on yourself and take 3.

Answer 5

I'm not a student, but I do quite a bit of reading. I think that's a pretty heavy load. You can probably handle the courses, but it's my understanding that there are exams or other assignments that take hours to complete that a lot of students just aren't prepared to handle. So check out all aspects of the courses from beginning to end and then decide for yourself. What is good about AP courses is that a lot of them give you college credits. Best wishes.

Answer 6

no not really
because i am also planning to take five or six AP classes
English 4 AP
Government/Economics AP
Physics AP
Calculus AP
Chemistry AP
Biology AP
so i don't think it will be too much to handle for me
and right now i am taking all possible Pre-AP and AP classes
and I STILL HAVE A LIFE

Answer 7

You are freakin crazy 6 Ap classes is too much to handle. You wont have a life!

Answer 8

Well my friend I plan on taking the same classes as you. In my opinion I think it will be too much to handle but I think it was also help us with our time management skills by allowing us to do all our school on time and still be able to participate in other activities such as sports and clubs, etc.

Good luck next year!

Answer 9

Just take the ones that will help you get a head start on your college curriculum. I think the calculus is a good idea if you are going into any kind of tech or science major.

Answer 10

I know a person in my AP Psychology class that is doing that and he is on top of his class in all of them. I am not saying its easy, but it is possible if you give up life :)