For many high school students, it is time to pick and request classes for the next school year. Especially for the incoming juniors, there is the possibility of high levels of anxiety and stress as junior year is a year of high priority for many. It is the year that they sign up for as many as 6 Advanced Placement classes without realizing what they are actually signing up for. With their futures at stake, these students have big decisions to make as they run blindly into the next school year.
There is an overwhelming number of students that are taking the path of multiple AP classes, and while some students have full capability to manage their time in all of their classes, many students are particularly ignorant of what multiple AP classes means in terms of workload and testing.
Noel Hwang, an incoming junior at Crescenta Valley High School, plans on taking 5 AP classes after taking none the previous year. In an interview with JSR, she said, “I know I’m going to die, but I think I’ll be okay.”
To many students who seemingly understand the amount of work, consistency, and commitment required, death may seem like an understatement. One current junior described the experience as “an unbearable pain which he has full regrets for and strongly advises against it.”
Obviously, many decide to overlook that advice and take the cliche path of multiple AP classes. But for the few that decide to take less than the “norm”, their decisions may prove to be wiser than the rest.
Anna Giboney, another incoming junior who wisely decided to take considerably fewer AP classes, explained her reasoning. “Balance in life is much more important than killing myself with so much work. I would much rather have a happier life than be miserable studying for 5 or 6 AP classes.”
Although few students share Giboney’s opinion, many teachers and counselors highly stress a balanced life and one with less stress.