AP History Vs Regular

H

HopefulMid

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I am currently a sophomore at my high school. I am having trouble with my AP World history class with keeping my grade at an A. It hovers around an 88. I was wondering if it would be worth it next year if I took AP US history or if I should take the regular US history class. On the USNA website it has History classes and something to make you more competitive. My current field of choice at the naval academy is the Naval architecture program. (So not history) any advice would be great!
Thanks
 
Also, make sure you're studying properly. I've no doubt you can get A's. Have you analyzed where you're falling short? See you can get a handle on that. Do you participate in class discussions? Do you need to prep for tests better?

Adapt and overcome!
 
Yep, I would take the AP courses. It sucks, but get good habits now so that if you eventually get an appointment you won't struggle at the SA. The classes don't get easier.
 
Take AP. From my personal experience with AP US History, it is one of the most rewarding classes to take. The good thing about you is that you CARE about your performance in your classes and so I would say you are completely capable of reaching your desired grade. One thing that I will mention about your 88: talk with your teacher during office hours. Exchange with him/her emails frequently. Show your interest in her class. Ask questions during class, even if they may be questions you already know the answer to. Just be an active participant in your teacher's class and show that you are worthy of his/her help.
 
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An 88 is better than a 78 .... Be proud of your hard work.

Now go run 5 miles, and study your math, chem, and physics too .... and don’t forget your writing ... write write write write, and write some more .... and practice your piano and your cello ... it’s all good.
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BWMa said:
Yep, I would take the AP courses. It sucks, but get good habits now so that if you eventually get an appointment you won't struggle at the SA. The classes don't get easier.
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It does indeed suck now to take the AP courses, but embrace the suck. It will help you later.
 
I got a D in AP world first semester, then second I brought it up to a B. I also have an LOA to WP, take the AP course do well and improve. It will look better to have a big improvement in an AP course than dropping it to have a good grade in a regular course, it also shows determination.
 
Dr. Strange Love said:
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An 88 is better than a 78 .... Be proud of your hard work.

Now go run 5 miles, and study your math, chem, and physics too .... and don’t forget your writing ... write write write write, and write some more .... and practice your piano and your cello ... it’s all good.
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This made me laugh thanks for the advice
 
Dr. Strange Love said:
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An 88 is better than a 78 .... Be proud of your hard work.

Now go run 5 miles, and study your math, chem, and physics too .... and don’t forget your writing ... write write write write, and write some more .... and practice your piano and your cello ... it’s all good.
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Also Hit some pull-ups on your way to and from the bathroom. Nobody ever regrets pull-ups.
 
My son was originally scheduled for AP History his sophomore year. It was the only AP class given to sophomores at his HS, so it was a given to take it. The problem was, due to block scheduling, that would have required him to drop either Engineering (he was in the Project Lead the Way program, which is a full 4 year program), or Band. He dropped to Honors History to make his schedule work. He realized he would never, ever be a History major, and dropping to a lower level opened other opportunities for him. He was able to take 2 Honors classes in place of that AP class. Ironically, his rank went up by several spots due to weighting.

So as all the others have posted, yes, always challenge yourself and take the highest level courses possible. But also look at the big picture... Dropping to a lower level in one subject may open opportunities in other subjects. But make sure you take the highest level classes in those subjects. Don't simply do it to make life easier. FWIW... He is now a Youngster at USNA. He always planned on going Naval Architecture, but decided to become a Physics major. He loves it.

Good Luck!
 
brewmeist said:
The problem was, due to block scheduling, that would have required him to drop either Engineering (he was in the Project Lead the Way program, which is a full 4 year program), or Band. He dropped to Honors History to make his schedule work. He realized he would never, ever be a History major, and dropping to a lower level opened other opportunities for him. He was able to take 2 Honors classes in place of that AP class. Ironically, his rank went up by several spots due to weighting.
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Glad your son was able to do the Engineering electives. Mine couldn't due to running in the AP rat race. Ironically, schools went to the block schedules to add classes per year for electives. Instead, students got pressured into just piling on more APs.
 
If how you currently study gets you an 88, then maybe you need to change how you study. Here are some ideas.

0) GO TO CLASS, READ THE CHAPTERS, AND DO THE HOMEWORK!

1) Go to Teacher's office hours early in the semester and Ask this question: "I know this is a really difficult class-- what are some of the common mistakes students make and how can I avoid them?"

2) If you have problems with the homework, go to Teacher's office hours. If they have any "help sessions" or "study sessions" or any thing extra, go to them.

3) Form a study group with other kids in your class.

4) Don't do the minimum...for STEM classes do extra problems. You can buy books that just have problems for calculus or physics or chemistry whatever. Watch online videos (e.g., Khan Academy) about the topic you are studying. For AP World History maybe get a AP test study guide for extra tips.

5) If things still are not going well, get a tutor. Your National Honor Society will have some. Or ask a teacher for a referral.

6) Read this book: How to Become a Straight-A Student: The Unconventional Strategies Real College Students Use to Score High While Studying Less by Cal Newport. It helps you with things like time management and how to figure out what to write about for a paper, etc.

7) For tests that you didn't do well on, can you evaluate what went wrong? Did you never read that topic? Did you not do the homework for it? Do you kind of remember it but forgot what to do? Then next time change the way you study...there may be a study skill center at your guidance office.

8) How much time outside of class do you spend studying/doing homework? Is it enough?

9) If you run into any social/health/family troubles (you are sick, your parents are sick, someone died, broke up with boy/girlfriend, suddenly depressed/anxiety etcetc) then immediately go to the guidance counselor and talk to them.

10) At the beginning of the semester, read the syllabus for each class. It tells you what you will be doing and when tests/HW/papers are due. Put all of that in your calendar. The teacher may remind you of things, but it is all there for you to see so take initiative and look at it.

11) Make sure you understand how to use your online class system...Login to it, read what there is for your classes, know how to upload assignments (if that is what the teacher wants).

12) If you get an assignment...make sure to read the instructions and do all the tasks on the assignment. Look at the rubric and make sure you have covered everything.

13) If you are not sure what to do, go EARLY to the teacher's office hours...not the day before the assignment is due.

14) Take advantage of any "re-do" tests you may be able to take..your teacher wants you to learn the material. Future material depends on it so you need to have the foundation. By explaining what went wrong you really understand it. Take advantage of this.

1
 
brewmeist said:
My son was originally scheduled for AP History his sophomore year. It was the only AP class given to sophomores at his HS, so it was a given to take it. The problem was, due to block scheduling, that would have required him to drop either Engineering (he was in the Project Lead the Way program, which is a full 4 year program), or Band. He dropped to Honors History to make his schedule work. He realized he would never, ever be a History major, and dropping to a lower level opened other opportunities for him. He was able to take 2 Honors classes in place of that AP class. Ironically, his rank went up by several spots due to weighting.

So as all the others have posted, yes, always challenge yourself and take the highest level courses possible. But also look at the big picture... Dropping to a lower level in one subject may open opportunities in other subjects. But make sure you take the highest level classes in those subjects. Don't simply do it to make life easier. FWIW... He is now a Youngster at USNA. He always planned on going Naval Architecture, but decided to become a Physics major. He loves it.

Good Luck!
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Thank you!
 
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