Ask Bunky: Back to School Edition

Ask+Bunky%3A+Back+to+School+Edition

Q: I’ve only been in my AP English class for a couple days now, and I’m already thinking that it’ll be too hard for me this year. I did all of the summer work and it didn’t seem too bad, but now that I’ve seen the syllabus I’m overwhelmed. Should I drop it in favor of an easier class? Sincerely, Scared Sophomore

 

Dear Scared Sophomore,

The beginning of the school year can be tough, especially when you are taking hard classes that are full of work. The AP classes at KHS are especially challenging, so many people will be quick to second guess their choice in signing up for them. As someone who’s dropped a class or two at KHS, I feel confident in saying that there’s no shame in dropping down into an easier class! Do what you think is best for you, because that is what will ensure that you have a great (and not overwhelming) school year. You want to make sure that you will still be getting sleep at night, because sometimes that can be hard to do between school, extracurriculars and homework.

However, don’t be too quick to drop the class if you think that you will get at least a B. A lot of students, especially those who are trying AP classes for the first time, will want to drop down to Honors or CP because they’re used to being straight A students. Remember, if you’re planning to go to college, a B in an AP class is better than an A+ in a CP class! Also, AP and IB classes do present the opportunity of earning college credit in high school, which can ultimately save you money if you earn a high score on your tests.

If you’re still not sure what to do, ask your guidance counselor. Ms. Hall, Mrs. Bartlett and Mr. Laverriere are all here to help you with this sort of thing, and they will be more than willing to help you. Also, don’t be afraid to talk to your AP English teacher. They’ll be able to tell you if, based on your summer homework, you’re qualified to be in their class. If not, they just might help you decide where to go next!

Best of luck!

Bunky