High school is once in a lifetime experience, and every student is dedicated to succeed. Whether it is necessary to go above and beyond is the student’s own choice; the higher you go, the harder it will be. But could the pressure at the top sometimes be too overwhelming?
Some students at Ridge High school love to challenge themselves.
Alicia Jen ‘16, who is currently enrolled in AP European history, explains, “Advanced classes not only teach students more in-depth information, they also challenge them to apply knowledge and put more effort into their work, giving them valuable skills. The activities and projects keep the classes fun and interesting.”
Many of the Ridge High School students believe that not only do AP classes help them gain more knowledge, students in these classes are more prepared to enter college and find success.
Other upperclassmen have the same perspective towards advanced classes as well. Jonathan Jen ‘15 states, “I think they are within the scope of my abilities, as long as I devote more time to them. When I got back some bad grades, I didn’t think about dropping the classes at all. It only incentive me to try harder next time, and hope for the best”. He suggests that AP classes not only shape him, but also encourage him to work harder than he normally would. Not only do AP courses teach students how to become better, they help students to develop better time management skills; knowing that in order to accomplish everything, they must work efficiently in certain amount of time.
However, while advanced courses are great options for students, some students find it difficult to take all AP courses.
Emily Saul ‘15 suggests, “They are definitely a great option to have at Ridge but only if you understand your limits. They can be overwhelming if you take too many classes.”
And that is the take away. Students need to understand themselves and manage the right amount of advance courses appropriate for them. Students shouldn’t challenge themselves beyond what they can manage.
Whether the classes are beneficial to you or frustrating depends on each individual. Don’t be afraid to challenge yourself, but also don’t be afraid to know your own limits.