Advanced placement classes are considered a necessity to many students in order to get into prestigious colleges. Despite the fact they are not necessary to graduate, many students take AP classes to put themselves ahead of the curriculum and strengthen their academic records, however the number of students taking AP classes has rapidly decreased in the past two years. AP classes are slowly dying off due to lack of motivation from students.
Mr. Taylor, one of Silver Creek’s AP US History teachers, had four periods of APUSH last year, but only has two this year. “I would love to teach more AP periods, but it is what it is, the only nice thing about less students taking AP classes is that it gives regular classes stronger students.”
AP teachers are curious on why students are hesitant to challenge themselves. Is it fear of failure, lack of motivation, or other reasons that are preventing students from signing up for AP classes?
Mr. Taylor, one of Silver Creek’s AP US History teachers, had four periods of APUSH last year, but only has two this year. “I would love to teach more AP periods, but it is what it is, the only nice thing about less students taking AP classes is that it gives regular classes stronger students.”
AP teachers are curious on why students are hesitant to challenge themselves. Is it fear of failure, lack of motivation, or other reasons that are preventing students from signing up for AP classes?
AP mentality is a stigma about advanced placement classes and how stressful they can be for students. It has been growing each year, students scare one another with exaggerated statements about certain classes. Students often tell their underclassmen which teachers are difficult, what classes you should avoid, and overstate how rigorous the curriculum is. It causes a wave of fear and students begin to doubt their passions about certain subjects.
|
"AP mentality is a stigma about advanced placement classes and how stressful they can be for students."
|
Jennifer Le, a senior, took four AP classes her junior year and admits that despite the fact she sacrificed valuable hours of sleep and was under loads of stress, AP classes made her junior year fun. She believes that the care that AP teachers have is tremendous and claims it encouraged her to challenge herself more in life. “Ms. Voss was extremely understanding of my situation. There were times I fell asleep in class, and she told me to not worry about it because she understood that I was taking a lot of stressful classes. AP teachers care a lot about their students,” said Le.
Santiago Collazo, a junior at Silver Creek, regrets that he did not take AP Language and Composition, due to rumors from friends that the class is impossible to pass and causes an immense amount of stress.“There were AP classes that I was told are extremely difficult, and it scared me to the point I didn’t want to sign up, but hearing about them now from my friends, I regret not signing up and challenging myself even further,” said Collazo.
Santiago Collazo, a junior at Silver Creek, regrets that he did not take AP Language and Composition, due to rumors from friends that the class is impossible to pass and causes an immense amount of stress.“There were AP classes that I was told are extremely difficult, and it scared me to the point I didn’t want to sign up, but hearing about them now from my friends, I regret not signing up and challenging myself even further,” said Collazo.
The thought of adding more stress onto our shoulders is terrifying. But, is AP mentality merely another synonym for self doubt? Many students say that they doubt their ability to take on AP classes, but end up regretting their decisions when regular classes aren’t challenging enough for them, especially in a subject they plan to pursue. There are students who want to become doctors, yet opt out of taking classes like AP Biology because of their fear of failure. We need to stop putting fear into our heads and doubting our abilities. We need to teach students to challenge themselves in subjects they wish to pursue in the future and not allow others words to scare them from trying.
High school is temporary, and it is scary to believe that four years may determine whether or not you go to college, but in the end, it is better to know that you tried your best rather than not try at all.
High school is temporary, and it is scary to believe that four years may determine whether or not you go to college, but in the end, it is better to know that you tried your best rather than not try at all.