When choosing classes, many factors influence students’ decisions. While some prioritize increasing their GPA, others enroll in courses that genuinely interest them. However, there is another, less obvious criterion students often employ: they don’t take AP or other hard classes because they can negatively impact one’s GPA due to the more rigorous and harder courseload.
By the time students reach their last year of high school, the college search and application process is their main focus. Receiving a bad grade in a course and tanking their GPA are stressors that many seniors hope to avoid.
Seniors also choose courses they feel confident in to maintain strong grades, especially with the pressures of college applications. When students do decide to take AP classes, they often choose to do so to boost their “GPA,” rather than interest in a certain topic.
Additionally, seniors are granted free periods. Students with a lot going on outside of school, such as school-related extracurriculars or other activities like sports and work, utilize their free periods to balance their lives outside of academics. However, many students are guilty of using free periods as an unproductive use of time, and are found staring at their phone.
Picking challenging courses despite the risk of bad grades is still worth it, as high school is the gateway to college. One can explore courses and find their passions, which is a prime way to prepare for applying to majors.
While classes are tougher, AP courses go more in depth with topics, so picking only easier courses in high school can directly impact one’s preparedness for college-level courses.
When signing up for more difficult classes, it is important to keep your life balanced—take what interests you but don’t overdo it. Don’t complicate your time with too many classes when you can savor the last year and spend it with your friends and family.
Ultimately, challenging yourself with courses that intrigue you will be worthwhile. Experiencing new classes before college will ensure that you will make the most of your final year and set you up for success in the future.
