Its all about AP

As course selection for next year begins, students are in a frenzy to figure out how many AP classes they can possibly fit into their schedule. Especially at New Trier, everyone wants to take as many as possible, and a lot of the time, it is used as a bragging right. People taking five AP classes love to go around complaining about the homework load they have, or how hard their classes are, when in reality, why are they in those classes then? Of course APs look good for college and help avoid taking some classes in college, but they also seem to put students through too much stress.


While reading an article from a little over a year ago and also thinking about this a lot, it seems that many people are just taking these classes to say they have, even if it is not a class they are prepared to take. Many take these classes and struggle a lot, but are hesitant about dropping down, because they like the idea of being in an AP.


This relates back to the expectations set upon us as students. As a country as a whole as well as from our parents, town, and school, it is stressed that we should take AP classes. These being the hardest classes offered at our school, everyone wants us to reach the top, which is ultimately what taking an AP class means. It shows that you are 'smart enough' to handle these rigorous classes, and also shows you challenge yourself, when in reality, many that take APs are being challenged in their normal 3 level classes, but still feel the need to move up. Many students want to take these classes to live up to the expectations set upon us.