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Ok, well I'm currently needing help with my sophomore schedule. Background info: I failed bio (had a JERK of a teacher, besides being sick most of the second semester so I failed it). Anywho, I'm not strong in sciences, but I do love the subject. I pulled a B in the first semester (it was PIB Bio 1) so I know I'm not completely dumb at science. However, math is not my best subject and I have to retake Alg 1 Honors *embarrassment* for my sophomore year. Because of my weakness in math I decided to take Physical Science (1 semester is an intro to Physics the other is an intro to Chem)so I'd get an A and not have to struggle as much had I taken Chemistry. Here's my dilemma. The school (even though it does have it listed in the cirriculum guide) doesn't have Physical Science Honors and I don't want to take standard level because I do not get along well with the um..."average" people. They see me as an over-achiever HA! so they constantly bug me and ridicule me. My counselor advised me not to take Chem next year because of my weak math background but today I found out about the whole only standard level Physical Science.
My options are:
Physical Science (S)
Chemistry (S)
Chemistry (H)
AP Environmental Science

I am actually adamant about taking a standard course because my GPA will go lower and lower with each standard I take (highest GPA possibilities will drop). I know it's bad to be GPA oriented but I really have to make up for my freshman year GPA (which will remain unknown *shudder*). With Chemistry I'd be taking on a difficult course that I'd definitely struggle in, but I'm willing to get help and do some self study for it. With PS I'd sit there bored out of my mind being pestered by imbeciles. I've heard that colleges do not take AP Enviro seriously so I don't even know if its worth it (although the weighting for the GPA would be nice lol).

If this has any relevance my projected schedule is:
English II Honors
French II
Spanish II
Latin I
German I (maybe 2, not sure)
Band
AP World History
Algebra I Honors
(science course)

**I am out of IB, thank Ra!**
Any advice?

By Matt37 (Matt37) on Tuesday, July 08, 2003 - 02:08 pm: Edit

hmmm, i doubt i'll be of much help to you.
I personally think that a chemistry class can be easy or extremely hard depending on the teacher. My school has a few great chem teachers, so the majority of the ppl who take chem honors do well. Some however, don't. A lot of people seem to find chem really hard, and if math/science isnt your strong subject, I'm afraid I wouldn't recommend taking honors.
I personally think that Regular "physical science" really won't look good in soph year, so I'd go with AP Env. Sci. I know that colleges dont think its the hardest AP (which of course it isnt) but it is harder + looks better than regular phys. sci.
So my advice to you is to either take Honors Chem for a little while in the beg. of the year and if you think you can handle it... then go for it. But otherwise I'd take AP Env. Sci. You could also take Chem Standard (or drop down if you find Chem Honors too hard) b/c I think most colleges will want to see you take chem sometime in h.s.

I know, this was a really confusing post(i gave u too many choices not really a straight answer)... haha sorry bout that.

btw thats a LOT of languages... lol i could never do that

By Number9 (Number9) on Tuesday, July 08, 2003 - 02:26 pm: Edit

With that many languages, you really ought to be planning to do something with/in foreign countries as a career.

I dont see how learning all those languages can be beneficial at once...you wont truly learn one.

Unless you're going to plan to work in many foreign lands, etc. than I'd tell you to consider doing better in Math. Algebra I for Sophmore year? Most kids take Alg1 in 8th or 9th grade...

By Bluegurl813 (Bluegurl813) on Tuesday, July 08, 2003 - 02:51 pm: Edit

I am not blessed in the math department . I had to take Pre Alg twice and got automatically moved up to Alg 1 Honors. I had an insane Alg teacher, and my middle school years were...a joke. Yes, I am planning a career in foreign languages which is why I am taking so many. I have a talent for learning them (for some strange reason) and I barely mix them up on tests so I think I'll be good. I just have this weird brain that lets me learn languages and understand them without a second thought or extra explanations. Math is the exact opposite, and since teachers will not take time with me or any other students, we get left behind. Half of my class failed (the Alg class) so I don't think that I'm completely stupid here. I know it will probably look bad to colleges but I'm going to work over time and probably take Pre Calc in senior year.

By Number9 (Number9) on Tuesday, July 08, 2003 - 05:39 pm: Edit

What colleges are you looking into applying eventually?

Languages take time to master, and I just dont see mastering 4 languages completely within high school and college. You'll eventually have to limit them when you get into college...