Oh Boy...

Suna-chan · Otaku Master Age: 36 Gender: Joined: 22 May 2003

Well, it hasn't even been two full weeks back to school, and already I face a major dilemma.

As of this year I am a junior in high school, and I am taking several challenging classes:

French IV honors
German I
Gifted Journalism
AP Calculus
AP US History
Gifted/Honors British Lit
Health (this semester..next will be BPE)
and finally..

Honors Physics.

Now here is where the problem lies.

In previous years, I have never had any real difficulty in science - in fact (<_< brag moment) last year in honors chemistry (which some claim was the hardest science class at school...mostly because of the teacher -or lackthereof) I was awarded the "most outstanding honors chemistry student of the year"...and that's out of 3500+ kids.. (ok so maybe that's not how many were in chemistry but still..there were a good number of students in the class).

And now, 4 days into the class (because we are on an even/odd schedule), I sit in physics horribly lost, horribly confused, and ready to cry. I do not do well when I do not understand something because usually I am lucky enough to have concepts and ideas come rather easily - or at least have someone else who is able to explain to me in a way that I can understand. Also, because these are only the 'building block basics' that we are "reviewing" (I put this in quotes because for me it is all new...I never took physical science (where the information was learned) as a freshman, but instead was put on the advanced track and took biology) I am very worried that as the class progresses it will only become harder - not the other way around.

I have talked with both my mom and dad about this, and they both recommend I drop the class; it would be pointless to stay in the class and get a low grade in the class (lowering my gpa) or to focus so much on not understanding that class that my other classes suffer as well. I have also talked with other friends (who are either in college or who have graduated) and they all say that unless I plan to major in something math or science oriented (which I definitely do not :p), that I would most likely not need physics.

Sounds great, yeah? I thought so too - until I looked in my agenda. I am on the college prep course, and with that I am required to take 3 units of science - either biology, chemistry, and physics (course I am on now) OR I could take physical science, biology, and chemistry. However, physical science is a 9th grade class...and in order to graduate I would either have to take that, or physics.

So my question - what do I do?

I realize the idea of "ask the teacher for extra help" or "go to tutoring"...so if you have any OTHER suggestions, that would be great.

Zzyxx · *bursts into flame* Gender: Joined: 30 Sep 2004

honestly, i would drop the class and take physical science. it's freshie class, that much is true... but that means you'll probably get a better grade in that class. i did something similar to dodge physics myself, only i had the option of taking anatomy. Maybe you do to?

Shammy · New Age King Age: 37 Gender: Joined: 29 Sep 2004

Ultrawolf · Mr. Roarke Gender: Joined: 04 Jul 2003

I took Physics my Junior year as well.
IMO it's more like a math class.
I would reccomend taking Anatomy this year if possible.
Save Physics for next year if you still want to do it.
AP classes are nice though, They're Hard Yea but you can get credit for those classes depending on college to college based on a score of 3 or higher usually. I'm skipping English 1101 because of my AP score, I'm taking 1102 First Semester and Then Ill be completely done with English for my College Prep Requirements. Definitly worth all the struggle if you can score well.

Shammy · New Age King Age: 37 Gender: Joined: 29 Sep 2004

Ultrawolf · Mr. Roarke Gender: Joined: 04 Jul 2003

Shammy · New Age King Age: 37 Gender: Joined: 29 Sep 2004

Blackmage · Posted: Sun Aug 21, 2005 4:11 am Post subject:

with that insane class load i'd just take physical science and be done with it, the class is a synch imo(meaning easy a). then again i learned 3/4ths of it in jr high in california before moving out here.

Suna-chan · Otaku Master Age: 36 Gender: Joined: 22 May 2003

Alright...thanks guys. Yes, I realize it IS highschool, but in my family there is so much emphasis on succeeding in ANY level of school that it's hard to just regard it like that... but I'm sure in your families there is that push to do great in school also :p

I don't think I can take anatomy in place of physics - I need either physical science or physics, nothing else (plus, I think anatomy is only a 1/2 semester class at my school and you have to pair it with something else....I could be wrong though).

Mmkay well then looks like it's going to be physical science...

now to get my schedule changed X_x

Silver Adept · Otaku Lord Age: 42 Gender: Joined: 20 May 2003

In my experience, physical science is about the science of physical things. Physics is about the mathematical equations that model the things you learn about in physical science.

So if you're not up to the math (and it can be scary - I never took a physics course - instead, I got nabbed with calculus), then physics will be a nightmare.

But since you're already shifting your schedule, this is more of a postscript.