DeSoto Eagle Eye

As second semester swings into a rapid beginning, many juniors have felt the challenging transition from pre-advanced courses to advanced placement courses. Not aware of what they were in for, many juniors soon experienced a challenge to maintain a stable grade point average, and be involved with a whole line up of extra curriculum activities.

“I am co-captain of the swim team and currently enrolled in two advanced placement level courses,” said junior Laura Lopez. Although Lopez is currently enrolled in two advanced placement courses, she has learned how to adapt to the ample amount of work in which advanced placement courses produc, all while maintaining her spot in the top twenty-five of her graduating class. “The moment I walk in into Mrs. Chastain’s English three AP instruction class, I expect nothing but work bell to bell,” said Lopez.

Although some students, who are experiencing the transition, have learned to adapt, others have learned the hard way, that it is pertinent to maintain both advanced level courses and extra curriculum activities on a healthy schedule.

“Advanced placement classes did become stressful at one point, because I had no idea of what I was getting into, and I had too much on my plate,” said junior Bianca Henderson. By being vigorously involved in tennis and advanced level courses, Henderson learned how to become a more organized student. “If I didn’t organize and learn from my mistakes, I knew things would get tough,” said Henderson.

Advanced placement classes can get rough and tough, and are thoughtfully designed for those determined headstrong students, however they do offer their perks and advantages. “I am enrolled in advanced placement classes not only to prepare myself for college work, but also for the learning environment,” said Lopez. While offering a chance to recevie college credits while still in high school, advanced placement classes do offer a positive learning environment in which the majority of the students enrolled in advanced courses have the same goals, to be successful in high school.

Aside from the double amount of work in which an advanced placement course provides than that of a regular course, advanced placement students also notice another difference in between the two. “In advanced placement classes the attention is focused on the students who really want to learn, and the immaturity is left outside, and more work is done,” said Lopez.

Overall, advanced placement classes are beneficial to those who are willing to commit to the work ad rigorous lesson plan in which an advanced level course offers. “By demonstrating that I am not afraid of trying something new that will benefit my accomplishments throughout the rest of my high school year is the true benefit of being enrolled in advanced placement classes,” said Henderson. After all, many advanced placement courses are actually college courses, so a high school attitude in an advanced placement course must be left outside the door.

Written By: Eboni Monroe Editor-in-chief