#advanced classes

Annette

Pre-Timeskip

Since I’ve been in advanced classes since fourth grade (and testing for them since third—gross) I wanna make a small guide for choosing if they’re right for you!

•THEY LOOK GREAT ON COLLEGE APPLICATIONS BUT.... they’re incredibly stressful. In IB/AP/Honor level classes, the workload is often trippled and expectations are exponentially higher. Don’t overload yourself just because it’ll impress a college board.

•ORGANIZATION IS KEY... Oftentimes (at younger ages) students will be placed in advanced classes because they’re organized. This isn’t always the case, but it helps to have all of your assignments done neatly if you take these classes

•PROCRASTINATION WILL KILL YOU... Sure, a lot of advanced students procrastinate, but that’s because they think they can because they’re “advanced.” Especially if they’ve been in those classes for a long time. Just do your homework immediately, it sounds boring but it’s worth it!

•BE POLITE TO TEACHERS... There’s a good reason smart kids are often “suck-ups” and that’s because they know when to ask for help and how to do it politely. Not only that but being polite makes an amazing first impression, which does wonders in the long run.

•MAKE FRIENDS IN THOSE CLASSES... They’ll probably save your ass. A lot of the times advanced kids form a group to help each other remember deadlines and help with homework. This can minimize your stress.

it honestly depends on your strengths + weaknesses in school and what your life is like. if you’re not strong in a subject, reconsider taking an advanced class in it. if you’re stronger in a certain subject, then think about your higher-level options. if you have a busy schedule with other extracurriculars, it might not be a good idea to load yourself up with classes.

in the end, it all really depends on you.don’t give into peer pressure or stuff like that. do what’s right for you.

as for me, i’ve gotten used to the workload + i’ve become a lot better at balancing classes / studying / extracurriculars than i was before. i would probably be more inclined to taking more advanced classes because i’m used to it + i could probably handle it.

Sylvain

Pre-Timeskip

If the work for classes other then the core four or five classes. Which are some type of history or social studies, a science, an English or language, and math homework takes longer then 20 minutes a class period a night, I’m switching to another teacher or class entirely. If a teacher can’t manage time or overloads work in a non-core class that’s not ap or advanced, it’s not worth taking as an average student just trying to graduate. Unless you literally have to, to meet a certain criteria.

So I'm in American Sign Language III and this shit is quite the Rollercoaster

We do actually learn advanced signs and how to be polite and conversational with deaf people. However, 78% of this class is literally just us asking the teacher random off topic questions and her leaning into it and we go on entirely unrelated tangents for up to 20 minutes. I swear the entire class could be an advertisement for Ritalin. For example, this happened yesterday:

Teacher: OK thats it! No more that's what she said jokes! I'm doing my best not to get fired and none of yall are helping! I'm banning the phrase that's what she said!

The rest of the class: Aww man 😭

My classmate without missing a beat: Tis what she proclaimed!

My friend next to me: But soft! Isn't that precisely what HE proclaimed?

My teacher:

Marianne

Pre-Timeskip