I'm trying to make a schedule for my senior year and I wanna know which courses typically have the most workload. I want to challenge myself but also avoid burnout. Can you help me?
Sure, I'd be happy to give you some general insight on this. Keep in mind that the workload of a course can vary greatly from school to school or teacher to teacher, but there are a few common classes that are often seen as notably demanding:
1. Advanced Placement (AP) classes: AP classes like AP Calculus (both AB and BC), AP English Literature, AP Chemistry, AP Physics, AP European History, or AP U.S. History typically have substantial workloads due to their college-level rigor. These classes often mean a lot of reading, writing, and preparation for the AP tests.
2. International Baccalaureate (IB) classes: Full IB diploma students often find themselves extremely challenged by the robust course load. The Extended Essay, Theory of Knowledge coursework, and internal assessments in each subject also add to the workload.
3. Dual Enrollment classes: If you're taking college level courses in high school for combined credit (often at a local community college), expect these courses to have a college-level workload.
4. Advanced science and math classes: Regardless of whether they are AP or not, courses like Physics, Calculus, or Chemistry often require considerable study time and challenging problem sets.
Remember, it's not simply about maximizing difficulty. If you're interested in humanities, for example, consider taking rigorous courses in history, English and social sciences. If you're a STEM-oriented person, challenging yourself in math and sciences might be a good choice. Balance is important; challenging yourself is great but protect your mental health and ensure you still have time for extracurricular activities and relaxation.
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