Advanced Placement (AP) courses have been seen as stepping stone for high school students
who want to succeed in college. Promising college credit and an edge in applications, they
challenge students with hard material, designed to mirror college-level coursework. According
to junior Mackenzi Herron, “AP classes expect a lot more from you and have higher standards.”
For students like Mackenzi Herron, AP courses serve as a preparation for higher education,
creating critical thinking and time management skills.
However, the intense workload of AP classes can feel overwhelming. “The most difficult part of
AP is the amount of after-school work whenever projects or homework are assigned,” shares
sophomore Haven Storey . AP exams, required to earn college credit, add to the pressure.
While some students, like freshman Lincoln Little Flower, find motivation in these exams.
Others, like Haven, question whether the stress outweighs the benefits. Mackenzi advises
careful planning: “Don’t take too many AP classes at once—maybe one to three at most—so
they don’t take over your life.”
Despite its reputation, AP is not the only path to earning college credit in high school. Programs
like dual enrollment offer students opportunities to take actual college courses and earn credits
that often transfer to more places than AP exam scores. “Dual enrollment immerses students in
the college atmosphere, promoting independence, while AP courses are taught in a high school
setting with more support,”( notes Research.com ). For students at Issaquah High School, the
choice often depends on personal preferences and accessibility, as AP classes are built into the
school schedule, making them more convenient than off-campus programs.
The benefits that AP classes has remain significant for students trying to prepare for college.
“My motivation is to earn college credit during high school and train my brain for the amount of
work in college,” says Lincoln. Going beyond credits, participation in AP classes builds
willingness to embrace challenging coursework, creating an edge in a student’s admissions. Yet,
experts suggest balancing ambitions with capacity to ensure AP classes are valuable rather than
burdensome.
who want to succeed in college. Promising college credit and an edge in applications, they
challenge students with hard material, designed to mirror college-level coursework. According
to junior Mackenzi Herron, “AP classes expect a lot more from you and have higher standards.”
For students like Mackenzi Herron, AP courses serve as a preparation for higher education,
creating critical thinking and time management skills.
However, the intense workload of AP classes can feel overwhelming. “The most difficult part of
AP is the amount of after-school work whenever projects or homework are assigned,” shares
sophomore Haven Storey . AP exams, required to earn college credit, add to the pressure.
While some students, like freshman Lincoln Little Flower, find motivation in these exams.
Others, like Haven, question whether the stress outweighs the benefits. Mackenzi advises
careful planning: “Don’t take too many AP classes at once—maybe one to three at most—so
they don’t take over your life.”
Despite its reputation, AP is not the only path to earning college credit in high school. Programs
like dual enrollment offer students opportunities to take actual college courses and earn credits
that often transfer to more places than AP exam scores. “Dual enrollment immerses students in
the college atmosphere, promoting independence, while AP courses are taught in a high school
setting with more support,”( notes Research.com ). For students at Issaquah High School, the
choice often depends on personal preferences and accessibility, as AP classes are built into the
school schedule, making them more convenient than off-campus programs.
The benefits that AP classes has remain significant for students trying to prepare for college.
“My motivation is to earn college credit during high school and train my brain for the amount of
work in college,” says Lincoln. Going beyond credits, participation in AP classes builds
willingness to embrace challenging coursework, creating an edge in a student’s admissions. Yet,
experts suggest balancing ambitions with capacity to ensure AP classes are valuable rather than
burdensome.
depends on each student’s individual goals and circumstances. While AP classes can provide an
academic boost and valuable skills, they aren’t the only option. For students like Mackenzi
Herron, the key is balance “They’re a great opportunity, but they shouldn’t take over your life.”
Whether pursuing AP, dual enrollment, or another pathway, the goal is the same—preparing
for the future while thriving in the present
academic boost and valuable skills, they aren’t the only option. For students like Mackenzi
Herron, the key is balance “They’re a great opportunity, but they shouldn’t take over your life.”
Whether pursuing AP, dual enrollment, or another pathway, the goal is the same—preparing
for the future while thriving in the present
Ultimately, the decision to take AP classes or explore another possibility like dual enrollment