Advanced Placement classes . . . the classes that keep on giving (more homework).

As a senior, I’ve had my fair share of successes and failures with advanced classes.

I know, I know . . . scheduling ended last week, but I’m here to (hopefully) sway you to challenge yourself next year!

I haven’t taken as many Advanced Placement classes as some of my other classmates (looking at you Danica), but I think five is enough to make some recommendations to you underclassmen ECHO readers.

To start, I’d like to recommend two history classes that will keep you on your toes (and look really good on college applications).

AP World History is a challenge, partly because of how fast paced it is and how much content you go through, but also because it’s most people's first AP class. It’s not an easy class by any means, but I definitely learned a lot about myself (and what I need to improve . . . ) but specifically time management and what study habits work for me.

I also think this class made my writing much better since you are drilled with essays and extensive tests nearly every two weeks.

As of this writing I am taking AP European History. I find it easier than World (thank goodness).

Euro is offered to most students senior year, and in my opinion, this class has been the most interesting and fun history I’ve taken so far. In Euro you learn about art and culture that you don’t really get in your mainstream history classes. You also do not write as much as you do in World, so if you have PTSD from sophomore year, worry not.

Leaning into the history credits for upperclassmen, I additionally recommend that juniors take AP US Government. This class has been really fascinating to me, and with our current state of affairs, I think it really pays off to be well-versed on our US political system (#tea).

In terms of difficulty, I’ve found this class to be a breeze—as long as you listen to the notes. Mrs. O'Rorke does a great job of providing every study material you could ever need, so it’s really easy to study for the tests and exams.

As an honorable mention, I’d like to recommend CHS US History as well. Although it’s not an AP class, it is a college-level course. CHS US has really done a great job of explaining everythingggg in US history, and it goes so much more in-depth about US history than regular American history classes (and as an added bonus, by the time it’s over, whether you like it or not, you will know almost all the US presidents, in order).

Last, but not least, I would recommend AP Language and Composition. AP Lang taught me so much about writing (who would’ve thought) as well as advanced vocabulary that you can pull out and impress your Grandma. This class was fun and one of the few English classes where I feel like I really learned a lot, especially about Captain Ahab and his insane beef with a whale.

Hopefully you choose to take some of these tougher classes and expand your horizons next year (I won’t know how it goes; I will be gone. Not dead, just at college.)