Hello, currently I am taking a two year Global History AP (advance placement) class. I don't find the class all that difficult, but how much it is worth to me in the future is in doubt. I am in the first year of the course. At the end of the second, there is an AP test worth a college credit (I believe only one). My question is, will the class help me in a career of programming (in general) or even when applying to college? I'm having some problems cramming the knowledge into my head for one test in one week. We have a test & essay every week. For example, our last "unit" was about where Hinduism and Buddhism. We read the portion of this book ( http://www.amazon.com/Worlds-Religions-Great-Wisdom-Traditions/dp/0062508113/sr=8-2/qid=1166062576/ref=sr_1_2/103-7505961-2502205?ie=UTF8&s=books ) by Hustom Smith, and it was included on the test, including all the regular information taught in class. Most of it was over my head, but I was able to scrap about 5-6 pages of notes the night we had to read it (which was required, as the notes were graded the next day). Basically I'm just having a difficult time retaining all of this information, which I need to for the next two years. Is the class worth taking next year? Should I focus on a different AP class (my guidance officer said I could take any AP class available if i could fit it into my school schedule.)? As well, next summer I have to read 5, 500 page books and take notes (roughly 50 pages per books), then write essays for each. For a 9th grade student, I am a bit overwhelmed. So, any insight into which would be best a career and college would be appreciated. Thanks so much! :) By the way, I'm not trying to come across as a whiner or someone seeking sympathy. I am just a bit lost and need some guidance.

One thing I've noticed is that no class is a complete waste.

That said, most colleges and universities will be looking at your average and a select few course, which depend on the faculty you're applying to. (Please check with the schools you are interested in! Don't take my word for it.) You seem interested in Computer Science/Engineering, and I don't see this course being DIRECTLY useful in those areas. I'm not sure what courses they are offering at your highschool, but things like math, computer science, physics, etc. might be better.

Seeing as you'll be halfway done the course by the end of this year, you could decide to just stick it out and get credit. Post-secondary schools almost always require you to take courses outside of your major, and this would probably count. That way you can get some free time for courses that interest you more. Again, I would look at the colleges/universities I'm planning to apply to and checking their policies. Also, getting practice writing early on is very helpful for university and most jobs.

Maybe try writing out the pros and cons for each and decide for yourself?

The more APs the better. Colleges and Universities see them as you challenging yourself throughout your academic career. AP mathematics (calculus) and science courses would be more useful if you are going into a technical field, but having AP history under your belt will show that you are well-rounded.

Bro whined:
>I'm not trying to come across as a whiner or someone seeking sympathy.

No problem, whiner.

>I am taking a two year Global History AP (advance placement) class. I don't find the class all that difficult, but how much it is worth to me in the future is in doubt.

Read The Waste Of Time FAQ: http://www.sloperama.com/advice/lesson51.htm ("Is It A Waste Of Time?"). Your answer is definitely in there.

Quote: Original post by bronxbomber92
Should I focus on a different AP class (my guidance officer said I could take any AP class available if i could fit it into my school schedule.)? As well, next summer I have to read 5, 500 page books and take notes (roughly 50 pages per books), then write essays for each.

Take it from a current college student, AP courses or any course that you could possibly get college credit in high school helps you out tremendously. First off it makes colleges look at you with much more respect, than if did better in a regular class. Generally they will be more likely accept your application.

Second it will help you get used to studying for college courses. One of the thing that hit me is that in high school I never had to study to get A's and B's, however when I got to college I got hit hard by the fact that I had no clue how to study and did poorly in class.

One last thing is that when you get to college the less classes you have to take to get your four year degree that you could have done in high school the better. It allows you to space out your classes more and take less hours a semester.

I assume that since you are posting here you are thinking of some sort of gaming degree when going to college. I highly recommend AP Math and science courses. Also if you have programming class offered in your high school take those.

Quote: Original post by bronxbomber92
My question is, will the class help me in a career of programming (in general) or even when applying to college?...Basically I'm just having a difficult time retaining all of this information, which I need to for the next two years. Is the class worth taking next year? For a 9th grade student, I am a bit overwhelmed.

I know alot of those classes you are taking now will seem useless. To me it felt like I was banging my head into a wall learning meaningless stuff. However if you ever want to design a video game that is based on historical past you'll find out history class becomes usefull. I know you'll seem overwhelmed by extra knowledge that you don't need but you'll be suprised at how much you'll actually use the knowledge.

Thanks for the advice. I guess history isn't such a bad class after I stop worrying about the class. I'll continue on with it and see where it takes me!

I'll look into the colleges I'm interested in, and see what classes they require, ect... I know Math and Science are very important, that is why I'm taking calculus (AP class I suppose), and physics AP :). I was wondering, what the difference between tech schools and "regular" colleges in terms of prerequisites and what classes are needed when intending the college.

Quote: Original post by bronxbomber92
I was wondering, what the difference between tech schools and "regular" colleges in terms of prerequisites and what classes are needed when intending the college.

Well it depends on what type of tech school your talking about. There are two year tech schools that just require just a high school diploma or the equivalent (like a GED), generally these schools and their degrees are not ones you really want to check out as they are for people not wanting to go to college. While better than nothing you'll find getting a job with a four year degree at a regular college will open up more oppertunities. Now if you talking tech. schools like Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech, or Texas Tech just to name a few that's a different story. Those type of tech schools are just like regular colleges, generally they are geared more towards engineering fields. Most regular colleges require you to have about 4 years of math, 4 years of science, 3 to 4 years of English, 3 years of history, and most require 2 years of a foreign language (this is based on my applications to colleges and is by no means exactly what colleges look for), other than that they look at you Test scores and extra curriculair activities. Again I hoped I helped.

Yes, you've been of much help!

When I was referring to tech schools, I meant schools like Digipen (but not so prestigious).

Quote: Most regular colleges require you to have about 4 years of math, 4 years of science, 3 to 4 years of English, 3 years of history, and most require 2 years of a foreign language

Do you mean they require that coming out of highschool, or is required to take those classes when in college? If you mean in highschool (which I think you do) then all of that is required at my highschool, except 3 years of math and only 1 year of foreign languages (but almost everyone takes 2 years, and I'm taking it for 5, so I'm set for that).

Quote: Original post by bronxbomber92
Hello, currently I am taking a two year Global History AP (advance placement) class. I don't find the class all that difficult, but how much it is worth to me in the future is in doubt. I am in the first year of the course. At the end of the second, there is an AP test worth a college credit (I believe only one). My question is, will the class help me in a career of programming (in general) or even when applying to college?

Stick with the class. As other posters have mentioned, AP credits are great when applying for 4-year colleges and universities.

What you learn in Global History may not be directly applicable to punching code, but you will draw on that knowledge in other aspects of your career. That is why most four year colleges require "general education" classes outside your major.

I can remember wanting to kill myself to stop the boredom while sitting through a semester of early music history in college. ("Why do I have waste so much time studying music that no one perfoms anymore?") Then, two months ago somebody mentioned faux bourdon with the assumption that since I was a an educated musician I would know what he was talking about! [tears] Thank goodness I paid attention in that class!

Quote: Original post by bronxbomber92
When I was referring to tech schools, I meant schools like Digipen (but not so prestigious).

Yeah, I would suggest staying away from schools like that. While people will higher you if you do go to one, it is not as well of a chance if you graduated from a 4 year university. That is unless you graduate from a prestigious one in your specific feild (such as Digipen). If nothing more you'll find you'll get a more rounded education and have more options if you decide you don't like a feild of study from a 4 year college.

Quote: Original post by bronxbomber92 Do you mean they require that coming out of highschool, or is required to take those classes when in college? If you mean in highschool (which I think you do) then all of that is required at my highschool, except 3 years of math and only 1 year of foreign languages (but almost everyone takes 2 years, and I'm taking it for 5, so I'm set for that).

You got it right. Most colleges requires those courses to be taught to you at the high school level. Each one varies of course but generally if you take the amount of courses I said it will cover most colleges. I suggest by your Junior year looking into the colleges you want to go to and see what they require so your senior year you can take it.