Stuck again on classes for senior year. Adv journalism or AP class?

[youngsterat16]

I’ll probably end up mentioning all this here anyways, but I’m going to start with a link from a previous thread if anyone wants more background information/ responses from other people >>> forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=1040292

I have had difficulties deciding if I should take this journalism class or not.

I took into last semester and… i liked it. It wasn’t my favorite and it has stressed me. there were times I didn’t enjoy it either. I really don’t know if i want to and/or should take it or not. It puts me on the newspaper staff- that’s basically what it is. Thing is, I cannot fit it without taking something out.

I have 16 classes (year long courses are considered a class per semester). I am taking a total of 10 classes: 4 year long, 6 semester classes, two open blocks (same as study halls). My current plan before i explain the journalism situation:

*carpentry
advanced carpentry
*AP calc
*AP stats
AP govt.
psychology
AP psych
*Honors Spanish IV
*AP physics
research methods
2 open blocks (1 per semester) *

** * Year-long courses**

The reason I am taking the open blocks is so a.) I can have time to work on homework and hopefully be less stressed to get everything done; b.) to ensure that i fit my carpentry classes in because those I really want to take and are my only fun electives. I would love to be able to possibly do stuff with it in the future as a hobby or other.

Now i have been flip flopping on whether I want to take this journalism class. I didn’t think i did very well in the class but apparently my teacher did. She mailed me a letter with her thoughts on my work and invite me to be on newspaper staff next year. Taking this would provide strong academics and an extracurricular which I don’t have many of that I enjoy.

I wasn’t going to before I saw she recommended me to take it. (in all honesty i thought she didn’t like me). I procrastinatd some in that class. but we wouldn’t have as many different types of assignments this year and we’d have more freedom. I had already signed up for schedules online but we have conferences with our homeroom teachers this upcoming week to double check and such. And today I found the letter she sent me buried in our mail bin.

I don’t want to fill those open blocks because i know I won’t get my carpentry classes in for sure. I’d have to take out one of my AP courses. I have reasons for taking the other classes that aren’t core. If I take out a class, it’d either be ap physics or stats. If I were to choose one of the other on preference, I’d rather take out the physics. but i figure it looks better to take a science class this year. I believe it counts for more credit hours anyways or something for the school I’m looking at. Stats looksmore appealing for my interest but thats two math classes and no science and I;m not sure how bad that will look.

**So my question is A: Do you think it’d be ok/a good idea/ an opportunity to take this journalism and be on newspaper staff even though I lose an AP course? B: If so, should I take out stats vs. physics? (that I have an idea on the answer but I will ask.)
**

Thanks for all your advice in advance! Thank you so much for reading this!

 

[meltzerboy]

Have you talked it over with your school guidance counselor? That may be a good place to start. It’s hard for any of us to say; but, on the surface, it appears you think you should take the journalism class mainly because your teacher thinks you are good in it. I don’t think this is the best reason for taking a class, especially since you say that it, at times, stressed you and you didn’t always like it. Do you have a particular interest in journalism based on the class you already took? You also mention the class as an extracurricular activity. Is the latter an essential requirement in your school or do you think it looks good on a college application? Do you already have other extracurricular activities?

On the other hand, a lot of AP classes can be draining unless you have sufficient time and commitment toward working hard in all of them. Still, I would go with the other courses rather than the journalism class, but first I would talk it over with my guidance counselor, school psychologist, and parents.

 

[youngsterat16]

Have you talked it over with your school guidance counselor? That may be a good place to start. It’s hard for any of us to say; but, on the surface, it appears you think you should take the journalism class mainly because your teacher thinks you are good in it. I don’t think this is the best reason for taking a class, especially since you say that it, at times, stressed you and you didn’t always like it. Do you have a particular interest in journalism based on the class you already took? You also mention the class as an extracurricular activity. Is the latter an essential requirement in your school or do you think it looks good on a college application? Do you already have other extracurricular activities?

On the other hand, a lot of AP classes can be draining unless you have sufficient time and commitment toward working hard in all of them. Still, I would go with the other courses rather than the journalism class, but first I would talk it over with my guidance counselor, school psychologist, and parents.

what i mean is, it is an actual yearlong class but it’s newspaper. If you want to be on newspaper, thats the class you are in. it’s essentially a newspaper class. It requires some outside work but what you work on in class is what goes towards the newspaper. I

i only do art club. I’ve tried others but i just did not enjoy them at all. I also work and i used to teach myself ASL last year but I’ve been busy with homework this year I haven’t had much time or motivation.

 

[meltzerboy]

what i mean is, it is an actual yearlong class but it’s newspaper. If you want to be on newspaper, thats the class you are in. it’s essentially a newspaper class. It requires some outside work but what you work on in class is what goes towards the newspaper. I

i only do art club. I’ve tried others but i just did not enjoy them at all. I also work and i used to teach myself ASL last year but I’ve been busy with homework this year I haven’t had much time or motivation.

Maybe journalism would be more of a diversion for you from the more intense science and math classes. In that case, it might be a good substitute for either physics or statistics. But if you feel you can handle all these AP classes and you don’t need journalism as an extracurricular class, I would not take it.

Have you already talked with friends, parents, teachers, guidance counselors about this?

 

[pianistclare]

I would take the class that guarantees more of a chance at an “A”.
there’s much competition for scholarships and placement. .
Many universities make you take the AP classes over anyway.

Straight A’s in my state get you free tuition at a State University.

Plus, colleges look closely at your extracurriculars.

 

[Hoosier_Daddy]

I would take the class that guarantees more of a chance at an “A”.
there’s much competition for scholarships and placement. .
Many universities make you take the AP classes over anyway.

Straight A’s in my state get you free tuition at a State University.

Plus, colleges look closely at your extracurriculars.

Yes, plus senior year classes don’t matter as much as junior year as many colleges accept or deny before you graduate.

 

[1ke]

You can take carpentry and woodworking through community continuing education or a technical college any time in the future. I don’t see carpentry having a place in a competitive college admissions process. Journalism, yes.

 

[Irishmom2]

I think it all has to do with what you are planning on majoring in when you go to college.

I know you are trying to fix your schedule but even without the carpentry and journalism classes, your schedule is impressive enough for senior year. Most seniors do not take what you will be taking.

So here is my unusual take on your schedule. Unless you are going for a degree in journalism, the journalism class is less useful than the carpentry. You can use any carpentry skills you gain in your own life. House repairs, building a bookcase etc. But journalism? “When I was your age” we took homemaking if you were a girl and wood shop, metal shop or auto shop in high school. The skills learned were useable for life.

 

[youngsterat16]

You can take carpentry and woodworking through community continuing education or a technical college any time in the future.

i suppose. I did think on that. But I’m not sure if I can handle all of those academics without some class to relieve myself. I’m not trying to be too picky. I already had a hard time moving and getting rid of other classes. I wanted to do an advance pottery but I ended up taking it out.

i just really would rather not. I enjoyed it a lot freshman year and I haven’t been able to fit it in with my schedule at all. I’ve looked into a community college and they do have it, but I’m not positive it’s something that I want to invest in yet. And it’d be easier to learn skills now and apply them later on.
’
I also don’t really want to take 5 ap classes and a journalism class. I know colleges like APs and extracurriculars, but I’m not sure if I can handle all of that.

If I had to, yes then i would. But i really don’t want to get rid of them both. maybe the advanced carpentry but i would still have the issue present. Or i could get rid of a block but I may want that for homework.

and who knows, carpentry may become an extracurricular if I enjoy it that much. I think there is some sort of club-like program at my school. If I could take out classes I’ve taken previously I would. there are two that I took sophmore year that I’d be fine if i never took them. one was for a requirement but I didn;t realize I’d be interested in psychology which fills that requirement.

I just really wish I could decide. I didn’t hate journalism that much that I’m dead set on avoiding it. (obviously since I’m asking for advice) I didn’t always love it either… I’ve talked a little bit with my mom. But ultimately she’s saying I don’t have to if I don’t want to but that it is my decision. I’d be interested in writing an article and seeing my name on the fresh-printed newspaper. but like I said, it was stressful.

but I wouldn’t mind taking the ap clases either. You can see how much of a tossle I’m in. thank you guys so much for your (name removed by moderator)ut though, it helps

 

[youngsterat16]

I think it all has to do with what you are planning on majoring in when you go to college.

I know you are trying to fix your schedule but even without the carpentry and journalism classes, your schedule is impressive enough for senior year. Most seniors do not take what you will be taking.

So here is my unusual take on your schedule. Unless you are going for a degree in journalism, the journalism class is less useful than the carpentry. You can use any carpentry skills you gain in your own life. House repairs, building a bookcase etc. But journalism? “When I was your age” we took homemaking if you were a girl and wood shop, metal shop or auto shop in high school. The skills learned were useable for life.

Nope. I’m planning on ASL interpreting. I guess to put it, maye i don’t want the class but the extracurricular activity bonus points it comes with. I took a journalism last semester and I’m currently in a creative writing which fits my likings much better. I’m interesting in taking up some writing in college. No way am I reporting. am a people person, but not a social person

I wish I had found some other clubs or activities that I enjoyed. I tried drama andd I enjoy the shows and took 3 drama classes, (the one this year was to practice facial skills and acting and all that for if I do proceed in ASL career), but I just never really seemed to fit in. It didn’tclick. I have love and hate relationships and I get stressed with it. But I think i hate it more than I like it.

I’m not a sporty person. The closest I’d try out for is maybe soccer but liek i said, not that sporty. i tried spanish club which was fun at first, but most of it was just going on field trips to museums or authentic mexican restaurants. I would have liked if it taught me more about the language and culture and such. I just feell like the club is more of a history lesson or something.

i tried lit magazine which is sort of creative writing I believe. I did it once but I couldn’t get myself to go again. I’m not usually that judgemental of a person, but the people inthe club just made me really uncomfortable. They did nothing and they don’t do drugs or anything, they don’t look mean. But just being in the club once and how they acted and everything just made me really want to get out of there as soon as possible.

I could go on, but you get my point. I just haven’t found anything to be passionate about except art club. but we don’t mett that often. I’m gonna talk with the teacher about that and change it for next year.

enough of my novella of an explanation. i did not intend for it to be that long

Thanks for that insight.

 

[youngsterat16]

all of the above said, I’m still not positive yet. but you make good points and advice for me to ponder on. I am still open for more advice as awell. Thank you all so much for putting the time to read this and respond

this question wont decide but it may help, its a branch off of my main question: would I be better off with an AP course which could boost my GPA, or taking up on an extracurricular that I may enjoy or may hate. i’m more wanting to do it to have the extracurriclar thatn the class and experience itself.

 

[EasterJoy]

Decisive: How to Make Better Choices in Life and Work
Chip & Dan Heath

Frequently at libraries…

 

[youngsterat16]

I haven’t talked to counselors about it. I probably should. But i have talked to my friends about it and my parents but they all basically say the same thing:it’s up to me.

You all have said stuff that helped me feel ease with whatever decision I make. I’m not sure still but I’ve got more perspective.

 

[1ke]

I haven’t talked to counselors about it. I probably should. But i have talked to my friends about it and my parents but they all basically say the same thing:it’s up to me.

You all have said stuff that helped me feel ease with whatever decision I make. I’m not sure still but I’ve got more perspective.

In addition to your high school counselor, you can also talk to the academic advisor at one or more of the colleges you are applying to. Specifically the academic advisor of whatever ASL program you want to get into. They can tell you what is most important from their perspective.

Since you are in Nebraska, contact U of N, Omaha, their college of Education has a sign language interpreting program. Also University of Iowa has a program. Those are near you.

 

[EasterJoy]

I haven’t talked to counselors about it. I probably should. But i have talked to my friends about it and my parents but they all basically say the same thing:it’s up to me.

You all have said stuff that helped me feel ease with whatever decision I make. I’m not sure still but I’ve got more perspective.

The difference is that a counselor or college advisor may be able to help you with more specific information on what the trade-offs are.

Broadening the way you look at a question such as this can actually help you to escape from decision-making paralysis. I’d really suggest looking into the book title I cited, Decisive. It has decision-making strategies such as avoiding couching decisions as confined either-or/up-down matters that could be of help to you.

But yes, professional life coaches or writers such as the Coveys might suggest you back up to asking yourself not simply “how does this fit in with my goals?” but backing up even further to “how did I get this goals, are they realistic, and from scratch what are the three most likely ways to achieve them?”

One of the things decision-making researchers will tell you is that except in situations when you are working from a great deal of experience, practice, and in-grained principles of decision-making, do not decide based on your gut feeling alone. Listen to it, but do not listen to your gut only. The reason is that in a new situation a person’s gut hasn’t been through this situation anything like enough times to have a good idea of what things are really worth desiring and which are really worth fearing.

 

[Miss_Felicity]

I’d take the Journalism. The ability to write well, quickly (and meet deadlines) will serve you well in most fields you go into. Even if you go into a field where you work with your hands, most often there will be some degree of paperwork or reports.

 

[youngsterat16]

I’d take the Journalism. The ability to write well, quickly (and meet deadlines) will serve you well in most fields you go into. Even if you go into a field where you work with your hands, most often there will be some degree of paperwork or reports.

thanks for that (name removed by moderator)ut. I don’t think I would need it to help with writing and such. Perhaps but I’m alrady taking research methods which is writing college like 30 page papers. I think that will cover me in that department.

I still don’t feel sure, and I am interested in the book or article that you suggested easterjoy, although I don’t have much time to get that and read it for this situation.

I’ve contemplated over a lot of what you all said. In all honesty, it makes me real uncomfortable to have to talk to people about stuff like you would with reporting. I like creative writing, I don’t mind essays, but it’s hard for me with journalism since I really can’t put any voice in it unless it’s opinion. My one article that I wrote about unified bowling, she really loved. I went to one of their tournaments, but I kept putting it off because i’m people shy. And I knew going to thta would make me real uncomfortable. I hardly talked to anyone about anything, but I took notes on what I saw and heard. That’s basically how I got my quotes which I probably couldn’t ever actually do for journaling.