The school year is coming to an end and Gallatin High School finishes its third year being open. Spring sports are wrapping up, the last issue of the Raptor Report is printed, and AP exams are finally over. Next year is a whole new round as new freshmen come in and we say goodbye to our seniors. With that, comes new classes, teachers, and expectations for the rest of us. For some, AP classes are on the agenda and many have no idea what to expect. College level classes can seem like a challenge none of us are ready for and are too overwhelming to attempt, however Shelby Tyler, a sophomore this year, has some great insight pertaining to these classes.

Tyler participates in Speech and Debate, Track, Cross Country, Partners Club, Science Olympiad, and HOSA. Topping it off with an AP combo class and AP Biology, Tyler has a heavy schedule and with that, great determination and effort are needed. Both of which Tyler exceeds at. She says, “I wanted to challenge myself and develop a deeper knowledge of subjects that interest me,” showing how choosing AP classes you are interested in can change the class from being a learning opportunity to an atrocious task. One of the most useful tasks according to Tyler is “how to manage time efficiently. It can be hard to balance classwork and life, but once you learn how to manage your time, you realize that you can achieve so much in such a short period of time!”

As most of us know, carving time out of our already busy schedule can be a stress factor we try to avoid with procrastination. Taking an AP class, or multiple in a year, will teach you that putting off work only makes the work that much harder later. However, it is not all work and no reward. Having a strong support system in your classes and making friends is a great helpful tool. As Tyler said, “You get to meet some really cool people that inspire you constantly and drive you to succeed.” Whether these people you meet are just someone to reach out to for notes or asking a question on a confusing topic, it is important to establish these relationships to get you through the year.

So how does the workload from an AP class compare to a normal one? For starters, AP classes are not for everyone. Even if you do not end up taking any college level classes, there are many ways to advance your education and experience while in high school. Visiting the College and Career Center helps many find programs and events to attend, and is a great way to find alternative routes around AP classes.

These classes can be a lot of stress for students, and students can struggle with finding a balance between school work and life.

Tyler gives some great advice as she states, “Do the reading and work outside of class, so you can spend class time asking questions and working on test taking skills.” Using class time efficiently is essential to managing a workload, as that is when teachers are most available to help out.

Furthermore, make sure you know what your teachers expect of you at the beginning of the year. This plays a huge role in how you find balance with your workload. Taking AP classes is not something to fret or stress about. While being mindful of your classes is important, it is not something you should be afraid of. Take on these challenges with an open mind and remember that it is going to be very difficult, but that is the point. You are smarter and tougher than you think. As Tyler puts it, “Our biggest challenges can turn into your best lessons!” So finish your school year strong and enjoy the summer. Good luck and have fun, we will see you next year, Raptors.