My oldest daughter came home the other day with high school registration paperwork. In approximately two weeks she will be officially choosing her freshman year classes… and forever setting in motion the rest of her future. Dramatic? Maybe. But in reality, it’s the truth.
When I was in high school, I had little flexibility in selecting the classes I took. We had the basics: math, english, science and history. We had to do 2 years of a foreign language (I took Spanish) and of course P.E. (we just called it GYM). We also had art & music (I played the flute… don’t laugh). I was heavily involved with business classes because I really couldn’t figure out what else I wanted to do.
I don’t remember choosing my classes as being such a big deal. As long as we took the basics, we’d get into college for sure. I applied to 5 schools… got into all of them. Granted, none of them were Ivy League schools, but I wasn’t interested in that anyway. I got into my 1st choice and that’s all that mattered to me.
Today, it’s just different. Even getting into State schools is difficult. The requirements are so much greater than way back in 1983 (damn, that was a loooooong time ago). Today, honors and AP classes are a must if you want to boost your overall GPA up enough to even be considered by colleges and universities. That’s a scary thing for an incoming freshman: having to decide between taking honors and AP classes or just your basic classes. A whole lot of scary.
Scary for Mom and Dad too. We want our kids to do the best they can, but we also don’t want them overloaded with academics. Our daughter wants to play a sport… so how does that fit into the grand scheme of things? Will she have enough time to do homework? Will she miss out if she takes an easier load? Will she be stressed and stretched if she takes harder classes?
Deep breaths. I know she’ll be fine. No matter what she does, she’ll make it through high school, graduate with good grades and get into a great college. This I know. I also know that she is super smart and has a good head on her shoulders. She’ll do as much (or as little) as she needs to.
That paperwork is staring me down. It’s trying to get the best of me. It might be working. Because I’m not ready to fill it out. High school is a beginning for her… and ending for me. I’m not ready to let her go just yet.
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
Does she have to take honors classes her freshman year? I know some people took Honors Bio but AP classes didn’t come into play for me until junior year, for the most part. Graduated in 2005 so my 10 year reunion is coming up soon :-/.
She doesn’t have to take honors classes, but they are offered. She has straight A’s in junior high so I’m not sure what her counselor will advise her to take.
I agree with you, theres way too much pressure put on young people nowadays! I was homeschooled & felt I could do it all, but alas, I was burnt out by the time I graduated & didn’t even go to college til afew years after. I hope Temara (Is that your oldest??) & you guys find the best plan for you all!!
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I didn’t realize you were homeschooled, Mary. I certainly don’t want Temera to get burned out, but I also don’t want her to miss opportunities. It’s so hard to decide what is right for her to take/not take.
You had me hyperventilating as you were telling me all about her classes yesterday. I can only begin to imagine how much it truly affects you as her mama!
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You always want to do what is best for your kids, but as they get older that line gets blurred a lot. It’s hard to know what to do sometimes.
I was involved in so much in high school, I took college prep classes (at my school it was “regular,” CP or AP) and skipped APs. I was afraid I’d drown. I was in drama, newspaper, student council, youth group… And actually, in hindsight, I wish I’d maybe put one AP in there but I don’t really regret it. I got to do everything I wanted to, went to some really good schools with a 3.7 GPA and have a lot of terrific memories.
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The sport will look great on college applications- they want you well rounded.
Freshman year may set the course but junior year is most important. Good luck to both of you!
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