Late one school night, a student is hard at work, cramming to get as much as she can studied and finished. It has been a grueling month, and her classes have started to take a toll on her. With Lady Gaga blasting and ice cream at her side, she struggles to calm down he unquiet mind and wonders if it was worth all the struggle — dropping lunch, dropping study hall, and nights like these.

This is the night for AP student senior Eileen Zheng, and it’s not an uncommon night for her.

Zheng currently takes six AP classes, but in total has taken 11 throughout her time in high school. With plenty of experience, she has had her fair share of stress dealing with so many classes. “For me, it got really stressful trying to juggle multiple AP classes, working 2 jobs, and playing sports/extracurriculars. It also gets overwhelming when I have multiple AP tests in one day, trying to keep up with the rigorous workload, and being behind when I don’t understand something,” she said.

Many students know AP classes to be stressful. As an AP teacher, social science assistant division chair Sean Sterner’s acknowledges this stress, but also feels that it is not for nothing.

“I do think generally students are often pushed harder in AP classes, and not just with homework,” he said. “In class, students are held to a high standard and need to meet that standard in order to be successful when it comes to AP test time … I think all students struggle at one time or another, and that is not necessarily a bad thing. I know, personally, my struggles have helped shape me into the person I am today. I often emphasize how it’s important for students not to be afraid to make a mistake, but rather take risks and have the mindset that mistakes are part of the learning process.”

Despite all of the stress the classes may bring to her, Zheng finds them to be very beneficial at the end of the day. “I take AP classes to earn college credit, and to academically challenge myself. I think putting yourself out there and pushing yourself to do more/better is a good way to grow, not only as a student but as a person,” she said. “The environment in AP classes is also a lot different from regular classes because you’re surrounded by people that are more willing to put in the effort and want to push themselves … And I can save a lot of money which is a big plus.”

Sterner also shares the sentiment that AP classes are beneficial, but also acknowledges the importance of the other classes provided at MCHS. “I am a believer that every class matters, and although I am an advocate for AP courses — I know for a fact that our honors and regular level courses bring a lot of value to our students,” he said. “The big difference between honors and AP courses is the AP test at the end of the year.  Passing that test allows students to earn college credits which will be beneficial as they move forward in their educational career.”

With the work and pressure to do well in AP classes, Zheng shares on how to decompress, and why it’s important. “I often find myself caught up in a lot of things and forget to take a break and breathe. I find it really beneficial to put all the homework to the side for a while and not think about it,” she said. “I like to get up and walk around the house, get a snack, and check my phone … plug in headphones and just listen to some music to decompress. 

“Sometimes, I even take mini power naps and have fun dance parties by myself,” she added. “It’s all about knowing your limits and making sure you’re taking care of your body. Mental and physical health should always be above AP classes. I have a lot of friends in AP and we make sure to keep each other in check and that were doing okay. It’s good to have a balance…so it doesn’t get too overwhelming.”

In the end, Zheng and Sterner believes that AP classes can be very beneficial and worthwhile, though it’s important to take breaks before you get overwhelmed. However, Zheng believes that the school should not push AP classes onto the students.

“Yes, it is a great opportunity to earn college credit, but you shouldn’t feel obligated to take them,” she said. “It all depends on the students and not how many students can be persuaded into taking these classes.” 

She does believe that these courses are not for everyone, and should be taken from a passion for the subject, not from being forced. However, if students are up for the challenge or are interested in the benefits it can provide, then more AP classes may be something to consider.