Dropping my AP class

[Kaitlyn Quach]

Last year my teacher said that AP Comparative Government was basically a class where we learned about the different governments of the world and how they are structured. I chose to take it because I though it would help me create more accurate and logical governments in my fantasy world, Ellse. 

However, as I discovered, it wasn't simply that. My new AP Comparative teacher, who is extremely passionate and tough, expects us to know already about current events all over the world and be able to compare them. Also, she gives at least two hours of homework a night. I have three other AP classes and my commute is 2 hours, so I doubt I can handle that much of a workload. More importantly, I have a very sensitive mind.  I have tried in the past to get involved in current events, but the amount of pain and suffering I read about eventually becomes overwhelming. I feel awful because here I am, cushioned in my American middle-class lifestyle, unable to help people who need it most. In fact, this is one the main causes of my withdrawal into Ellse --- there are still conflicts there, but not at the rate where millions are dying from war and the environment is being destroyed rapidly. 

I've decided that I need to transfer out of that class not only because the workload is too much (and I would have to spend more time away from Ellse, which would make me depressed), but also because I care about my mental health. World History class was always my favorite, but that's only because we're learning about the pain and suffering of the past (it doesn't affect me as much because most of it is already over). It’s a different story when I learn about the pain and suffering that's still going on. Some people might say that it’s important to keep up with current events, but I just can’t do it. Does anyone else feel this way?

[Kaitlyn Quach]

Thanks for the support, Hannah! I actually ended up staying in the class because my school let in too many freshmen so the scheduling computer is seriously glitching, and I didn't want to risk screwing up my schedule. Right now I've managed to get 100s on my first few assignments, but at the same time I get about 6 hours of sleep per night and I'm incredibly exhausted. :/

[Hannah]

I can relate to your struggles in an AP class. I'm taking my first AP class this year (AP European History--yikes!). I have my first big test in a few days, and when I feel myself slipping into my daydreams I have to force myself out, knowing that I will get distracted and waste time I could be using to study. Like you, this makes me sad, because my daydreams are a source of comfort away from the things that make me anxious and stressed, like this test. I'm hoping I don't have to transfer out at semester because of my class' workload (I also get multiple hours of homework every night and it sucks). Best of luck with your academics and MD!