Is it better to get an A in ‘regular’ class or B in an AP Class?

Welcome to a brand new season of Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You! We’ve been thinking about how we can make the SYTWTY Podcast more relevant and valuable to parents, which is why, in season two, we’re taking a look at our FAQs. Today, we attempt to answer an age-old question that we commonly receive from parents and students alike: is it better to get an A in a ‘regular’ class or a B in an AP/Honors class? The TL;DR answer may seem obvious (objectively, AP classes are better), but there are a number of factors that you need to evaluate when it comes to course selection, the college admissions process, and how it can impact a student’s self-worth. Tune in today as we give this FAQ the nuanced consideration it deserves!

 

Key Points From This Episode:

 

• [0:01:35] An introduction to today’s FAQ: Is it better to get a B in AP or an A in regular?
• [0:02:05] False premises that make this a difficult question to answer.
• [0:04:00] Important considerations when it comes to college admissions.
• [0:06:13] Course selection tips for students to make the most of their schedules.
• [0:08:55] Uncomfortable realities in highly competitive environments.
• [0:10:35] A follow-up FAQ from parents: how do I know if my kid can handle it?
• [0:12:30] Advice for trialing a more rigorous schedule.
• [0:13:44] Why personalized decisions need to be made for each student.
• [0:16:38] When parents take the process too personally.
• [0:21:25] Putting your child’s health and well-being first.
• [0:21:50] Opportunities to discuss values and self-worth with your child.
• [0:23:05] Why it’s important to celebrate diverse strengths.
• [0:27:16] Benefits of choosing the most rigorous curriculum a student can handle.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

 

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