Advanced Placement classes can bolster a high school transcript and improve one’s chances of being accepted into competitive college programs. They’re also good preparation for the rigors of college workloads. Some colleges will let you use a high score from an AP test to place out of entry-level courses.

But is it worth taking an AP course if you don’t know that you’ll get a good grade? Do honors courses carry less weight than AP courses? Because honors courses are usually considered less rigorous than AP courses, you should take an AP class if you think you can get an A or B. But if you think you may get a C+ or lower, you should probably stay in the standard level or honors course.

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As you might be learning, high school and college are not the same. The demands, class schedules, teacher relationships and self-discipline are all completely different, and really for the better.

The same can be said about honors courses in college, versus those you took in high school. Advanced placement, honors courses and even IB classes are all great ways to prepare yourself for college, add some impressive bullets to your college application and broaden your academic horizons as a teen. However, in college, they can sometimes be an unnecessary burden, or can make college an even richer experience – it simply depends on your goals, major and time availability.

A few things to consider before enrolling in college honors courses: Read the rest of this entry »