Some may say that an Advanced Placement (AP) class is too hard, and will only overload you with numerous homework assignments. They will continue to send your school nights into the early mornings of the next day and your weekends into 24 hour study sessions. AP classes are just too time consuming to be in when all you want to do is have fun, especially during senior year.

I say that they’re all wrong and that you’re just too lazy and terrified at the mere thought of pushing yourself to your full potential.

Not only does an AP class prepare you for the future, you will learn more in an AP class than in any other. It is true that an AP class will be more demanding than a regular class. And, you will probably find yourself studying your brains out for the big test, but no one says that it’s going to be easy. There is no doubt that a grueling class, where you have to earn your grade, will prepare you for college better than a cakewalk course where any limited amount of effort results in a B or A letter grade. Many students now only shoot for the bare minimum, and refuse to challenge themselves when it comes to academics.

Most AP classes require a placement test to get into the class. Being in a classful of intelligent students and interacting with them every day will unquestionably make you smarter as well because you’re only as intelligent as the people you’re around. You learn from those people around you, from the group discussions, the projects and the class work. The interaction with these people will leave an impression.

Although getting an A in a standard class is easier than getting an A in an AP class, that doesn’t mean that you’re learning the same amount or working as hard. I’ve been in a regular English class before and although you are learning a good amount of things, it cannot compare to an advanced placement class. Because AP classes are harder and are more demanding, in turn you learn good study habits, and you actually learn about the class topics and understand the content instead of just memorizing paragraph after paragraph of text. Memorizing ideas and formulas is insignificant when compared to the full understanding a school subject.

The fact that an AP class is more rigorous and focuses more on the actual knowledge of a class gives AP courses the advantage over standard courses.