School stuff

I know that high school isn't supposed to be easy, but it also isn't supposed to be impossible. I did fine freshman year, A's & high B's like usual. With sophomore year, it's a bit harder than I had anticipated; I got an A, a C, and 2 D's first semester. It's passing in the eyes of grading but B- is failing to me. I'm in all AP core classes, I always have been since they've been offered and I don't want to shift into regular grade-level classes. I feel as though it won't do me any good applying to Stanford, Harvard, etc. (hard universities to get in, typically). Second semester started once we got back from Christmas break (January 7th). Again, with AP classes, it's going to be hard; it's expected. Although, I'm doing worse in the classes that should be the easier of the bunch. English class. Well, we were required to remember Jabberwocky (poem) for an assignment and to recite it for a grade. I couldn't remember it at all, only the first two lines of the first stanza. I got a zero in the gradebook and still had a B. Now, we're required to remember another poem of our choice from a certain site the teacher referred us to. I've been trying to remember my poem for a week and I can't even remember the first line and it's due Monday.

After my dad got done yelling at me today, I talked to my mom. I've been telling her about how stressed and worried I've been about school and how the classes have taken a toll on me. Well, after the first semester, she said she thinks I have a learning "disability" because I cannot retain almost anything even if I study. That word doesn't seem like it should be for me. In AP World History, I learn the stuff but I can't remember anything unless I see it on paper with multiple choice (aka a quiz/test) and I learn a lot slower than the entire class (every core class I've had). I got a 72 on a quiz the first week to see where the class stood or whatever and everyone else got 90+.

I honestly feel stupid and that I won't get anywhere in life with the way that things are going. My mom wants to take me to a doctor but kids get misdiagnosed with ADHD, ADD, and stuff like that all too often. I don't want a fucking diagnostic.

I don't even know the point of this post, I guess I just needed to get my thinking straight and have it jotted down somewhere.

 

Maybe you haven't discovered what way of studying works for you yet? I know my first few years of highschool were a breeze and I got A's and B's but when I went on at a higher level it was a big shock because I'd never had to study before. I tried to pass the first year exams by just reading over notes like te previous exams but I came out with a B, 2 C's and a fail. I had a meeting over it because I was well under my predictions and my year head went over some different studying techniques with me, and that made it stick. Particularly maths for me - I could do it all as we went over it in class but when I saw an exam question I couldn't associate it with what method to use.

Try speaking the poem over and over, without stopping. That's how I memorise essays. Or try a picture diagram or listen to someone else speak it on Youtube and put it on your iPod like you would learn lyrics. Just try experimenting with different techniques ^_^

 

It's possible you have a learning disability, but rather doubtful if you're in all core AP's. That schedule is miserable and most people can't even manage 1 AP class.

You may not be able to remember things simply due to the stress that you're currently experiencing. Explain your situation to your teacher, and if you can only memorize something on paper; well than put it on paper. Memorize it by reading a line, cover it up, reciting it, repeating until you got it.

If you do indeed believe you have a learning-disability, you should talk to the guidance department about getting tested for one, and then possibly being placed on an IEP forum.

Colleges would rather see you take AP course(s) in the course(s) you're interested in, and have you do well in the other normal courses than look at c's and d's on a transcript. Also, grades aren't all that affect your admission into colleges, clubs (and other social events) have a great impact on your admissions.

Lastly, I don't know what your school requirements are for an AP Scholars but I believe it's only 6 AP classes in 4 years. At your current rate you'd have at least 12 so I'd check up on that.

 

I'm from Central Europe and so I have no clue at all about how the AP system work, or even what is about. In my country everyone is enrolled to unviersities based on their graduation exam results; We have standard and higher tier.

About the other things you posted; If you are learning a poem and having hard time remembering, I suggest you say it aloud over and over again, and make sure you clear your head completely before starting to study; If you are thinking about anything else (such as school based stress or such) it is nearly impossible to learn effectively.

For some time I also thought I had ADD and stuff like that, but I later realised I just simply didn't give a fuck about my studied. I'm graduating this year, I'm straight Bs and Cs (only the exam counts for me, cause I'm taking another enrollment option from the regular in my country, where only the exam results are accounted). You just have to set your mind to it, let go of all the stress, forget everything else, and concentrate on what you're trying to study.

Don't feel stupid, I'm sure you aren't. Anyhow, everyone has a phase in their life, where they are struggling with studies, for whatever reason. Try to get your head together, and most importantly don't worry about the future and don't stress yourself; It won't help.

 

There are multiple ways to learn, I would try making up songs, things that rhyme together but the main thing is you can't compare yourself to other people, You have to learn at a pace that's good for you and that's it. You can't give up on yourself ether.