Listen Up

Discontent with Nothing

Last week, my AP and IB exams finally concluded.  Although the end did bring us much relief, it did not make us any happier.  In fact, many in my class have grown restless.  Maybe it’s because we are frustrated to be stuck inside during while the weather is so beautiful or maybe we have spent too much together, but everyone lately has been snippy; we’re constantly at one another’s throats. 

            It feels now as if we have no purpose.  Since our tests are over, classes seem to lose their significance.  We just seem to be doing activities to pass the time.  I know some believe that we should study for the joy of learning, which is noble.  However, it’s quite difficult to adjust from working towards a test to working for the love of the subject.  Additionally, when grades have so much bearing upon our futures, it’s very difficult for us to truly be passionate about what we’re learning.   

             As much as we hate to admit it, we cannot stand just performing various tasks without a reason or doing nothing at all.  Perhaps because during the year (by year, I mean before our AP and IB tests) we were all working for a common objective, we were able to be civil.   

APs and IBs

            The sun is glistening, it’s finally warm, yet many of my friends are greatly stressing.  Of course, the seniors I have class with aren’t (or at least shouldn’t be), but for my fellow juniors, AP and IB (International Baccalaureate) testing is an extremely trying time.  It’s astonishing how the material we studied for months all comes down to a matter of hours. 

            But can this mere number, a single digit, we receive as a score truly state whether we have mastered a supposedly college-level course?  These tests only take into account what we know, rather than how we learned it.  From the impressions of college I’ve obtained so far, it seems that the latter is far more significant.

            In today’s competitive admissions environment, AP courses are a catch 22.  Many take them because others take them, thereby creating a vicious cycle.  Challenging courses are selected not because of passion for the subject, but because they would look good on a transcript.  As great as it would be to truly focus on the areas on loves, no one wants to risk their chance at a prestigious school.