Ap Classes Advantages

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Advanced Placement (AP) classes are spreading and teen suicide rates are increasing. This is not a mere coincidence, as AP classes are major contributors to depression and anxiety in adolescents. Yes, these classes are important, but are letter grades more important than the younger generation’s sanity? Do the benefits of taking AP classes outweigh the mental toll it takes on students? An article written by Chris Berube stated, “Behavioral studies at the time posited that young minds weren’t developed enough to handle so much information.” When questioning the mental capacity of today’s youth, one must observe how these courses, over a period of about three decades, have become more rigorous, lacked in quality, virtually unobtainable …show more content…
AP courses only accept students with high credentials, meaning these students came from advanced or gifted classes. When one is in such a class during middle or elementary school, their egos easily rise, along with the pressure being put on their backs. Often times, a teacher will comment that the student is “gifted,” and is expected to know how to handle tough situations. As soon as gifted kids are met with a challenge, they do not know how to handle it. They are always being taught that they should never make mistakes, but are never prepared for when they do make mistakes. They are left thinking they are not able to handle certain classes after just one slip up (Amy Brecount …show more content…
High schools located in Arlington, Falls Chirhc, and McLean are usually unfair in the sense that they require students to take three to five AP classes a year, Amy Brecount White mentions. Woodson High School in Fairfax County, with similar policies, experience five student suicides in two years. Each student was in advanced classes, and from the looks of it, those classes were too much. Suicide is the third highest leading cause of death in teenagers (Scootye J Cash). Suicide rates everywhere are increasing as well. With the disconnection between parents and children, it is difficult for an adult to recognize the symptoms of depression. Teenagers normally express symptoms of depression in a behavioral way, but adults are more inclined to search for physical changes that may indicate the presence of a mental illness (R. Harrington). For example, a common symptom of depression is the feeling of hopelessness and apathy. This can cause teenagers to sleep for longer periods of time because there is “no point in being awake.” Parents are often quick to blame the sudden change in sleep schedule on the teenager’s “laziness.” Yet, if a child begins to self-mutilate, such as burning or cutting the skin, parents are able to detect these signs much faster. Even then, some parents criticize or neglect these traits, making the situation worse. As depression, anxiety, or borderline personality disorder worsens,
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