Pounds of homework

with such little time

I think all this stress

is a real big crime.

English, Science and Math

These courses are rigorous,

but we have to take them serious.

These are the thoughts of students who are taking difficult classes.

If students find a certain class difficult, why do they even take it in the first place? Sophomore class president Amanda Echevarria said that since she has already taken three out of four math classes required in high school, she needed to take pre-calculus as a 10^th grader because it would fill in the last requirement needed.

Sophomore Reinaldo Cardenas, who’s taking AP Capstone Seminar, said, “I wanted to challenge myself academically.”

Sophomore Yhodelfy Duran, who takes honors biology, said, “I wanted to take a hard class not only to see if I’m able to do well, but also to show that I can balance my extra-curricular activities with it.”

Many students have different opinions on what makes a class so hard. Junior Lucia Martinez points to equations in algebra. “Memorizing has never been my skill,” she said. “I’m more of a visual learner and have to understand the information to let it stay in my head.”

“Keeping up with classwork and homework is the difficult part of the class because I have other classes as well,” says junior Jorge Cruz who’s taking Algebra 2.

Sophomore Pamela Cardoza, who’s taking AP Psychology, said, “The hardest part would have to be the notes. Not because it’s almost a whole chapter but because you have to take control to see what information is valuable that can benefit you.”

Students have faith that these hard classes will benefit them in the future. Junior Karina Castillo said that Algebra 2 does help with her future career because she wants to be a nurse and with nursing you have to give prescriptions and take certain amounts of blood.

Sophomore Rachel Valdes said, “Biology helps my future career as a CSI investigator. Biology has certain sections that deal with DNA and this pertains to my career.”

Junior Alexa Guadalupe, who’s taking Algebra 2, said that no matter what career you choose, math will always be involved in some way.

Some students, on the other hand, say that their difficult classes have nothing to do with their future careers. Junior Lorena Martinez, who’s taking Algebra 2, said that math doesn’t help with her future career to be a lawyer. Junior Ashley Diaz stated, “Chemistry doesn’t help my career because I want to be a physical therapist or work in public relations and marketing.”

The teachers who run these difficult classes know that the material is hard. Algebra 2 teacher Ms. Munguia stated, “The class is very fast-paced. We have to stick to the district pacing and take topic assessments by a certain day, leaving little time in class to review material.”

Ms. Pomareda, who teaches biology, said that she gives a lot of work and the work she gives makes her students think. “Most of what biology is made of is memorization,” she said. “The students need to study which is key to biology.”

Dr. Prieto, who teaches pre-calculus, said that students must have a good foundation from their previous math classes in order to do well in her class.

12^th grade counselor Ms. Blanco sees things a bit differently. She stated, “A class is as hard as you make it. Depending on how much effort you would want to put in your classes, it’ll determine how hard or easy it is for you.”