Maintain rigorous course load

Overview

The courses you take matter just as much as the grades you earn. Colleges want to see that you're challenging yourself throughout high school.

What "Maintain" Means

• Don't drop challenging courses second semester
• Keep all AP/IB/Honors courses you started
• Continue engaging fully in your classes

If You're Struggling

Get tutoring rather than switching to an easier course. A B+ in AP often looks better than dropping the class.

After AP Registration

Teachers notice when students check out after registering for AP exams. Continue:

• Participating in class
• Completing assignments
• Preparing for finals

This affects both your grade AND your recommendation quality!

Encouraging Perspective

You chose challenging courses because you're capable of handling them. Trust yourself! It's normal for rigorous classes to feel hard sometimes.

The Payoff

Maintaining rigor shows colleges you're ready for challenging college coursework. You're building skills you'll actually use!