What is the hardest class at Galileo? For some, the answer is AP U.S History, a class that has earned that reputation due to the intense time consuming workload and demanding grading. Typically the class is taught by Ms. Tang, who has taught the class on and off for 10 years.
Students taking the class have confirmed that the class is difficult and demanding. APush student Adam B. said, “It’s challenging. We have only a few days to complete hours of work; I feel like we should get more time,” while Miles E. adds, “It’s a difficult class balancing the workload with other life engagements can be hard.”
Ms. Tang knows many students have this opinion about the class but believes students should have that understanding heading into the class. She says, “It’s [the reputation is] because I have high standards, like many teachers at Galileo. I demand and ask for a lot. AP is meant to be a challenging college level class taught in high school with extra support and for some students going from a High School to a college level class can be difficult. I think that’s where part of the reputation comes from.”
The class provides a rough estimate of 8 hours of work outside of class per week making it a real simulation of a college class. According to students in the class, an average week of APush can look vastly different. Students who procrastinate will endure long nights of outlining chapters to complete work on time, while students who are diligent and committed have about an hour of work a day, Monday through Sunday.“People who take this class should either enjoy US History or want to challenge themselves at a college level,” says Miles.
With all of this work students have to do each week, Ms. Tang knows that they will be tired, but it can all pay off for them in the end. “[Towards the end of the year] Exhaustion sets in, everyone seems to just need a break in terms of APUSH. I see that April is a painful month but it’s when a lot of things we’re trying to do click; all the groundwork we laid clicks before the AP Exam. Its a time where we see the pay off”
In addition to not only being able to do well on the AP exam, Ms. Tang believes all the work students do in APush will pay off in the long run as well. She says, “I hope they get a sense of what it’s like to be in a college level class; the time management, the work ethic, and the study skills. I hope they can apply this to all their other classes to be successful in other classes and eventually college, ultimately the goal is to prepare for college.”
