Should I switch out of AP calc?

Pre-College Topics High School Life
1

I am a senior and I just finished my first week of AP Calc. It was terrible, terrible, terrible. Our first lecture and I did not know what was going on at all. I stayed after with a friend and when I still didn’t understand I went to talk to the teacher. In all my previous HS math classes I have understood all the material and would sometimes actually enjoy doing math and not to mention I would always grab an A and very rarely sometimes a B. I do not feel very confident in myself with calculus especially since it is AP (and the teacher always reminds us it’s going to get harder and that this is ''nothing").

I have read multiple forums regarding this same question but they usually all just say “it really depends on your major” … Well my friends it may come as a surprise but I have absolutely no idea what I want to major in. Seriously none like don’t even bother asking me what kind of things I like??? I can’t differentiate what I like, tolerate, or was told to like (by my parents telling me to be a doctor like the moment I first blinked).

I guess my question isn’t really if I should switch out but if not taking AP Calc is gonna really really lessen my chances of getting into college (for example UCLA).

2

Even if you don’t know what you want to major in, you’re probably going to have to take some calculus. Are you in AB or BC?

3

I’m assuming you’re on limits. Go on Khan academy or go on Youtube and watch patrickJMT’s videos.

4

If you did well in the prerequisite classes, you can probably do well in this class. However, in many cases you can’t learn the material for a college-level class just by listening to the lectures. You will need to read the relevant sections of the book, often multiple times, and do exercises beyond what is required for homework. This is normal and not necessarily a sign that you’re behind.

5

What is the other choice if you drop this class?

6

It is AP Calc AB. Other options would be CIS algebra and AP stats or just no math since I have my necessary credits. I am mostly worried about doing bad in that class and receiving a bad gpa (last year I maintained around 4.5-4.7)

7

If you’re doing limits right now, I personally thought that was one of the hardest parts of calc because it involved some complex algebra. It might actually get easier depending on your strengths.