FRISCO, TEXAS ー Even in their first year at Centennial, many ambitious freshmen decide to challenge themselves with college-level coursework by taking AP Human Geography (HGAP).
This course is a social studies class that focuses on how humans organize space, environments, and societies. This class is one of the only Advanced Placement (AP) classes that are offered to freshmen by default, other than AP Computer Science Principles.
It is often considered an “easy” AP class because it is not as demanding as other APs. For this reason, many freshmen jump in thinking this class will be an easy way to boost their GPA. However, many students also take this class because the topics interest them.
“I took HGAP this year because I want to learn about why people are where they are and how they moved,” freshman Riya Shrimali said, “I also wanted to expand my knowledge more about social studies and life beyond the United States.”
Although HGAP is less rigorous, it still demands work and effort from its students.
“We start a new assignment each period, and if you don’t do it that day, you’re done,” freshman Hannah Elliot said, commenting about the fast-paced environment of the class and the struggle for students to keep up.
If students are unable to keep up with the course load, they are allowed to drop out of advanced or AP classes in the first six weeks of school. When a student drops out of HGAP, they first must fill out a drop form, then they will be placed in its on-level counterpart, World Geography. This is something many students have considered.
Despite the challenges, taking HGAP does offer many benefits. This course is often seen as an introduction to AP-level classes, which helps students prepare for harder classes. In HGAP, the workload teaches students time management and accountability, which is essential for future AP classes.
Freshman Ella Min mentioned, “It’s a good start because you’re going to take more.”
Enrolling in AP Human Geography, challenges students with college-level coursework and rigor, but also provides them benefits such as preparations for future AP classes and a variety of topics to take interest in. If you are interested in learning about or taking AP classes, check out Frisco ISD’s information page on Advanced Placement.
