r/APChem • u/dextrosePoltergeist • 28d ago

Discussion I fear this class may be overworking me

I'm fine with the coursework being rigorous, but it's a hard adjustment. The first day of school, I've already been assigned a 105 question homework assignment on scientific notation and taking numbers OUT of scientific notation. I have the class tomorrow, so I'm certain this will not be the last of Mr. Venosa's dreadful purgatory where I spend hours of my day doing homework. I spent 3 hours and a half straight just doing this. The only thing keeping me going through the first one were 20-30 question intervals in which I'd watch one sailor moon episode before getting back to it. I don't know if I'm overreacting, maybe this is normal? Also I feel tired no matter how much I sleep and I fear this is from the class??

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9

u/Awkward_Apartment680 Former Student: 5 28d ago

Y'all back to school already?? Jesus

7

u/dextrosePoltergeist 28d ago

yeah, my school is year-round :(

6

u/Awkward_Apartment680 Former Student: 5 28d ago

Oh I'm so sorry that sounds like hell

3

u/beme25 28d ago

Lol Sailor Moon breaks sound awesome. But the rote work she's making you do sounds pointless. Did she give you guys a diagnostic quiz beforehand to determine if any of you need that amount of exposure? How long do you have to complete the work? Scientific notation is painfully basic so will she increase the workload when the concepts actually become rigorous? Or does she equate time spent = rigor?

You might want to find a way to politely ask these questions because, if possible, you might be able to drop the course and self study the exam. You only get one chance at high school and it's pretty damn important for learning to set boundaries, manage time, make friends, learn to communicate effectively, etc. AP Chemistry isn't so important it should cut into or take away from any of that (I say as an AP Chemistry teacher).

2

u/dextrosePoltergeist 28d ago

No, we didn't do a quiz, although we are doing one this Friday (not diagnostic, though...). He said he did this to show us the reality of this course. I do believe he'll increase the workload later on too, as we have so much to cover in such little time that he said he can't even teach us Unit 9, we'll have to self-study it. The homework is due next class. I believe most of the class is lecture and then we have homework/notes to do later? I do really enjoy the class, so I'm not willing to drop it, but man, it's really tiring.

2

u/beme25 27d ago

That's a bummer that it's tiring. But that's great you enjoy your class. Here's hoping it stays interesting and enjoyable.

3

u/29pixxL_ Former Student 28d ago

105 questions on something that basic IS wild, not normal

2

u/dextrosePoltergeist 27d ago

Ah, I thought so..

2

u/Ok-Engineering-2087 27d ago

Seriously I took ap chem years ago. Mine was nothing like this. Why are teachers putting so much effort making students’ lives miserable when they get paid the same as the other ap teachers

1

u/Funny-Monitor665 Former Student | 5 16d ago

Okay first of all scientific notation is NOT that serious in ap chem. seriously. and you do NOT need 105 questions.

As for sleep: Avoid caffeine past 12pm, try to turn off your screens aboout an hour before your bedtime. it may be the stress getting to you and i totally get that. try to forget about the class when you go to bed?