Hector Sanchez and Ibrahim Abuafieh, both 14, were finally given the opportunityto pick challenging classes, such as Honors or AP (Advanced Placement). Weeks later, ina Monday email interview, they spoke about their variant experiences.

“I felt smart enough to do them, not knowing the reality that was about to come,” said Sanchez, responding to the question of the reason behind taking the classes.

He is currently taking three honors courses.

“I feel like they are helping me learn how to work on a very busy schedule,” said Abuafieh, another freshman with the same number of classes as Sanchez, seemingly optimistic about dealing with honors classes.

While being an honors student is an achievement that is applauding and something to be proud of, the stress that carries with the classes is something that will impact even the most ambitious and ready-to-learn students.

A few weeks prior to the interview, Hector has been stressed and exhausted about dealing with these classes.

“It’s also taken time from me going to the gym which I’ve been really wanting to focus on lately,” said Sanchez.

When asked the question about if they would ever pursue these classes into a majoring degree or college class going forward, Hector immediately declined, saying it was “definitely not a choice” for him.

“I want to pursue my life in other directions which has virtually no relations whatsoever to these classes,” he said.

Abuafieh, took the offer of pursuing a future based off these classes.

“They will help me learn how to deal with an even busier schedule for when I leave high school and go to college,” said the freshman.

Most honors classes are teacher-designed, and you indulge into more deeper and in-depth topics.

Dealing with honors classes is beneficial but difficult. It helps you boost a GPA score, find more prestige college offers, but students are obligated to live up to higher academic expectations and demand.

“Overall, taking more challenging classes such as AP, honors, and concurrent enrollment courses come with benefits as well as inconveniences,” says the Tri- Color Times, hometown newspaper of Granger High School in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Some students know how to properly manage stress and other aspects of honors classes, some are worse off and need extra help, further showing the differential experiences of honors classes.

“Please know what you’re getting yourself into before taking them,” said Sanchez.

“It will get better if you just focus and do your homework,” said Abuafieh.