Is it just me, or is anyone else feeling frustrated with their high school English class?
I’m in 9th grade and currently taking English Honors, but honestly, it’s incredibly easy. I could count the number of assignments on both hands! I was definitely more challenged in 7th and 8th grade English back in middle school. To make matters worse, two classmates of mine have already failed the first semester and dropped down to College Prep (CP). Yes, that’s right—College Prep! How do you even fail an English class at that level?
Before anyone judges me for being in an “easy” English class, let me clarify that this is standard across other Honors classes as well. I can only imagine how bland things must be in CP. What’s really frustrating is that the teacher spends about 70% of the class reading a novel, then gives us an overly simplistic summary of the chapter. There’s hardly any analysis! It feels like I’m the one doing all the analytical work because I feel compelled to make sense of it all.
I genuinely believe the teacher isn’t preparing us well for evaluations because over half the class didn’t pass the final exam. I’m ashamed to admit I was one of them, but it’s hard to learn anything when we aren’t taught anything meaningful. While a third of the class might have gotten A’s, many of them are still struggling. I can’t stand this class! If there were a better option, I would switch in a heartbeat!
It sounds like you’re really frustrated with your English Honors class, and it’s understandable to feel that way when the coursework doesn’t seem to meet your expectations or challenge you intellectually. It’s disheartening when you feel like you’re not being pushed to think critically or engage deeply with the material.
It’s also concerning to hear that so many students are struggling—you’re definitely not alone in feeling like the teaching style isn’t effective. Have you talked to your teacher about your concerns? Sometimes expressing your feelings can help, and they might be able to adjust the way they teach or provide additional resources to help everyone understand the material better.
If it continues to be unsatisfactory, you might consider discussing it with a school counselor or an academic advisor. They could provide you with options or even advocate for changes in how the class is run. It’s great that you want to engage more deeply with literature, and hopefully, you can find a way to have a more fulfilling experience in your classes moving forward. Hang in there!