I am junior this year.

I plan to take the AP Cal exam. My US History also suggests me to take the AP US History. However, since it's my first year studying US History ( I am an exchange student), I haven't grasp every event in US History. Thus, I am afraid of getting good score on the test. On the other hand, 2 AP tests will be too expensive for me. Furthermore, I will be a repeat junior next year so I will have a chance to take it. WHat should I do ? SHould I wait for next year or do it this year ?

Another problem is Prom. I think it will be a good experience. We don't have prom in my country so it will be my first time. However, it will cost a lot. Should I spend money for Prom or for AP History ?

Generally, I am in the middle of a mess now. I feel so stressful and deadlock. I have so many things to think about. I have to think whether or not I should take AP US History. I have to think about whether or not I should go to Prom. I have to think where am I going to school next year,... I also have to think how to spend money efficiently. What to spend money on: AP exams or prom.

Everything is messing up my mind now. On one side, I am thinking about schoolwork like science fair, AP Cal,.... On the other side, I am thinking about prom. The result is I have been doing not so well at school, last quarter I got only 95 in US History (actually the last 2 quarters) and a 98.6 GPA for the year. I feel that I am getting lazy now. At some points, I was afraid to take AP Cal AB exam because I thought I was not good enough ( I have a 99 average in the class). I haven't done so well on AP Cal tests in class recently. I made dumb mistakes, score like 95,96 on tests. I even went to Pre cal, Trig now to improve but when I do their tests, I even score worse like 75 on a test in Pre Cal. I feel that I am so bad at math.

I am afraid that going to prom with a date will change my image in teacher's and friend's eyes. They will no longer think that I am a studious and good student. They will probably think that:" Ah ! Now, he starts thinking about playing, partying prom. Actually, he is not really studious."

I need a suggestion. I don't know what to do now. I don't want to ruin my first school year in the US.

What should I do ?

First of all i want to commend you on all of your hard work. You obviously have a great future ahead of you!

Anyway, both of these really have there pros and cons. It really depends on if you think that you can handle that AP history class. Do you think that you can pass it? Because if you ended up failing then you probably wasted money that you could have spent on prom tickets. I'm curious why they make you buy your classes this early in the year. Do you have a few months until you have to pay? If so, why not do both? You could use your money now to go to the prom, and get a job to save up some money over this summer. This way you get it all.

About how your teachers would look at you; I don't think that they would see you as any less studious because you attended your high school prom. It's a big event and honestly they probably expect you to. I'm sure that they would be happy to see you getting out and taking a well deserved night of fun. Do you have a date to this prom? As long as you keep things modest, I don't see them judging you for this either. Everyone deserves fun! From the sound of it, it's about time that you got out!

What I would like to do now is take some time to outline the pros and cons of each situation. (This is assuming it really is just one or the other.)

Firstly, I am taking normal US History class. However, the teacher suggests me to take the AP test this May, which is in about 3 weeks. That's why they make me pay the fe by April 24th. It's my first year taking US History seriously since I am an international student and it's my first year in the US. Thus, I am not sure I can totally cover everything in order to do the test well.

Should I wait until next year when I will be a repeat junior to take the AP Class and the AP exam ?

Secondly, about the prom, Yes, I have got a date to the prom ( It has been the most difficult task in my life. It's also my first time asking a girl out ). Everything has changed from the day I the idea about going to prom coming up. At first, I did not want to go. Then, I thought that It would be a good experience of a school year in the US. Thus, I decided to go. I first got the tuxedo then asked a girl out to prom ( I was so shy so I just dropped a note into her locker, not confident enough to ask her face to face. Anyway, she accepted). Recently, I have always thought about prom and my date. I think about it every time, everywhere. I ask myself: what should I do to please her, what should I talk with her about, how can I start a conversation with her, should I ask her out to movies,.... Those questions are always on my head. And for the first time in my life, I have a CRUSH on a girl ( I am serious). However, my score at school has not been as good as before. My US history average for the year is 96 and all subjects average is about 98.6 now.

What should I do ? Do you think I am falling into my first love ? If so, should I move on to my first relationship ? How should I balance between school and my relationship ?