How to decide on which AP classes to take?

I'm currently a junior and I'll be selecting my courses for senior year soon. How do you guys choose your AP classes? Did you base your decisions on your interests, potential college major, or class difficulty? I'm a bit stressed about the decision.

First, it's normal to feel stressed about choosing AP courses, but remember, the goal is to find the balance between challenging yourself and enjoying your senior year.

When selecting AP classes, consider the following factors:

1. Interests and Passion: Choose classes that genuinely interest you or are related to your future field of study. If you're passionate about a subject, you'll be more likely to succeed and stay engaged throughout the year.

2. Strengths: Pick subjects where you have a strong foundation or have shown aptitude in the past. This will help in managing the coursework better and also boost your GPA during your senior year.

3. College Major: If you have a potential college major in mind, select AP classes that align with it. This helps in demonstrating your commitment and preparedness for the major. For instance, if you're planning to major in engineering, take AP Physics or AP Calculus.

4. College Requirements: Research the colleges you're interested in and see if they have any specific course requirements or recommendations. Taking AP courses that satisfy these requirements can be a good idea.

5. Class Difficulty: Evaluate the difficulty and workload of each class, keeping in mind your extracurricular activities and other commitments. You can ask teachers, school counselors, or other students for their insights into the respective AP courses.

6. Balance: Ensure that your schedule has a balance between academic rigor and personal well-being. It's essential not to overwhelm yourself with the number of classes or course load. Instead, aim for a manageable blend of challenging and enjoyable classes.

As you contemplate these factors, create a list of your top choices and discuss them with your school counselor, teachers, or parents to get diverse perspectives on your selections. Ultimately, consider your goals, aspirations, and limitations before finalizing your choices, and remember that your well-being should always come first. Good luck in your senior year!