You’ve just picked up your schedule and next to each class is a bold, uppercase “H.” That means you’re in for a challenge: honors classes. Teachers and upperclassmen may have already warned you about the steep transition from middle school and the heavy workload ahead. But what’s it actually like?
As two freshmen currently enrolled in all honors classes, we’ve experienced the reality of the honors track firsthand. From daily routines and study habits to the actual coursework, we’re here to give you an honest, insider’s look at what to expect at Tenafly High School.
World Literature Honors with Ms. Urbaez, Difficulty: 3/5
World Literature is not your average language arts class… but rather a voyage through various countries across all the different continents. One moment, you’re walking the war-torn streets of post-Apartheid Africa, and the next, you’re navigating the tangled loyalties of two star-crossed lovers. This class throws you into the minds of philosophers, rebels, lovers, and outcasts from every corner of the globe. Be prepared to annotate like your life depends on it, debate characters’ moral choices, and emerge as a more well-educated and slightly more dramatic version of yourself.
OUR TIPS: Quizzes in this class are usually straightforward—but only if you’ve actually read the book. A single read-through is usually enough to get by, but don’t fall into the SparkNotes trap. While those summaries can be a lifesaver to review key characters and symbolism before your next essay, they often miss the juicy little details that end up on quizzes. Essays in Ms. Urbaez’s class are never a surprise because everything leading up to them is meticulously planned. Even if she doesn’t hand you the exact prompt, the path to it is practically lit up with neon signs. For example, if she announces an upcoming timed essay on Romeo and Juliet and then devotes the week to acting out mock trials featuring the protagonists and creating character posters, you can bet the essay will be on character analysis. It’s like academic foreshadowing. If you’re paying attention, you’ll always see it coming.
RATING: World Lit. Honors earns a 3/5 difficulty rating not because it’s easy, but because it rewards effort more than raw genius. If you actually read the books (yes, actually), the quizzes won’t ambush you. As for the essays, though timed, they come with enough clues from class to feel like solving a mystery with half the answers already in your notebook.
Biology Honors with Mr. Angus, Difficulty: 3.5/5
If you enjoyed 7th grade science, get ready to level up. Biology 1 Honors is a fast-paced, fascinating deep dive into the living world. From the origins of life to ecosystems, this class covers it all. You’ll be hands-on with engaging labs involving everything from microscopes to enzyme reactions—even beans. Mr. Angus’s door is always open, and his clear, structured slideshows are lifelines throughout the year. Be warned: this is a note-heavy class. Whether you prefer handwriting or typing, you’ll be doing plenty of both.
OUR TIPS: This is not the class to cram for the night before a test. There’s a ton of content—cells, enzymes, genetics, you name it—so take your notes with a grain of salt and review them weekly. Trust us, your future self will thank you. Make flashcards or diagrams as you go, especially for vocab-heavy units. Labs are super helpful (and their concepts often show up on tests), so stay focused during them.
RATING: Biology Honors earns its 3.5/5 difficulty rating because the pace is fairly fast, and the amount of content can be overwhelming if you don’t stay on top of it—but if you do, this class should be a joyride. Consistent effort will surely be rewarded, and with Mr. Angus’s help, Biology becomes one of the most fascinating and eye-opening honors classes of freshman year.
African and Asian Studies Honors with Ms. Diaz, Difficulty: 4/5
Your social studies teacher has definitely warned you about this treacherous course, otherwise known as African and Asian Studies. I vividly remember being told we would have three-question quizzes every day and a huge workload. The reality is, it’s not terrible at all! Throughout the year, we voyage from early Mesopotamia and early settlements in the Middle East, take a stop in Africa, and finish off strong with China, Japan, and Korea. Every day is filled with notes, but Ms. Diaz manages to bring life into every historical figure we meet on the way, leaving us with a comprehensive narrative of Africa and Asia’s great leaders. The class is test-heavy, but BBQs (Blue Book Quizzes) certainly aren’t everyday occurrences—and with Ms. Diaz, many of them are open-note! While the course may seem intimidating at first, African and Asian Studies with Ms. Diaz turns out to be both a dynamic and enriching journey through history. Challenging, yes, but entirely manageable with the right mindset and a good set of notes.
OUR TIPS: Taking advantage of online materials is the key to a good test score. Ms. Diaz shares lots of information outside of the simple presentation—a majority of which will make a reappearance on your exam. Go to the extra help sessions, particularly if you haven’t fully grasped a topic or just want a review before the test. Additionally, make a comprehensive timeline (especially for the China unit, where it seems as if there is a rise and fall of a dynasty every two seconds) for the best results.
RATING: African and Asian Studies earns a 4/5 difficulty because of its fast-paced lectures and content-heavy units that require strong, consistent note-taking. While BBQs and some quizzes are open-note, you’ll only benefit if your notes are detailed and organized.
So, is the honors track tough? Absolutely. But is it worth it? A hundred times yes. From the intensity of Ms. Diaz’s historical deep dives to the literary journeys in World Lit and the microscope explorations in Biology, each class pushes you to grow in different ways. If you’re someone who’s up for the challenge, you’ll come out of freshman year not just smarter, but more confident, too. That said, we know these aren’t the only honors classes on your radar. If you’re still wondering about a class that wasn’t mentioned here, don’t worry—we’ve got more to share. And trust us—the courses in the next section ramp things up even more, with higher difficulty ratings and even better tips. Head over to “Your High School Starter Pack: Honors Classes, Honest Advice (Part 2)” to keep reading.
