Welcome back! We’re Claire and Emma—two Tenafly High School freshmen who’ve braved the world of honors classes and are here to give you the inside scoop. In Part 1, we covered the truth behind World Literature Honors, Biology Honors, and African and Asian Studies Honors, sharing the tips, surprises, and honest advice we wish we’d known from the start.
In this second half, we’re shifting gears to explore some of the most concept-heavy and fast-paced courses on your freshman schedule. These classes ask you to think more critically, manage your time more carefully, and bring a whole new level of focus to your day-to-day routine. Whether you’re math-minded, science-curious, or just trying to prepare yourself for what’s ahead, we’ve got you covered.
Algebra 2/Trigonometry Honors with Ms. Toale and Ms. Barker, Difficulty: 4/5
Think Algebra 1 was tough? That was just the opening act. Now comes the second part—and trust me, this isn’t one of those flops where the sequel is way worse than the original. You’ll want popcorn for this one (and your calculator) because Algebra 2/Trig Honors brings all the drama, twists, and brain-bending plots you didn’t see coming. The first half of the year is Algebra 2’s big moment in the spotlight; you’ll be taken on a journey of quadratics, polynomials, rational expressions, and exponential functions that never seem to end. And just as you think you’ve conquered all there is to understand, then enters Trigonometry, where math swaps out simple numbers for degrees, radians, and enough Greek letters to start its own sorority chapter. The unit circle will undoubtedly become your new best friend (or worst enemy), and you’ll tell yourself that “All Students Take Calculus” enough times to manifest a recommendation into PITCH.
OUR TIPS: Here’s the golden rule—never zone out in Algebra 2/Trig. Concepts build on each other like a Jenga tower, and if you forget what you learned in one unit, the next few will feel like a foreign language. Whatever you do, don’t treat a quiz or test like the finish line—those topics will absolutely come back later, and you’ll regret not keeping them fresh. So keep reviewing even after the grade is in, because in this class, nothing ever truly disappears. Additionally, you’ll quickly realize that your graphing calculator isn’t just a tool—it’s your sidekick. Learn every button, menu, and function early on because getting comfortable with it takes time.
RATING: Algebra 2/Trig Honors gets a 4/5 on the difficulty scale because, unlike other classes, surface-level memorization won’t cut it. You have to understand the material to survive. If you cram just to pass a test, that knowledge will vanish as soon as you turn it in, and when the same concept comes back weeks later, you’ll be completely lost. Long-term memory only sticks when you take time to actually grasp the “why” behind the math, not just memorize its steps.
Physical Science Honors with Mr. Berman, Difficulty: 5/5
Physical science is where math meets science. In this class, you’ll be using countless formulas. But don’t worry, they’ll be provided on the tests. When learning the concepts, he presents it on the TV screen, so make sure you’re paying close attention! If the concepts in this class seem familiar, it’s likely because a majority of them are from sixth grade. There’s at least one lab and a write-up based on conclusion questions every week. At the end of the year, Bunsen burners are a true favorite among the classes, as they learn properties of matter through concepts like distillation, filtration, and more. Though it can be fast-paced, physical science is a hands-on, engaging class that reinforces familiar concepts with new depth.
OUR TIPS: There’s no shortcut. You have to keep solving problems over and over until the process is automatic. You should be so familiar with the formulas and how to apply them that you could work through a problem even if someone woke you up at 3 a.m. Keep in mind that in Mr. Berman’s class, it doesn’t just matter if you got the answer right. He is the type of grader who makes it clear that the details and your process matters just as much as arriving at the correct solution. Always, always round your answers to the correct number of significant figures, and don’t forget to write the formula you are using before you plug in your numbers. Skip either of those, and you’ll lose points no matter how right your answer is. For word problems, he expects the given values to be clearly listed before you begin to solve, so label everything properly.
RATING: Physical Science Honors comes out to a 5/5 on the difficulty scale due to the combination of rigorous testing, high expectations for precision, and the sheer volume of problem-solving. You’re expected not only to understand formulas, but to use them correctly every single time. Even small mistakes can cost you valuable points. Add to that weekly labs with write-ups, new concepts coming in fast, and the need for constant practice to stay afloat, you’ve got one of the most demanding freshman courses on your schedule.
Take one last look at your schedule. Hopefully, it feels a little less intimidating now. Maybe some classes even spark excitement! Whether it’s through detailed note-taking, solving polynomials, diving into Socratic Seminars, or tackling BBQs, freshman year’s honors classes are full of challenges, growth, and moments that might just surprise you in the best way. With a solid work ethic and a positive attitude, your next year will fly by in a breeze.
