High Life : A WEEKLY FORUM FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS : What Class Drives You the Craziest?

The algebra teacher says, “If you have any questions at all, even the most basic in nature, don’t be afraid to raise your hand and ask them. You know, for every one hand that goes up, there are probably 10 others with the same question.”

You want to raise your hand and ask, “What relationship does algebra have with real life and why am I in this class?” But you don’t, though there may be 30 others with the same questions.

Hot Topics wonders, “What’s your hardest class?”

“Biology, because there’s so much to do in so little time.” Michelle Huicochea, 15, sophomore, Loara

“French, because (my teacher) teaches it like a college class instead of a high school class.” Nicole Espriu, 15, sophomore, Cypress

“Honors physics, because it is complex and mechanical, and I have a hard time applying the concepts to problems.” Eden Garisek, 15, sophomore, Fullerton

“English is hardest for me because I hate to read and we write a lot.” Claudia Baltazar, 16, junior, Orange

“History, because I hate it.” Amy Lu, 17, junior, Ocean View

“Trigonometry, because I have no clue and I don’t understand what I’ll use it for later.” Erica Feild, 17, senior, University

“Advanced Placement economics, because I’ve never done anything like it before.” Jennifer Yannone, 17, senior, Loara

“Chemistry, because I have no idea what I’m doing.” John Amaya, 17, junior, Cypress

“U.S. government, because the teacher does not like anyone except football players.” Ian Fasack, 17, senior, Fullerton

“A.P. Physics, because the teacher asks a lot of you in homework and on the tests. There are too many expectations to be responsible for.” Alman Mirhadi, 17, senior, Newport Harbor

“My math class is hard because I don’t like to think with numbers.” Alex Martinez, 16, junior, Orange

“I’m getting my worst grade in A.P. calculus; therefore, it must be my hardest class.” Gary Grossman, 17, senior, University

“History, because there is so much work.” Tricia Lindquist, 16, junior, Ocean View

“English, because there is a lot of writing involved, and I don’t have the tools to accomplish this expected type of writing.” John Doan, 15, sophomore, Ocean View

“Government, because my teacher is not too responsive. But he knows what he is doing, so I respect him.” Bryant M. Jackson, 17, senior, Loara

“International Baccalaureate History, because you literally have to memorize chapters in the book to even come close to passing the quizzes.” Dennis Fredenberg, 17, junior, Fullerton

“Algebra II, because the concepts are hard to learn and the teacher goes fast.” Kathy Nguyen, 15, sophomore, Orange

“A.P. English, because it is the one class that takes the most thinking and because it’s hard to catch all the symbolism.” Marlo Jean Harris, 17, senior, University

“Physics, because I don’t understand anything in it.” Liz Choe, 17, junior, Loara

“Math, because it’s complicated.” Michelle Kimura, 14, freshman, Cypress

“Physiology, because there is so much to memorize.” Laura Hansen, 17, senior, Orange

“Geometry, because I hate it.” Heidi Hsu, 16, sophomore, Ocean View

“A.P. English, because of the quote tests that can really destroy your grade, especially if you haven’t read the book.” Dennis Hong, 17, senior, University

“A.P. economics, because I have absolutely no previous exposure to the political workings of the economy.” John Hotea, 17, senior, Loara

“Chemistry, because I do not understand the concept of it.” Amy Karle, 17, senior, Cypress

“Calculus, because it’s just so easy to make a mistake.” Stacy Dang, 17, senior, Ocean View

“Spanish, because I guess I got lost a while ago, and now I’m playing catch-up with the concepts.” Mike Boomsma, 15, sophomore, Loara

Next Week’s Hot Topic: What’s the most creative way somebody has asked you out on a date?