i plan to go to an art school; i'm currently a junior. i took an AP art history class to get extra credits. of course, i expected it to be hard but it's to the point where i gave up on it and i might drop it second semester. i'm scared it's going to affect my path to college. i feel like i'm not good at the only thing i love. what can i do?
You have to apologize, I’m not a strong one for a professional career advice or what might affect you when in your education (especially in the US (?) system), but I shall try anyway.
Art history is a very specific thing, certainly important general knowledge for a professional artist, but it only marginally affects your art skill (or defines your quality as an artist).
I’m fairly sure though that it’s not exactly necessary to have an art history class on your record before art school. Helpful maybe, but not necessary. Art school will have a art history class itself.
You shouldn’t pressure yourself into a class that stresses you out too much, especially when it’s just for extra credits. Focus on what is important for now, which is your main classes and for yourself, your own art.
i feel like i’m not good at the only thing i love.
That is a problem many artists face, believe me. The thing is: You have all your life to improve. You have all of your school time and college time to try and even afterwards. And the thing is: There will always be days when insecurity gets you. You will never be quite as good as you want, because your own expectations and imagination will be a few years ahead of your current skill.
But especially something marginal as art history shouldn’t mean you’re bad at art. Art history is its own thing. It’s important at it’s own and it’s important as an artist to know what has been done, where influences of modern art come from and where there is still room to work in. But your personal creativity and art skill is a different thing, a different story.
Most importantly: Don’t give up the thing you love doing. Worrying is natural and human, but don’t let that keep you from trying.
What you should do? That’s up to you, I can’t tell you. Keep giving your best, but for your own good, drop that class if it is too much stress for you to handle. There’s no good in breaking yourself before school is even finished.
