B in Diff Eq Honors or A in Non-Honors?

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The discussion centers around the decision to take an honors Differential Equations course, which offers a deeper understanding of the material but presents a risk of lower grades due to challenging tests and time constraints. The individual expresses concern about their slower problem-solving speed, which affects performance under timed conditions, despite having a grasp of the content. With aspirations for a math PhD, the importance of maintaining a strong GPA is emphasized, leading to the dilemma of potentially sacrificing a higher grade for a richer academic experience. The individual reflects on a previous attempt at the course, where they earned a B, and worries that a repeat performance in honors could negatively impact their academic record. The conversation highlights the balance between pursuing rigorous coursework for intellectual growth and the practical implications of grades on future academic opportunities.
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Should I take Diff Eq honors which goes deeper and broader into the material and obviously has harder test problems and risk getting a B or C or take regular where I will probably get an A?

What sucks is given enough time I can eventually figure out the hard honors problems but since tests have time constraints, I usually run out of time. My problem is I work too slow, not that I don't know the material.

Advice?Edit: My goal is a math PhD program, and I hear math GPA is the most important thing for admission so...
 
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If you know you you will get an A, take that course and go deeper and broader on your own. If your goal is to get a math phd, you shouldn't need any motivation other than curiosity.

Of course one could argue you certainly don't know you will get an A.
 
Any more advice? I need to decide ASAP!

Another reason why I'm wary about taking honors is because I've already taken Diff Eq once (long ago in a 5-week summer session where I didn't learn anything) and made a B, so if I take it again and make a B or a C, I feel like it will look horrible even if it is in honors.

:(
 

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