Two Weeks of APsolute Terror
- Valarie Alcala
- May 12, 2017
- 2 min read
Edited by Martha Kim
Our school year is quickly coming to an end. Soon we will be enjoying the hot summer sun and the freedom of not having to do homework or study for tests. But of course, we have yet another obstacle to overcome. For students who challenged themselves by taking an AP course, the time has come to prove themselves. AP testing has commenced, and it is sending a wave of emotion over many.
As a sophomore, I have many peers who are taking AP European History, including myself. The class itself has definitely been an experience that has left many of us wanting to yank our hair out and scream at the top of our lungs. Despite the hardship, we have survived it, and now we have to conquer the dreaded AP exam, which is a combination of stimulus based questions, short answers, and two essays.
Since it is my first time taking an AP exam, it is slightly terrifying, to say the least. Fellow Sophomore of Canyon High School, Zahra Nazary, says that the exam has her feeling stressed. In her own words, she is “worried about not finishing all parts [of the test in the time given.]” Another Sophomore of Canyon High School, Layma Khoram, says that the exam “gets her paranoid.” It is likely many other students who are testing find themselves feeling the exact same way. On the opposite side of the spectrum we have another 10th grader, Julian Milan, who says that the AP Euro exam “should not cause too much stress and anxiety, because we still have the rest of high school to worry about tests.” While this is somewhat true, the majority of students want to get at least a 3 on the test, which does bring on a lot of pressure.
In order to prepare for the test, which one could potentially earn college credit for, students study in a couple of different ways. Some teachers offer review sessions in the final weeks leading up to the test for students who want a final lecture on what they have learned throughout the year. Many students purchase review books that contain all the material that the class was composed of, along with practice sections. For those in an AP history class, a author by the name of Tom Richey is a hit. He provides videos and worksheets that are very useful and entertaining, and even puts together a study plan for those who are interested as using his content as a study tool.
Although these two weeks are bound to be a bit stressful, they will be over soon, and everything will be fine. Things will return to normal, and we’ll be a step closer to summer.
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