Navigating AP Classes as a Junior: Strategies for Success

Hi everyone! I'm going to be a junior in high school this year, and I'm taking five Advanced Placement (AP) classes: AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP Engineering, AP U.S. History, and AP Psychology. Please leave any advice you have for me. Try to learn something you find valuable and don't take the AP test if you don't want to.

Time Management: The Key to Success

Time management is crucial, and while it seems like a simple concept, it can make all the difference. In just one AP course, you'll be bombarded with a lot of material to study, along with a significant amount of homework. Taking on three AP courses at once means it's definitely going to be a lot of work, but it is doable. Once classes begin, make a schedule of what you are going to study and when you're going to study. I recommend studying every day for your AP courses. To do well in AP, you don't have to be the smartest person or have a photographic memory. However, you do need to develop good time management skills and a growth mindset. Don't be discouraged by setbacks or failures—keep trying.

a dream does not become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination, and hard work.

~ Colin Powell, former U.S. Defense Secretary

Dealing with Multiple AP Classes

Taking three AP classes as a freshman can seem daunting. It can be done, but being well-organized and committed to doing well is a necessity. Here are my tips based on my experience of finishing four AP courses in one year:

Take Them Sequentially

My first suggestion is not to take three AP courses together if possible. Try taking two each year if you have the time. I saw my classmates who had three courses and ended up preparing for any two. If there is no possible way to drop the third one, here are some steps you can follow:

Be Organized: Do not procrastinate! Keep up with your homework and take good notes for everything you learn. The daily videos provided in the AP Classroom are brilliant if at any time you feel like your teacher lacks some important information. Switch to those videos and take notes. Review: It might seem silly, but this is how our brains work through spaced repetition. Check out this link for more information: Spaced Repetition: How To Remember Everything You Learn. Buy or Find a Review Study Guide: After completing a unit in class, buy or find a review study guide. Many free study guides are available on websites like Fiveable. Practice Regularly: After reviewing the material, take one piece of paper and jot down all the points without looking at your notes. After checking your summary sheet, add the missing information. Review these summary sheets after each month. If it is a subject in which you have to solve quantitative problems, revise summary sheets in 15 minutes and then use the rest of the 45 minutes to practice questions gradually starting with time limits. Use Princeton Review Books: Once the unit is completed in your class, if you follow these steps, you'll have everything on your fingertips as soon as the syllabus is completed. If you get a Princeton Review book, there will be five to six practice papers, start solving them using the time limit. Review and Memorize: After finishing them, review your answers, correct your mistakes, and memorize the right answers.

Remember, AP subjects require hell lot of determination and consistency. Be careful with that.

Conclusion

By following these strategies and staying committed, you can successfully navigate AP classes as a junior. If you have any other advice or tips, feel free to share in the comments below. Good luck, and happy studying!

Keywords: AP Classes, Time Management, Study Tips