5 Tips for Succeeding in AP Classes

Taking AP classes can be amazing for your college applications, and depending on your test scores, might allow you to gain college credit for some subjects! However, this adds a lot of pressure to do well, and it’s no secret that these courses are full of rigorous, challenging work. It’s certainly possible to succeed in AP classes, though, with the right amount of effort.

Take a Lot of Notes

Always have a pen and paper out during your AP classes to write down as much important information as you can. Be sure your notes are neat, legible, and accurately reflect that day’s lesson. You may think you’ll remember what was discussed or you can just review the chapter later, but this leaves room to miss some key information. Taking notes allows you to keep a written record of the most important information that you’ll likely see again on a quiz, test, essay, or the AP exam at the end of the year. 

Study Regularly 

Even if you don’t have a test, you should always be looking over your notes, rereading chapters, and trying to absorb everything you’ve learned. This will keep all the information fresh in your mind and help you to more easily recall things you’ve gone over in class or read in your textbook. Being able to recall important information quickly is critical to doing well in the class and on the exam. You never know when you’ll be called on randomly to answer a question. Be prepared with an answer to show off your knowledge! 

Pay Attention in Class

Don’t doze off! Try as best you can to focus, pay close attention to the lesson, and stay awake taking notes. While everyone has bad days (it's understandable if you aren’t on top of your game each and every day), it’s still expected that you do your best. If it’s simply not possible for you to fully be present that day in class, see if a classmate can share their notes and help catch you up on what you missed. 

Ask for Help 

If you’re stuck, ask a peer or your teacher to assist you. AP classes are hard and there’s nothing wrong with admitting that. Don’t be afraid to ask others for help when it comes to better understanding the material. It’s so frustrating to not quite grasp a concept, especially when it seems like everyone around you is getting along just fine. If you don’t seek extra help or tutoring, you might fall behind. When you sit down with someone who is willing to take the time to help you learn, you give yourself the opportunity to slow down and understand things you may not have been able to comprehend before. This will improve your performance in the class and help you do better when you take the big test in the spring. 

Review, Review, Review

This is especially important at the end of the year. You should never stop reviewing your material for an AP class so that you can be sure the information is sticking in your brain, but when the day of the AP exam starts to creep up, it’s more important than ever to review as often as you can. Form a study group with your friends, acquire supplemental study books, or just sit down with your textbook and all your notes from the year and go over everything you’ve talked about in class. Different ways of review will work for different people, but whether you work better studying in a group, one-on-one, or by yourself, it’s important to make sure you’re doing as much as you can to prepare for the test. 

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