AP Students' Advice on Studying

Student studying very hard (the light level is not suitable for the eyes). Image from Unsplash by Victor Sutty.

Contrary to common belief, the month of May doesn’t only bring about spring’s full bloom and cherry blossoms. For many students at Bellevue, May means the nearing of AP exams and the subsequent month of studying and rigorous preparation. Known for being college-aligned classes, AP classes often challenge students more than honors classes, with their culminating test an ultimate indicator of a student’s mastery of the subject. As AP season nears its end, it is valuable for both AP and non-AP students to see what methods people are using to succeed at the AP level.  

At the base level, AP students always organize their goals.

“I always create a to-do list of what I want to accomplish when I study. It really helps me gather my thoughts before I go straight into studying,” said sophomore Logan Wong.  

Most AP students like Wong prioritize the initial preparation before diving into the work. It makes sense; preparation is key to avoiding overwhelming yourself and to keep track of your studying. Notably, some AP students go further with keeping track.

“I set a timer for 30 minutes. If I get distracted, I pause the timer, making sure that I actually spent the 30 minutes doing work,” said junior Katelyn Wong, who is taking six AP classes this year.

Many AP students highly recommend this strategy. Often, students set a one-hour timer but immediately get off-task, making the amount of time they worked more like 40 minutes rather than the hour they imagined.

Tracking time worked and organizing tasks can prove to be highly effective in ensuring effort. But another important question remains: how do AP students manage the countless amounts of coursework they receive?

“I try to not think about the amount of homework I have. I just focus on what I have ahead of me,” said junior Jimin Baek.

Baek has taken upon four AP classes this year, which has certainly taken a toll on his free time. However, Baek often describes the rigorous effect of APs doesn’t have to be that bad.

“If I were studying, I would view each thing as their own piece. It makes it a lot less overwhelming. Instead of thinking about the whole, focus on the one assignment you’re doing,” Baek furthered.

Even for non-AP students, it’s worthwhile to try these studying methods – they’re tried and true and worth a shot for people worrying about a big test or how to start studying.