Life of an AP Student: Habits of a Successful Student 

Are you a freshman in high school seeking admission to Advanced Placement courses? Do you want to know what it’s like to be a successful AP student?

I’ll be the first to admit that high school is not a pleasant time. Your school years are filled with both coursework and homework. Remember that you have to compose your college essays in addition to studying for the SATs. And then, there is AP.

However, now and again, we come across students who successfully handle all this schoolwork. They work hard in their studies and get high test scores. They follow all secrets of the successful life of an ap student.

Let me spill their secrets to you.

Life of an AP student: 5 Habits You Must Adapt Now

Abide by these habits to ace your AP exams.

1. Wake Up Early

Getting up early provides several benefits.

Mornings are when you’re most effective because you have quiet time to yourself. Any work can be completed quickly when there are no interruptions.

Schedule your day ahead of time during this quiet and calm time of the day. Planning your day in your head before you begin improves your organizational abilities and boosts efficiency.

Starting a new topic or reviewing material you have already studied in your AP classes is a terrific idea to do in the mornings.

I advise you to start with the most challenging subject first thing in the morning because this is the time you feel most refreshed. Let’s say you chose to take AP Chemistry and AP Physics. As AP Physics is more challenging than AP Chemistry, you should study for it in the mornings. That will make it easier for you to understand the challenging AP Physics ideas.

2. Stay Organized

Keep track of handouts and notes from the first day of the AP course. Remember that you will take an aggregate test at the end of the year. Get a journal, notebook, or folder for every AP course you are enrolled in. Meticulously organize your notes.

Next, analyze the structure of the course. For instance, if you choose to study AP Biology, you must carefully review the curriculum and note how it is broken down into 8 units. Sort your handouts and notes into units based on how the course is organized.

This will be useful to you when you need to look up a topic or prepare for a unit test in class.

Start preparing for the AP exam from the beginning. Otherwise, the effort of memorizing all you’ve learned throughout the course will overburden you if you are not organized from start. Being organized is must for smooth life of an ap student.

Your notes are your best friend in your test preparation. Remember that you’ll still require those resources even when a chapter is finished. Don’t discard anything.

You can make notes on significant and tricky sections as you fully prepare for the AP exam.

3. Look For Additional Study Materials

Look at the review questions at the end of each chapter in your textbook. Do you see them? Try solving them as soon as you finish reading your chapters.

Solve as many practice examinations and questions as you are capable of. Look for questions framed by the College Board. This is the organization that handles conducting the AP exams throughout the country. Such mock questions will be identical to the ones that you will expect during your actual examination.

4. Utilize Various Study Techniques

AP test preparation is a challenging task.

But ask yourself: Do you study continuously, hoping that something will cling?

If so, are you worried that you won’t be able to memorize such a large amount of knowledge in such a short period?

High school students must master time management and thinking skills to retain knowledge. Cramming the night before your AP tests don’t work.

Several study methods, such as the SQ3R approach, the Feynman Technique, the Leitner System, etc., can assist you in preparing for not just your AP text test but also future exams. Remember to utilize mind maps wherever necessary and to color-code your notes.

These methods will make it easier for you to remember and recall information.

5. Get Involved With Extra-Curricular Activities

When evaluating a student’s application, colleges take into account more factors than just good grades on the transcript and SAT or ACT scores. They also want to know your activities outside the classroom.

College applications examine a student’s extracurricular activities for indications of leadership, initiative, and risk-taking propensity. Your extracurricular activities are of value to colleges because they paint a complete picture of who you are.

You can prove your excellent leadership abilities by serving as the football team captain or the school newspaper editor.

Colleges are also interested in learning about students’ internships, volunteer positions, and part-time employment. Working while in school or over the summer indicates that you are dependable and have excellent time management abilities. To succeed in college, you need to possess such qualities.

Similarly to this, volunteering is a positive sign of a student’s participation in their community. Examples include stacking shelves at a food pantry or reading to young children. This demonstrates to universities that you will be a vital and engaged member of campus life.

Also Read

Can you get into college without AP Classes?	Honors Vs. AP Classes
AP Exam Cost	AP Classes Benefits
How to Prepare for AP Classes?	How Long Does AP Test Take?
How Many AP Classes Should I Take?	How Hard is AP Chemistry?

 

FAQs

How stressful are AP Students?

Students experience some stress right before the exams, which is normal. But it will negatively affect you if you are not well-prepared for your AP exams.

Is it worth self-studying for AP?

Even though studying on your own for the AP exams is an option, it is advisable to enroll in a course. Such courses are tailor-made by professionals who know the ins and outs of your subject. It will save you several hours that you can use in understanding the difficult concepts on your subject.

Which AP subject is the hardest?

AP Physics 1 is the hardest of all AP subjects. It covers topics such as Newtonian mechanics, electrical charge and force. Completing college-level lab experiments and writing reports are also mandatory as part of the course.

How many hours should you study for AP?

You can aim for one hour of class, along with 2 to 3 hours of self-studying if you want to get an A+ in your exam.

How can I clear my mind about studying?

You need a clean slate of mind before you start studying. Try mindfulness techniques to declutter your mind and exercise regularly to detoxify your body. Get rid of the distractions around you, especially by organizing your study space. But, above all, be kind to yourself.

How do you get 100 in all exams?

Make a daily schedule, stressing about your classes and schoolwork. Learn to make strategic notes by listening attentively and using color markers to highlight the essential portions. Study with friends or classmates. While doing so, you and your study group can attempt to answer questions from previous examinations.

How can I study very quickly?

Mnemonic devices will come in handy if you want to retain information quickly. Apart from that, revision is also the key to rapid learning. Therefore, keep revising your notes at regular intervals.

How can I love studying?

Falling in love with learning is easier than you think. Set objectives. That is, make a list of the exact things that you want to learn. Adapt your study plan to suit your needs to stay manageable with your tasks. Add incentives according to your work completion that encourages you to work harder.

Takeaways: Life of an AP Student

With the help of these five successful habits, you’ll succeed in the AP course and on your test and receive college credit. And by sticking to these life lines for an ap student, you’ll build valuable habits that you’ll carry with you through college classes and beyond.

Your interest in enrolling in an AP course reflects your drive and skill as a learner.

Just be sure to put in a lot of effort, maintain discipline, and be on top of your homework and projects.