♫It’s the most stressful time of the year♫

AP’s. Most people take them. Nobody likes them. Well, maybe some people do and if you’re one of those people then you probably don’t need to read this because you don’t seem too stressed!

To ensure the best results, you should’ve started studying a month ago so if you haven’t yet, you might as well just not because there’s no point in doing it now. HOWEVER, most of us haven’t even opened a book yet so we’re all in the same boat and we’re here to help.

For starters, making flashcards and outlines can help tremendously with memorizing important topics and organizing your thoughts on paper.  Are you a tree lover? Great, because online flashcards are the perfect solution for you. Websites such as quizlet.com and flippity.net are amazing for creating flashcards. Not only are flashcards available, but there are loads of games that help you learn in a fun, interactive way.

Obviously, we all know studying is an extremely important part of taking an AP but believe it or not, not studying is just as essential. You need to be able to take a break and relax every so often. Studying for hours on end with little to no breaks in between is extremely unhealthy for your mind, which won’t be able to retain as much information if you work it too hard. However, make sure your 10 minute breaks don’t turn into a three hour marathon of your favorite show on netflix. Be aware of your time and manage it well. Study a bit, relax a bit, eat a bit, repeat.

While taking the AP, be sure to keep calm. Bethpage High School Senior, Tyler Santos, exclaims that you shouldn’t let “not knowing some questions get you down, just keep a clear head.” It’s obvious that everyone will want to be perfect and know every single fact in the curriculum but while taking the actual exam, there is nothing you can do about not remembering some things. Just try your best and know you gave it your all.

No matter what, always remember that AP’s are not a life or death situation. If you don’t do as well as you would have liked, it’s not the end of the world, just an end to your wallet.