It’s the thousand-pound boulder sitting in front of all of us right now: exam season. With the May SAT fast approaching, AP Exams continuing this week, and final exams on the horizon, it can feel like we’re all stuck in a whirlwind of stress. And, as a senior, I’m here to tell you: it will be okay. Here are some tips and tricks I’ve learned over the years to make May manageable.
- For AP Exams: Videos, videos, videos. Upon opening your AP Classroom, in the “Course Guide” module, there are AP Daily videos created by AP subject teachers nationwide for all units of your course, helping you to understand each topic. As these videos can sometimes be lengthy, I would recommend watching at least two or three AP Daily videos in each unit that you felt like you struggled with the most. There are also many private YouTubers who post AP content online. I have used Heimler’s History to help me prepare for my AP social studies exams, and I couldn’t recommend him more highly. He makes videos for all of the social studies classes offered on campus: AP World History, AP US History, AP US Government and Politics, and AP Human Geography. And lastly, don’t stress. Your teachers have prepared you all year long for this exam, so you know much more than you think. (Pro tip: Slow down Heimler’s videos as you take notes; he can talk quite fast.)
- Â For SAT mastery: Khan Academy. As you complete the PSAT, your results should be loaded into Khan Academy, where you can sharpen your skills where you need it most. Taking five to ten minutes out of your day to work on a problem set could make a world of difference on test day. Khan Academy also has instructional videos, which you can use to master the application-style questions that the College Board frequently tests.
- For Final Exams: Complete your Final Reviews. I know this may seem almost too simple, but the review guide your teacher makes contains all the big ideas and topics needed to master the final exam. Be thorough in your responses, and highlight questions that you’re not sure of, and show your teacher. Not only will this show that you’re taking initiative with the course content (which looks great on college letters of recommendation), but actively seeking this information will make it sink into your brain.
Regardless of the test, the best study tip I have is active recall, where you not just write down the information while studying, but you actually understand it and can explain it to another person. Some ways to achieve this are to explain a lesson to a parent, your favorite stuffed animal or even just quizzing yourself on an app like Quizlet, which can generate flashcards with the help of AI.
Another general tip I have is to make a study map. This could even be putting exam dates into your calendar, but looking at these dates at a glance can help you to see how many days you have left before the exam, and how many days you need to study.
Lastly, during this time, remember to prioritize self-care. Whether it’s getting your favorite Starbucks drink, unplugging from social media for a while or going to the gym, the best way to keep your stamina high is to focus on you, your physical health, and your mental health.
However you get through this month, remember: you got this!
