Advanced Placement classes can provide excellent academic opportunities, but students sometimes underestimate the workload involved. With the new school year on the horizon, many students are preparing for their first AP course while others are still reeling from their courses and exams last school year. Whatever the case may be, preparation is the key to success in an AP course.
How to be Successful in an AP Class
Success in AP courses depends heavily on time management and consistency. Waiting until the night before a test rarely works in fast-paced classes where information builds week after week.
Students also benefit from understanding that struggling initially is normal. AP classes are designed to be challenging. Difficulty does not automatically mean a student made the wrong choice. Starting with a tutor in January when your student has been struggling since September is not as effective of an approach. The earlier a tutor can step into help…the better!
One common mistake is taking too many APs simultaneously. A balanced schedule often leads to stronger overall performance than an overloaded one.
The Preparation for College
Students should also remember that learning matters more than simply collecting advanced courses for a transcript. Colleges care about rigor, but they also value balance, wellness, and sustained academic growth.
When approached thoughtfully, AP classes can help students develop stronger analytical thinking, study habits, and confidence before college-level coursework begins.
Not sure if an AP course is the right path for your student? A college counselor can be a great resource in helping you and your student map out courses that will lead them towards the college of their dreams.
The AJ Approach
Start with a tutor before the first day of school! Get a leg up on concepts and critical study skills, and establish that all important rapport with your tutor before the year has flown by.
