How to Be Successful in APUSh
The following is meant to be a few suggestions only. It is not a magic formula to certain success. Everyone learns in their own way and ultimately each person must find what works best for them.
- READ - There is NO WAY that we can cover all of the content and learn/practice the skills needed to do well with just class time. You MUST read the book! This year, lectures will only be a couple of days a week. Other days will be spent on the skills needed to do well on the tests and on activities to help you understand some topics in more depth. Do NOT expect the instructor to cover every piece of content you need to know.
- Time- These exams are very difficult and it takes time to prepare. Study time for each test should be measured in hours not minutes. You should also study over time. In other words, study an hour or two, three or four nights prior to a test. Study one topic at a time. Don’t re-read all of the material from beginning to end every time. Pick a topic and master it before moving on to a new topic. This requires discipline and effort. Skimming through your notes for thirty minutes the morning of the test won’t work.
- Be interactive with the material. Review your notes (from lectures, chapter outlines, videos, etc) thoroughly before tests. Make flash cards, Cornell Notes, mind maps - anything you write down multiple times is much more likely to be remembered! Simply looking at notes will not help you retain as much content.I have read studies that said it is helpful to put information into another form. That may mean putting information on flashcards. You could explain key developments to someone else. Create timelines. Create acrostics based on the material. Summarize key sections from memory then check the summaries for detail and accuracy. You could rank order the most important information in a given section or chapter. You could take quizzes found online. You could re-write key portions of your notes each day. Do something with the information.
- Study Groups- Study groups may work better for some then others. A study group needs to be organized and disciplined or they could turn into a gab session and be counter productive.
- Homework- Don’t forget the connection between the homework and the tests. The content is the same. Do your homework with the idea that you need to learn the material not because you want the points. Do your chapter assignments by the date they are due. This will ensure you have read the chapter and covered the content BEFORE we review it in class. Take notes as you read so that you can have them in class on days we cover content.
- Participate in class. Be present every day. This doesn't just mean in your seat, but actually engaged in the lesson or activity. Ask more questions in class. Have questions in mind when you come to class. Be more engaged in discussion. This is not a regular class so it is not okay to be disruptive. Focus 100% of the time on what is being taught or the activities.
- Use Additional Resources - There is NO WAY that we can cover all of the content and learn/practice the skills needed to do well with just class time. Use the resources Mrs. Myers puts on her website. Watch the videos posted on the Livebinder. These are great for learning and reviewing content. There are lots of other websites that are great for review.
- Seek Out Help - When the teacher offers you the chance to revise an assignment for a passing grade, DO IT!! Not only will you earn more points, but you will also learn more to help you be successful on the AP Exam in May. Come by after school for help from Mrs. Myers. Sign up to come in during CAT30 time to make up tests, ask questions, etc. I am usually here after school most days.
Advice from Previous APUSH Students
- Pay attention, it will save your life. Take notes, study if needed, and for love of your grade, don't talk over Mrs. Myers. -Amanda S.
- Do your homework before the unit test because if you procrastinate you will be even more stressed than you need to be. - Kalena R.
- Studying on your own and reading sources outside of the book is very helpful. - Kevin V.
- Exact dates are not always important. If you take note of the time period and who was president, it is easier to study. - Danielle P.
- Buy a review book as early as possible! The lectures were a good way to recap on all the information attained through reading. - Kevin L.
- I made flashcards to help me study the terms and I got a tutor who helped me understand exactly what the book was telling me....It is important to manage your time and plan prior to each test when you are going to read, do terms and review. - Carly V.
- Establish a good work habit and don't be lazy like me. - Javier R.
- When explaining US history to someone else, I was forced to truly know and understand it; so I would suggest the method of "teaching" to others (family, friends, etc.) as a way of consolidating and reviewing your knowledge. - Dylan B.
- The most important advice I can possibly give you is READ THE BOOK, as well as do your homework. - Christine D.
- Do not merely turn in assignments...make sure you understand the information before you put it down on your papers. - Valerie B.
- Going over the terms and notes will help, but reading is the most important thing. - Heechan Y.
- I learned that we have to be responsible for reading the chapters at home...Don't give up!...Cramming everything in the last minute will hurt you. - Evelyn L.
- Make a habit to study throughout the week. Don't just try to cram it in the night before because it won't help you much. - Kadetra P.
- Listen to what the teacher says and take really good notes. they help a lot!!! - Courtney J.
- Do the homework, don't procrastinate, listen to the teacher, find alternative ways to study. - Marilyn C.
- Do work thoroughly and precisely, also study at home. - Samantha T.
- Notes and lectures help a lot, do all of the assignments. - Natasha J.
- Read the chapters, do your homework, use outside information. - Justin B.
- My advice is that you do everything everyone has said but, don't just read, think about the material you are reading, don't just take notes and then throw them aside, actually study them, also ask questions in class. It is always better to clarify than to not know. Also make flashcards about certain dates and events they help for the tests because that stuff is what the tests in the class and the AP exam will be on. - Travis R.