AP Anxiety Across America

The days of May 4th through May 15th, 2015 are considered the worst ten days of the entire year by numerous high school students. A group of seniors at Arrowhead High School said AP weeks are the most stressful, unnerving of their high school careers.

While some students may just have one or two APs, there are others who are tackling six or seven. Nevertheless, students have made it very clear that AP tests are anything by enjoyable.

Suzzy Kowalski, an Arrowhead senior, says she is taking three APs including AP English Literature, AP European History, and AP English Language.

AP English Literature took place from 8am to 12pm on Wednesday, May 6th. AP European History took place the following friday, May 8th from 12pm to 4 pm. AP English Literature is during the second week of APs on Wednesday, May 13th from 8am to 12 pm.

Kowalski says she is least worried about AP Lang because AP Lit is said to be the more difficult of the two, and AP Euro was a very hard test.

“AP Euro was very difficult, but I walked out of it feeling pretty confident. After AP Lit, however, I felt pretty unsure,” she says.

She says she is hoping to get college credit for at least one of the English courses, if not both, and if she fails AP Lit she will be glad she took AP Lang to fill at least one credit.

Kowalski says she didn’t take the AP Lang class but is taking the test because her teachers, Mrs. Passler and Mr. Freeburg, said it is very easy for an AP Lit student to double up and take on both.

“AP Lit was tough. My mind was shredded after that test, so I am really hoping that AP Lang is easier, so I’ll at least feel confident about one of the English APs,” she says.

Ethan Hogan, a junior of Pine Forest High School in Fayetteville, North Carolina, says he is also taking three APs including AP Psychology, AP United States History, and AP English Language.

AP Psychology took place on Monday, May 4th from 12pm to 4pm, and AP United States History was on Friday, May 8th from 8am to 12pm.

“I’m most nervous about AP Lang because we got an example of past AP Lang tests, and the material on those tests was nothing like the material we learned in class, so I’m afraid I won’t be prepared,” he says.

Hogan says APUSH was his easiest test because he is good at memorizing historical events, and he has always had an interest in the topic.

“I felt very confident after taking the APUSH test, although a lot of my friends felt the opposite, so I’m not sure what to think. I guess I’ll find out in July when the scores are released,” Hogan says.

He says Pine Forest pays for the AP fees for students enrolled in the courses of the tests they are taking, but if students opt to take a test for a class they are not in, they have to pay it on their own.

“At my school it’s mandatory to take certain APs in order. We have to take AP Lang before we take AP Lit, so it’s impossible to double up and take both,” he says.

Hogan says after this last week of APs students will be able to calm down and focus on finals.

“I can’t wait for this all to be over. AP weeks are the worst weeks. I just hope that all of the effort I put into them will pay off,” he says.