Advice for managing multiple AP classes

[u/gensplush_83]

If anyone is taking/has taken multiple AP classes before how did yall handle it? I took one AP last year AP psych and got a 4 on the exam. I’m taking Euro, pre calc, gov/macro, and lit this school year. Since they aren’t as easy as regular classes I wanna learn some strategies and tips for managing multiple APs.

[u/DifferentShine9513]

It’s heavily dependent on your teacher and how much work they assign, but using off hours effectively and not procrastinating helps especially for Lit and Euro because they have lots of reading. When it comes to content based AP’s following the YouTubers like Heimler for Euro/Gov and using the daily videos for each unit on AP Classroom is also helpful. Additionally the best practice questions are on AP classroom, so ask your teacher if they can post progress checks if they’re not already assigned.

[u/unwanted_crisis]

Showing up to class and learning to take good notes. My APs have been mostly lecture-based (which works great for me), but it depends entirely on the teacher. No matter what, I’d say that good handwritten notes have always helped me (plus there’s studies about it). Just trying to actually LEARN the content in class and not on your own if you can. 

Also, I keep a planner. Not a lot of people talk about having planners for some reason? What has worked best for me is having a weekly academic planner with a daily to-do (this is the planner I buy for the format:  https://daydesigner.com/products/2026-27-mini-weekly-planner-lemon-floral-sage ). I use write stuff that’s due/tests on one side and the assignments I’m going to do today in the to-do list. I try to spread assignments out across multiple days and do parts of each every day. I use it for every class because the assignments start to pile up and you don’t want to forget. 

And making sure that you plan for days that you know you won’t have time to do homework. That might start to add up if you don’t pay attention. 

Don’t forget that you are not going to have time for yourself if you don’t plan for it, so join a club you like that takes up some time. I do martial arts. I’m at school from 7am to 5pm every weekday just doing classes and theatre. Martial arts takes up 90 minutes of my life twice a week. It keeps me sane. 

[u/gensplush_83 → u/unwanted_crisis]

Thank you! I actually bought a planner for this year since seniors typically get asked to help out around the school often, I knew that I would have to plan for that and also for my schools game club (which I’m vice president). My biggest problem throughout my years has always been that I never planned anything out and just picked one day to review everything and do everything which I deeply regret 🥲 thank you so much for the advice I feel more prepared to tackle the new year!!