Now that Spring Break is over, the pressure is on to prepare for AP exams that are coming up in just a few weeks.

AP exam season tends to be the most stressful part of the school year for students. AP classes are finishing up their curriculum, and you are expected to be able to recall information you may have been taught in August.

It can become overwhelming trying to figure out how you want to go about studying for your exams, especially if you have multiple exams to prepare for. Here are some ideas to help you navigate through this stressful time and adequately prepare for your AP exams:

Stay Committed
One very important aspect of preparing for an AP exam is to stay committed to the task. Though it can be stressful trying to remember everything from the course, pushing through and not giving up is the first step. You will get so much more done if you stick it through, and it may be the deciding factor in how well you perform on the exam.

Take Breaks
Taking breaks while you are studying is essential in strengthening your ability to focus and remember the content. According to Cornell University, “taking purposeful breaks (anywhere from 5–60 minutes) from studying to refresh your brain and body increases your energy, productivity, and ability to focus.”

It is also important to note that these breaks should be productive. Grabbing a snack, going for a walk, and meditating are great ways to give yourself a break from studying and reset your brain. Going on social media is not a recommended activity to do during your breaks, as it does not allow you to refocus your attention.

Use Your Resources
There are so many resources out there that can help you study for your AP exams. There are paid websites you can visit that provide different resources, such as review videos and notes that can help you get a good overview of the entire course. You can also buy review material from Amazon like AP practice books from The Princeton Review, Barron’s, and Crash Course. There are also flashcard sets from varying brands to help you get more practice with the AP exam layout and help you know what to expect.

Don’t have the money to spend on practice books? That’s okay! There are plenty of free online resources through the College Board and other review sites. One of the best review tools from the College Board is their AP Daily feature. This feature has videos from different AP teachers explaining and going through the course material. This is a great tool to utilize if you want a quick overview of the material you should know for your exam.

Stay Positive
AP exam season is a stressful time for many students. It is important to remember that, even in this time of stress, one of the biggest motivators for studying is staying positive. Do not consider all of the “what ifs?” Stay focused on the present, and believe in yourself and your abilities that you can pass your exams.

Whatever the outcome may be, your score does not define you. Everyone here at Canyon knows how hard you have worked all school year, and we could not be prouder of each and every one of our AP students. Good luck, Cowboys!