With AP tests less than a month away, the looming thought of exams fills many of our minds. If you’re like me, taking your first AP exams, the stress is inevitable. Here are some study tips and reminders to help calm the overwhelm.
1. Take breaks. After spending hours studying, your brain starts to tire. Taking breaks is an effective way to recharge your mental energy.
One study of university students observed students completing a task over the course of 45 minutes. One group of students didn’t take a break, while another group took a break and engaged in one of five different activities. No matter the activity, the group of students who took a break performed better on their task.
2. Use the Pomodoro Method. To know when to take a break, use this tested and proven study technique. Work for a block of time (for example, around 30 minutes) and then take a five-minute break. Repeat this cycle five times before taking a longer 10-minute break. You can use a cute timer like this to stay on track with the time blocks.
Personally, after one of my friends recommended the Pomodoro Method, I tried it and found it very helpful.
3. Go outside. Spending time outside helps lower stress. Just 20-30 minutes a day for three days a week has been shown to lead to a drop in cortisol levels, a stress hormone. 20-30 minutes may sound overwhelming, but good news is that you are probably already doing this. Additionally, your study breaks can be spent outside, helping you accomplish two things in one.
4. Make a study plan. Studies have proven that having a plan increases the psychological well-being of students. Set your intentions for the day to make sure that you stay on track with deadlines and prioritize your time well. Be mindful when creating your plan and honest with yourself about how long it will take to accomplish tasks.
5. Reach out to others for help. Vent to your friends, share study techniques, and look to Upperclassmen who have been through it.
Many of my peers and I have used these strategies and found them helpful. These suggestions may feel difficult to execute with a packed schedule, but starting small can make a difference at any level. Making an effort of any size can help your stress levels and studying ability.
At the end of the day, though you should always try your best, remember that your AP score matters less for college admissions than SAT/ACT, GPA, essays, and extracurriculars. You can self-report the AP scores of your choosing, so if you happen to do badly on a test, no college has to know about it.
If you try these techniques but continue to struggle with getting through your work or experience a low mood or anxiety that prevents you from doing basic things, talk to your guidance counselor or school social worker about your feelings. You or your parents can also call 1.844.ONE.CALL (844.663.2255) to learn about mental health resources from The Jewish Board, Monday-Friday from 9 am-12:00 midnight. If you’re in crisis, the 988 hotline is available 24/7, and you can call or text helplines like the NAMI-NYC teen helpline at 212-684-3264, or join their Connection Corner teen support group.
Good luck during AP season!
Sources:
https://www.apa.org/monitor/2019/01/break
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/acp.3334
https://success.oregonstate.edu/planning-time/pomodoro
https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/a-20-minute-nature-break-relieves-stress
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10881737
https://sleep.hms.harvard.edu/education-training/public-education/sleep-and-health-education-program/sleep-health-education-88
https://www.collegevine.com/questions/55122/do-i-send-ap-scores-to-the-colleges-i-m-applying-to
