AP Human Geography Advice
Vanessa Kjeldsen
Determine Time Commitment
AP Human Geography is a very challenging course and requires lots of time commitment. If you are in band or any other extra curricular activities that requires lots of time, this class may not be for you. Assess your priorities. It's much better to have a higher grade in an on level class, than to be failing an upper level class.
Create Friends That Will Help You
AP classes are very challenging. It's very helpful if you can find a friend base that you can create study groups with or go to for help. Having a supportive group of friends is also great for your emotional health when going through with a stressful class like this.
Complete Your Work As Soon As Possible
Do not procrastinate. There are tons of notes and often worksheets, it's much easier if you do these assignments as they are assigned. Keeping up with your school work will make life way less stressful. Keep up with your menu/calendar so you always know when tests are.
Study For ALL Of Your Tests
If possible, create study groups, this will make life so much easier. Your grades will really show, if you just review for 15 minutes every night. Don't slack off when it comes to tests. Besides, you often get extra credit on tests for having study groups.
Watch the Video Lectures
The video lectures provided are a great way to summarize what you read in the textbook. These lectures also often give insight on what will be on the tests and quizzes. They also cover things that may not be in the textbook but will be on your AP test or on tests in the class. Watching these lectures is super important!
Use Quizlet
Quizlet is a great tool to review vocabulary in this class. Quizlet offers a variety of ways for reviewing for your tests. Since, AP Human Geography is primarily vocabulary based, having Quizlet as a tool is super helpful.
Start Preparing for The AP Exam
Begin preparing for the AP exam weeks in advance. There is lots of vocabulary and concepts to study. It will be impossible to cover all of the information you've studied the night before the AP test. Start reviewing and studying weeks in advance, you will thank yourself when you're taking the AP test.
Use iScore 5
A great tool for studying for the AP exam is the app iScore 5. This app focuses on vocabulary from the course. It gives you definitions of vocabulary and asks you to pick the word that matches the definition. This app covers vocabulary that isn't in your textbook or is covered in class. It really helps add a different perspective to your learning.
Use a Review Book
Use a review book to help study for the AP exam. The Princeton Review or Barron's are great review books that have practice tests in them to help you prepare for your AP test. These books also give a different perspective in a new format that you may not be used to in order to prepare for the test.
Do Extra Credit
Do any extra credit that is offered in the course. Even if you are doing well in the class, it is helpful to have some extra padding just in case you don't do well in the future. Extra credit REALLY does help your grade.