At Burroughs High School, CAASPP Testing is done and now motivated students are turning their attention to end-of-year Advanced Placement exams. With many AP classes to prepare for, students are coming up with smart ways to study and stay organized during this stressful time.
Lilly Keehan, a senior taking multiple AP classes, says she’s focusing on the concepts that matter most.
“I am writing down topics that I need to work on or scored lower on throughout the year first, along with the topics that hold the most weight on the exams,” Keehan said. “It’s impossible to study every single thing, so I am prioritizing what I study first and for how long.”
Her study routine is based on the exam schedule. “I like to study for the exams in order of which I will be taking them,” Keehan said.
To refresh what she’s learned, she reviews her notes, completes practice questions, and uses study books that highlight the main ideas from each unit. “It really helps me remember the important stuff without feeling too overwhelmed,” Keehan said.
Iriza Katsuya, a hardworking junior student at Burroughs, takes a very organized approach. She starts preparing for her AP exams as early as March.
“I looked up the percentage each unit has on the AP exam for each of my AP classes,” Katsuya said. “Then, I rank the units on importance and significance. After making the list, I summarize the important stuff in each unit, going down the list of importance.”
Once her summaries are done, Katsuya shifts to practice exams, often using College Board’s released materials.
“If time runs out, I usually leave the less-tested units out of my preparation and just go in with the major units done,” Katsuya said. It’s a practical trade-off to make sure she’s confident in the most heavily tested topics.
With multiple exams to prepare for, Katsuya also has a system to manage her time.
“I balance my time studying for my exams by categorizing them,” she said. “I rank them on confidence, spending more time on the exams that I am least confident in, while also considering the order in which they are happening.”
For both students, motivation is key, especially when juggling school work, extracurriculars, and other responsibilities.
Katsuya keeps her goal in mind. “Honestly, what motivates me to study is that since I took the class, learned the curriculum, and paid for the exam, I might as well try my best and pass the exam. $99 ain’t cheap, you know. And the college credit is very much a perk.”
As AP testing week approaches, students at Burroughs High are proving that preparation isn’t just about studying hard, but about studying smart. Whether it’s through carefully timed schedules, targeted practice, or a little financial motivation, they’re determined to make their efforts count.
