AP classes are offered across the country and also provide the possibility for college credit if earned through a course relevant AP test in the spring. Depending on the course, these classes are available for all grade levels and provide opportunities for students to attempt more challenging course material.

Senior Alex Meub, who has embraced the challenge of five AP classes this year, believes the risk of failing the AP test should not deter students from giving it a try.

“If worse comes to worst, maybe you don’t get the college credit but at least you tried [the class] and still got the high school credit,” Meub said. “It’s always good to push yourself and see if you can handle it.”

 Additionally, signup for AP classes is as simple as checking a box on the course selection sheet, whereas enrolling in ACC classes requires more effort from the initial application to the registration process.

In regards to the challenging curriculum of many AP classes, Meub says it’s all a matter of commitment to learning and developing appropriate study skills

“I think some students don’t learn how to take notes properly,” Meub said. “[They] don’t realize how much of a time commitment reading the textbook actually is.” 

Senior Marlee Randel, who takes AP classes during the school year in addition to summer ACC courses, agrees with Meub’s view.

“The workload of AP classes is more significant,” Randel said. “And the content is more rigorous than it is in ACC classes.”

Sincerity for learning and being surrounded by focused peers, as well as trying to find interest in the material are sources of motivation Meub feels is needed to achieve academically. She concluded that success in AP is fairly simple.

 “With any class, if you don’t do the assignments or don’t do any practice, obviously you don’t learn anything and so you struggle more,” Meub said. “Just keeping up with the [textbook] readings, and paying attention in class just like any other class helps a lot to keep you going.”

One of Meub’s favorite aspects of AP is the atmosphere of the classes and the ease with which she feels connected to teachers.

“I could ask the teacher any questions I want whenever I wanted,” Meub said. “[In contrast to ACC] I don’t have to wait for office hours or whenever a teacher is specifically available.”

On the other hand, students like Randel enjoy AP classes for some of their social aspects.

“There is a strong sense of community in AP classes,” Randel said. “It’s challenging, but bonding [with classmates] over a little bit of shared suffering makes it all worth it.”