By Mia Hanuska and Kathryn Tanaka
If you’re on the fence about whether or not to take Calculus BC, or you are planning on taking it, this guide is just for you! As students who have just dominated the AP exam, Mia and I have plenty of study tips and general information to help you with your decision. Disclaimer: There is going to be a new teacher next year, so it might not be the exact same.
Normal Day:
We typically start class with a set of AP problems covering the topic from last class. Then, the rest of the class is dedicated to a lecture on a new subject. The notes are extensive, so they are a great resource for when you are reviewing at the end of the year.
Study Tips:
- Do the homework ASAP!
There is a lot of material covered, so much that we practically learned a new topic every day. To cement this knowledge in your brain, doing the homework the same day will help with keeping up. It is usually long and super repetitive, so the topics are practically drilled into your noggin by the end! The assignments definitely pile up, so don’t leave them until the last minute.
- Utilize Study Hall or ask questions during class
There were so many times I (Kathryn) didn’t fully understand the complex concepts we went over in class, but experiencing Wendy Lawson’s expertise and patience one-on-one during study hall made them so much easier to grasp. Don’t feel intimidated or scared of being seen as dumb, I can guarantee you there’s probably someone else just as confused as you.
- Stay Organized
With notes and pages and pages of homework, it’s important to keep your papers neat and easily accessible. Most people keep two notebooks: one for class notes and one for homework assignments, which I (Mia) found quite helpful. But it’s not just your papers that should be organized—keep your math organized too. Even if you think you don’t need to write your process down, it’s always helpful when revisiting notes or past assignments to know exactly how you solved a problem. Plus, the AP test often requires a certain amount of work to be shown, so it’s good to get in the habit of keeping your math clean.
- Know your resources!
The internet has a vast expanse of knowledge, and that includes calculus. Youtube and AP Classroom have great review videos from CollegeBoard themselves, and if you need a refresher on a topic or want MCQ/FRQ practice, these resources are free and very helpful. Try this playlist if you’re looking for help during the school year or this video if you’re cramming for the AP test.