By Lucky Felder & Samhita Holla
AP World History is often judged as a Sophomore year staple. Many blindly take this class unaware of what they’re signing up for. However, what the students do not realize what AP World History is, and how it creeps up on you—if you let it.
The most important part of WHAP does not take place in the classroom, but at home. Students must read through the textbook and take notes, which can seem daunting at first. Beware, this isn’t something you want to put off. The chapter notes are an essential part of studying the material, and while you usually have two weeks to work on them, many WHAP students procrastinate until the last day. Trying to cram forty pages of reading at the same time as writing notes is a nightmare! Just imagine coming home after a long day, the last thing you would want to do is read a fat textbook, right?
Another significant part of WHAP is writing, whether it be short answer questions or essays; Your survival in this class depends on your willingness to self-study and improve based on the feedback you receive from the teacher. In order to respond to prompts, you not only need to know enough content, but also, master historical thinking skills.
Currently, we’ve only been through a quarter of the year, but the vast amount of information we’ve learned already seems like a lot to remember. It’s important to focus on key details, and categorize them in your mind, as it would be nearly impossible to memorize everything. Remember that the chapter quizzes and unit tests don’t focus on specifics like dates, and while you do need to know the content, they mainly test you on whether you can compare, contrast, and identify cause and effect.
The last aspect to performing well in WHAP is actively listening during class lectures and asking questions. Keep in mind, your teacher is well versed on these topics, and is happy to help clarify anything you don’t understand.
As stressful as it might sound, AP World History is a great option for those who are committed to doing well and putting in work to earn their grade. All this isn’t to say you shouldn’t take the class, rather that you shouldn’t mindlessly sign up for it just because your friends did. The class brings a new experience; it is most likely your introduction to the style and workload of AP classes as well as your first time in a history setting since middle school. Learning about the cultures and societies that came before us can be interesting if you raise your hand during class and practice at home.