Crunch Time: Last-Minute AP Exam Study Tips

Tick tock, tick tock- the countdown is on! AP exams are just days away, and we know that means a lot of stress and study overload for students. So what do you do if you’re trying to juggle exam prep for your four APs or can’t seem to manage your test anxiety? How do you possibly find time in your already- packed schedule for review? Easy! Read our list of last-minute study tips to ensure you’ll feel confident and ready to tackle your AP exams. 

Identify what you know and don’t know

It’s crunch time, so you’ll need to be really strategic about your study plans. That means figuring out WHAT you need to study over the next several days. Look through your materials- practice tests, class notes, old assignments- to figure out exactly what you already know and don’t know. We recommend creating three categories to help you sort the content:

• What I already know well…

• What I’ll know better when I review…

• What I don’t know at all…

Why the categories? Well, first of all, an organized list will make a year’s worth of AP content- which can be really overwhelming- much more manageable. Second, this method will likely boost your confidence when you see the long list of concepts you’ve already mastered. Third, you’ll be able to make better decisions about how much study time you’ll realistically need and what material you’ll need to focus on the most.

Book study appointments with yourself

Look closely at your calendar for the next week or two and identify specific windows of time that you can dedicate to studying each day. And by specific, we mean specific. Don’t just think to yourself, “I'm free on Sunday. I’ll study then.” Are you really going to spend your ENTIRE day studying? Probably not! And even if you do, you’re not going to get the best results by completing an 8+ hour cramming marathon. Your brain is going to tire out!  Instead, divide your studying into smaller chunks of time each day, so you’re more likely to retain the material. 

But how do you actually hold yourself accountable for studying every day? Book study appointments with yourself! After you find blocks of time in your day for studying, mark them off your calendar. Seriously, block them off as actual events on your Google calendar, just as you would a dentist appointment or a track practice. This way you’ll feel less stressed, knowing exactly when and where your studying fits into your day. And you’ll be more likely to stick to your plan. Bonus: even if you forget your study appointment, your phone will remind you! 

Take a practice test…again

Hopefully you’ve taken practice tests before, but go ahead and take another one–or two– in the days leading up to your exam. Not only will the practice test help you identify any last minute weaknesses or gaps; it’s also great training for a timed exam. Just be sure NOT to take a practice test the night before the actual exam. Let your brain get some rest! 

Sleep! 

Speaking of rest, trading in sleep for all-night study sessions might seem like a great way to ace your AP exams, but it can actually end up having the opposite effect. Lack of sleep affects your ability to memorize and recall information AND decreases your concentration levels. Not to mention, less sleep can also also affect your mood, making you more likely to feel anxious and stressed when it comes time to take your test. 

Not convinced by our parental-sounding advice? Then take a look at this scientific study: Should I study or should I go to sleep?

Reach out for help

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by your upcoming AP exams, remember that there are plenty of people who can help you. Organize a study session with friends, whether it’s to play a review game or complete some practice problems. Chances are they’ll be able to help you with confusing concepts and vice versa. Your parents and siblings can be great review buddies, too. They might not be experts in psychology or physics, but they can certainly quiz you on vocabulary. And don’t forget your teacher. They may be willing to organize an extra study session or offer you some additional advice or resources. You just have to ask!

Still feel like you need a bit more support in the coming weeks? Consider booking an academic coaching session with us! We can help you create a study schedule, organize your materials, develop strategies to combat test anxiety, and more. Schedule a meeting here.

Good luck to everyone taking AP exams! We are rooting for you!

Decluttering Your Mind

Thanks to professional organizer Marie Kondo and her hit Netflix series, Tidying Up, decluttering has transformed from a dreaded chore into a joy. After all, there’s no better feeling than a well-ordered closet or Pinterest-inspired desk space. And psychology would agree with me! There are numerous scientific studies that show decluttering can have a powerful effect on our mental health. A little bit of organization and order can reduce stress and anxiety and increase our levels of focus. 

But did you know that closets and garages aren’t the only spaces you can declutter? You can also free up some room in your brain! In a recent Forbes article, Christopher Rim discussed 5 habits of Ivy League college students. One of those habits happens to be decluttering your mind. Because the mind is a lot like your computer, which is running all day to help you process and store information, it needs to work efficiently. That means you need to take the time to organize your folders and trash what you don’t need! Otherwise, all of those unnecessary files and downloads will slow you down.

How to Declutter Your Mind

Organize your calendar:

As Rim points out, “A student’s mind is their biggest asset and best tool. They should not make it work twice as hard as it needs to!” We couldn’t agree more! Don’t waste valuable brain space trying to remember your rotating class schedule or your away games. Write down these events instead. Not only will it make you feel more in control of your daily schedule; a calendar is the best tool for anticipating and managing busy weeks. 

For students who like to use a paper planner, check out Order out of Chaos’ line of academic calendars. There are also plenty of basic planner options available on Amazon. Looking for a bit more personality with your planner? Well, then consider ordering from Papier’s collection of artsy planners. And if you can’t seem to find exactly what you’re looking for, So Typical Me can help you design a custom planner to fit your exact needs.

If you’ve gone paperless, you can download an all-in-one digital planner for the school year or set up My Homework app on your phone. We love the My Homework app because it helps you keep track of your daily schedule and homework assignments AND sends reminders to your phone. To Doist is another great calendar option, especially for students who like the satisfaction of checking off daily to-do lists on their calendars. 

Manage Your Time:

Okay, so you’ve set up your calendar, and you know what tasks you need to accomplish. But now you’re not sure where to start.  Your mind is cluttered by distractions, the anxiety of pre-calc homework problems, and that overwhelming feeling that comes when you have a big test to study for AND a big game. 

To clear some space in your mind, you’ll need to work on managing your time. Now it’s not an exact science, but there are a few strategies to help you prioritize tasks and break down your responsibilities into smaller, more manageable chunks.

• Pomodoro technique: this time-management tool is perfect for those who get easily distracted. Set a timer for a certain amount of time. 25 minutes is recommended, but adjust to fit your schedule. Then get to work on your task, avoiding distractions. When your timer goes off, take a 5 minute break. Then repeat your pomodoro. The goal here is to keep your mind clear and focused on the task at hand. Use your 5-minute break to address things that might normally distract you, like answering a text or grabbing a snack. If you’re interested in trying the Pomodoro technique, you can add this handy pomodoro app to your phone or use the Pomofocus website.

• Time blocking method: Have you ever found yourself with a chunk of free time but had no idea what to do? The time blocking method helps you know exactly what you need to do and when. Every Sunday, get in the habit of planning out your calendar for the week ahead. Once you pencil in all of your games and meetings and classes, ‘block off’ your free time. For example, plan out your study halls with specific tasks for that period of time. This method is really helpful for managing bigger assignments, like a project or an essay, and eliminating our urge to multitask (which makes accomplishing a specific task difficult).

• Ivy League method: For those who can’t seem to get their priorities straight, this is the technique for you! Before you go to bed each night, get in the habit of looking over your calendar. Make a list of tasks that are most important for you to complete the next day (only six!). Then order these tasks in order of priority. It’s a simple method that can have a powerful effect! This strategy will ensure you do what needs to get done- even if it means visiting your teacher for extra help BEFORE you start planning homecoming events with your friends. (PS: You can even buy an Ivy League method notebook to help you prioritize everyday.)  

Do you need an organizer to help you declutter?

Hopefully, we’ve inspired you to start decluttering your mind (and maybe even your bedroom, too). If you’re in need of your own academic organizer, we’re here to help you tidy up! Schedule a meet-and-greet here to learn more about our college counseling AND academic coaching services.