How to Excel While Taking Multiple AP Courses

Taking multiple Advanced Placement (AP) courses can feel overwhelming, with mountains of homework from three, five, or even more classes. You’re juggling AP Chemistry, U.S. History readings, a math test on Tuesday, and an English essay due Wednesday. Burnout seems inevitable, and excelling in each course feels like a daunting challenge. Ready to master the art of AP course juggling? Let’s dive in.

Balancing multiple AP courses requires smart planning, prioritization, and time management—this blog will cover the best tips and tricks to succeed.

Choosing your AP Courses

Instead of taking multiple AP courses just to impress colleges, focus on the ones that genuinely interest you or are related to your major. It’s essential to maintain a balance between STEM and humanities courses unless you have a strong preference or excel in a particular area.

Some APs are harder than others with either longer exam times or more units to go over in the course. You can view all the APs college board offers in the link, with all the necessary supplementary information: https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/courses

Prioritization Techniques

Identify and prioritize your weakest subjects. Don’t assume you can study one hour for each course and achieve the same results. Instead, introduce variety into your study schedule. Some courses will require more time and effort, especially those that challenge you the most. For example, if AP Physics feels particularly difficult, allocate additional study time to it, while still maintaining regular review sessions for your other subjects.

By adjusting your study time based on the complexity and your comfort level with each course, you can create a more effective and personalized study plan that helps you excel across the board.

Time Management Hacks

Creating a well-structured study schedule is crucial for balancing multiple AP courses.

• Block Your Time: Assign dedicated time slots for each AP course-based on your priorities. For example, if you find AP Biology challenging, give it more time in your schedule, especially when exams are near.
• Prioritize Assignments: Not all assignments require the same amount of effort. Prioritize based on deadlines and difficulty, tackling the most complex tasks when your energy levels are highest.
• Build in Breaks: Remember to include short breaks between study sessions to avoid burnout. A brief walk or a quick snack break can help you recharge and maintain focus.
• Stay Flexible: Regularly review your schedule and adjust as needed. If you’re progressing faster in one subject, reallocate time to another that might need more attention.

Effective Study Strategies

Study harder, not smarter by decreasing the time spent studying with these strategies.

• Active Recall: Instead of simply rereading notes, actively test yourself on the material. This could be through flashcards, practice quizzes, or even explaining concepts to a friend. Active recall strengthens memory retention and understanding.
• Spaced Repetition: Spread your study sessions out over time. For example, review AP Psychology vocabulary for 30 minutes a day leading up to a quiz, rather than cramming for hours the night before. This technique helps reinforce vocabulary in your memory more effectively.
• Use Multiple Resources: Do practice questions online before quizzes and tests to get accustomed to the material. AnswerAI’s “AP Master” feature allows you to compete with friends and track your progress across various questions related to each unit in AP U.S. History, making studying more interactive and engaging.