AP classes during the quarter off
Maura Schramm’s stack of AP materials that she is using to prepare for AP tests. Students need to balance all these classes during their off quarter in order to pass their AP tests come spring.
In this year’s new CDL format, students’ schedules change every quarter, prompting frequent discontinuity between their classes. This can be a problem for most all classes, but AP students are facing the brunt end of the difficulties.
Advanced Placement classes spend the entire year preparing students for a national test to judge their knowledge. With months between classes, students are facing difficulties sustaining their knowledge as well as dealing with high expectations and self-discipline.
So, how are these students balancing both their current classes and their classes from the quarter before?
Miguel Tejeda is managing five AP classes this year: calculus AB, government and politics, Spanish literature, environmental science, and English language. This quarter, Tejeda faces two of the five AP classes but attempts to continue his studies in the other classes simultaneously. Tejeda explains, “managing AP classes during the quarter off is a struggle. I find myself looking for time to study my paused AP classes but not being able to get in any review time due to my current workload.” This strain to find time to complete assignments and review past information is very common among AP students in this year’s format.
Managing AP classes during the quarter off is a struggle. I find myself looking for time to study my paused AP classes but not being able to get in any review time due to my current workload.
— Miguel Tejeda
Some students, however, are having a different experience.
Maura Schramm, a senior this year, is well versed in the difficulty of AP classes but does not find too many worries about the schedule this year despite having six AP classes. Schramm expresses, “all of the assignments during off quarters have been optional and there haven’t been that many in general. I think I’ll be able to sustain my knowledge from my last quarter.” While many students are facing difficulties, their struggles are dependent on their classes and teachers. Schramm’s main worry this year is focused on second and fourth quarter classes and the loss of time due to the AP testing dates.
In addition to keeping information fresh, AP students are also experiencing learning curriculum at an accelerated pace due to the condensed schedule. Sophomore, Anthea Goh describes, “For AP classes, which are very dense and require time to go over everything in detail, we aren’t getting that level of depth and understanding.”
Among many other issues, the loss of motivation and condensing of information are proving to be the most difficult to overcome. As the year progresses, hopefully students will find their footing and balance this crazy year with the help of their teachers and peers.
