AP Test Tips

For many high school students, April showers don’t bring May flowers- they bring AP tests. And we come, kicking and screaming. These annual, challenging tests are designed to test one’s knowledge of a specific subject, from Physics to US History. However, we Pres girls are pretty smart. In 2010, out of the 306 tests that 173 students took, 87% of the students passed with a score of three or more. To give you an accurate comparison, the pass rate of students all across America was 59%.

Why did we do so well?  Preparation, of course! There is no one way to study as there is no way of knowing what will be asked. Some subjects, like Biology, contain exorbitant amounts of information that may or may not be included on the test. Here are some tips for effective studying tools.

First of all, make a study schedule. This is especially handy for those who are taking more than one AP test. It’s important to plan when you are going to study and how much you are going to study. Some require more effort while others do not.

The next step would be to find a prep book. There are a plethora of options: Barron’s, Cliff’s, 5 Steps To A 5, Princeton Review, Collegeboard and many more. These brands will often approach the material differently. Some focus on summarizing concepts while others choose to include some details that could be relevant to the test. There are also differences in regards to difficulty. Barron’s tends to go harder than the actual test so that the studier is more than prepared and Collegeboard books are usually exactly like the AP tests.

Senior Maitreyee Mittal is an AP test veteran. “I usually use the Barron’s books for the AP tests,” Mittal says. “They outline all the important information really clearly.”

Prep books also often include diagnostic tests so that you can pinpoint your problem areas. If you find yourself an expert in a specific area, you don’t need to study that part! How handy is that? Then you can focus on the hard stuff.

If your teachers hold review sessions to go over material that is probably on the AP tests, you should definitely attend them. Your teachers know all about the AP tests. You don’t. It’s as simple as that. They focus on the topics that are most likely going to appear and provide a perfect opportunity to answer your questions. Remember those difficult concepts? Your teachers are the ones who can help you conquer them.

“Review sessions depend on the teachers, but they really help a lot—a lot of teachers give sample questions that pertain to each topic,” says senior Shawna Adikara. “I’ve found the ones that happen on the weekends especially useful.”

Last, and certainly not least, get a good night’s sleep. It will be useless to stay up until the wee hours of the morning studying if you start snoring in the middle of the AP Government test. Just ask senior Nicole Cuenca.

“Honestly, at that point, you know what you know and trying to study anymore is not going make that big of a difference. If you are more relaxed when you are taking the test, I feel that it is a lot easier to concentrate and remember things rather than being stressed and freaked out,” says Cuenca.

Study early, sleep early. Good luck, everyone!

Tips for College Applications

College: It’s what we’ve been preparing for since we entered the halls of Presentation High School, if not earlier. Four years of studying, research papers and projects have all lead up to the moment of graduation, after which we can finally move on to college.

If only it were that easy. Unfortunately, before you can actually attend college, you have to apply to said college. And, as most seniors know, there is nothing more stressful than the application process…especially as the deadlines start to creep up on you.

However, you’re not alone. The Voice has asked seniors who applied early or finished their applications early to share their tips and warnings to help maximize your chances of success.

The most common tip is, of course, to start the application process early. “I would advise students to begin writing essays in the summer. At the very least, students should have some idea about what topic they want to write about. As the fall semester rolls around, it is often difficult to juggle school, sports, and essays. Although stressful, the process is exciting. If students stay on top of deadlines, then the process is less stressful and more rewarding,” said Natalie Audelo.

Although it may seem difficult, it is not impossible to finish your applications with plenty of time to spare.

“I began formulating ideas for essay topics during the summer; also, I opened my Common App account the day it was made available, and I finished my entire application along with my supplements by the beginning of October. I’ve already heard from five colleges because I took action so early on. It feels awesome to have somewhere to go,” said Meredith Hinz.

The ‘activities’ portion of an application can be tricky, so be sure to fill it accurately and with meaningful activities.

“If I could, I would have started my activities during freshman year. It’s more important to continue on with activities you enjoy than to pad your resume. Be sure to list out all your activities ahead of time before putting them in the application; you don’t want to forget or leave out anything,” said Amanda Ison.

Another tip is to write your essays as soon as inspiration strikes, and keep a cool head when working on the essay portion.

“I’m glad that I wrote the essay about an event when it was still hyped up in my mind. It added emotion and excitement that made me proud of my essay. However, I would change how I let some questions freak me out because I wasted a bunch of time worried about the ‘describe your world and your place in it’ UC prompt. Just the thought of it makes me cringe,” said Erica Henderson.

When doing your applications, also keep in mind the value of others’ inputs.

“If I could have done anything differently, I would have gotten critiques on my essays. Even if your counselor can’t see you right away, nab a friend and let them review. Sometimes they can suggest things to perk up your essay, or offer a viewpoint you never had,” said Alexis Kuhlmann.

Additionally, make sure you prepare yourself well for standardized testing, and get it done ahead of time so you can retake the test if needed.

“I wish I studied a lot more for the SAT because it takes a long time for scores to come in and I am not happy with my scores, but it’s pretty much too late to sign up and take the SAT for a THIRD time,” said Katie Donohoe.

And, of course, listen to your parents.

Said Donohoe, “I learned that your parents do know what they’re talking about when it comes to college apps, so as annoying as they seem, they know what’s best for you. If they suggest a school that maybe you’ve never heard of or don’t really like, still look into it. I learned that I love the school that my mom suggested, even though I used to hate it, because it’s perfect for me. So listen to your parents because they know what’s best for you and know what they’re talking about.”

How to Survive the Month of March

Right about this time of year, Presentation students find themselves facing one of the most stressful months. Without a break to sustain them until Easter, these students face increasing loads of homework, as well as the ever-infamous research papers. And as college acceptances start leaking out, seniors are under added pressure. Extracurricular activities are in full swing, and social lives fly out the window. But don’t worry, because these helpful tips will help you to survive March.

1. Purchase a lavender pillow. With all the stress of this time of year, you will find it hard to relax and get some sleep. Heat up your lavender pillow, and watch yourself helplessly sail off to dreamland.

2. Eat some chocolate. You may have some left over from Valentine’s Day, and you want to make sure it’s gone before the Easter Bunny shows up. Regardless of what some rumors suggest, chocolate is healthy—for your heart and soul!

3. Compliment yourself. Who doesn’t need a little extra encouragement from time to time? You’ll need the support when you study for that midterm. Just don’t go overboard.

4. Watch T.V. When choosing a show, make sure it is as mindless and entertaining as possible. Old reruns of your favorite shows are a great choice.

5. Reign in the computer addiction. Have your friend change your Facebook password for you so you won’t be tempted to procrastinate. Instead of going on MyLifeIsAverage.com, make your life average by getting a decent amount of sleep!

6. Reward yourself for not procrastinating on your work. Cookies are an excellent reward.

7. Have a bake sale. Baking is a tasty way to relieve stress. You can even give the money earned to mission drive.

8. Find new hobbies. If you have something fun to do in your free time, it will be more relaxing.

9. Have a party with your friends. Choose any theme you want. You don’t need a special occasion—everyone loves to celebrate!