AP season is very much upon us and all you newbies, or veterans, are probably frantically trying to think of ways to do well on your tests this upcoming May (regardless of if you’ve paid attention in class all year). Luckily there’s me, to answer all your thoughts and prayers, so buckle up while I give the fruits of my labor.

Study groups – Do you need an excuse to sit at Compass Coffee with your friends? Here you go! Study groups are a good and collaborative way to make studying not feel like drowning. I highly suggest this method if you and your friends can stay talking about the same topic for over five minutes. 

Use AP classroom – I’ve heard many people credit their prized 5s on the AP Human Geography exam to AP classroom. It usually has a practice multiple choice test for every unit so go ham. 

Chew the same flavor gum while studying and while taking the exam – Who knew? It’s a psychological thing (I think). It makes sense, you pop in a piece of Trident and are reminded of those restless nights you spent going over the Jacksonian Administration.

Cram – An all too familiar method for far too many of us. It’s less of a tip or trick and more a reminder of your inevitable fate. Good luck in May!

Flashcards – Whether it be from Quizlet or the good old handmade version, you can never go wrong with a nice long set of flashcards. Make sure to match the words to the definitions, and the definitions to the words. That’s how they get you.

Review your notes – Last but certainly not least, review the god forsaken set of notes you’ve probably been forced to write all year. Whether they’ve been accumulated from friends of friends or from your very own hard labor, put them to some use and give them a look over. Your fingers (and heart) might start to hurt from scrolling through OneNote for so long, but it’ll be worth it come exam time.

There you have it folks. I’m sure there are many more possible methods to the madness that comes with preparing for these dreadful tests, but you take what you can get, and you use it wisely. It’ll be worth it come July 6 when College Board gives all the validation (or humbling) you’ve ever wished for, and don’t forget to credit me if you just so happen to score a five.