Advanced Placement (AP) testing season officially arrived at Stevens High School, bringing weeks of preparation, stress, and opportunity for students enrolled in college-level courses. With tests that challenge even the most intelligent of students, many Raiders share the same feeling of anxiety and apprehension.
For many students, AP classes are seen to challenge themselves academically and prepare for college-level coursework. However, the workload that comes with these courses can become overwhelming as exams approach. Students often balance multiple AP classes with jobs, extracurricular activities, and other aspects of life outside of school. In the weeks leading up to the exams, practice tests, review sessions, and hours of studying become a part of the daily routine of many.
AP classes are not all bad and stressful though. Many AP classes have unique experiences and opportunities that you cannot get in other courses at school. For example, AP Physics students create many projects throughout the year. As well as projects, many other AP classes take breaks from the classroom and get experience by taking field trips and doing other activities. Many students claim that the periodic stress is well worth it for the knowledge and experience gained in the courses. “They can be stressful but good way to prepare you” says Briley Morgan, a Junior who takes multiple AP courses.
Although the tests may come with some extra stress, the students have a bonus on test day which is the fact that they are excused from school on exam day. As the exams progress there is a noticeable decline in the number of cars in the parking lot and students in the classroom at Stevens High School. Jet Vifquain, a Junior at Stevens says, “Some of (my classes) were (empty) last week.”
Students take full advantage of the day off. Some cram in a study session before the noon exam slot, while others take the opportunity to sleep in and keep their mind fresh for the test. Students with the 8 AM exam time spend the rest of the day relaxing and taking a mental break following the test. Some students prefer the 12 PM slot because it gives them time to catch up on sleep and make sure their brains are fully rested. In contrast, others prefer the 8AM slot because it gives them more time during the day to take part in other activities away from the circle of school and tests.
No matter the time at which the exam is taken, it is safe to say that all the students are relieved when it is completed. It is like a weight gets lifted off the shoulders of more students every day. Gavan Novotny, an AP course taker, says “It kind of relieves stress because what you’ve been waiting for is over.” Students, overall, can’t wait for the testing season to conclude and the summer to begin.
AP tests for public school students in Rapid City took place downtown at the Monument. With 13 different exams taking place over the course of 2 weeks, students have a lot on their plate. Exams started at 8 AM, and lasted for over 3 hours. The second wave of exams begin at 12, after the morning session concluded.
