AP World History is widely considered one of the most difficult Advanced Placement courses offered at Shadow Ridge High School. Taught annually by both Mr. Pack and Mrs. Nichols, the course challenges students with over 800 years of global history. While demanding, the class also equips students with essential life skills that benefit them well beyond high school.

Sophomore Parker Buffington, currently enrolled in the course, states, “Students who are thinking about taking this class — I honestly would say, take it if you’re ready to put in some effort. It’s a lot of work at first, but once you get into the rhythm, it’s actually really interesting. Just don’t procrastinate. Staying on top of the readings makes everything way easier.”

Effort and consistency are key to succeeding in AP World History. Fortunately, the course allows for retakes and offers multiple assignments, giving students several opportunities to maintain or improve their grades.

Mr. Pack emphasized the importance of student commitment, “They buy in, and they don’t look for shortcuts. They focus on developing their skills, and with improvement of skills, comes better grades.”

Although the workload can be intense, the class includes a variety of engaging activities to make learning more enjoyable. From historical simulations to creative projects, students often find themselves immersed in interactive lessons.

Mrs. Nichols explained, “We do simulations a couple times for each unit. Those are the ones they like the best, because they get to engage with each other. We also have a few drawing projects for kids who like to draw.”

Despite the academic rigor, many students find AP World to be a fun and enriching experience.

Mr. Pack also highlighted the long-term benefits of the course, “Reading comprehension skills, writing skills, argumentative writing skills, note-taking skills — these help so much in the future.” he continued, “I love teaching this because I know it leads to their success if they can develop these skills and make their life easier.”

Both Mr. Pack and Mrs. Nichols are committed to helping students grow academically and personally. Their goal is not only to teach history, but to prepare students for future success.

The difficulty of AP World may intimidate some students, especially those involved in extracurricular activities like sports. However, with good time management, it’s possible to balance the workload.

Buffington, a student-athlete, shared her strategy, “I am able to manage the workload on top of sports by trying to review a little bit every day instead of waiting until the test. Watching videos and discussing the topics help a lot with memorization.”

With dedication and active participation, students can not only succeed in the course but also come to enjoy the fascinating content — including topics such as the Black Death and the rise and fall of various empires throughout history.