At Shadow Ridge High School, many students who are taking multiple AP classes have to learn how to carefully juggle their different courses. Since AP classes are college-level courses, they come with rigorous assignments, challenging tests, high expectations, and a significant amount of studying. Students taking multiple AP classes must be willing to put in the time and effort needed to stay on top of their work. To succeed in these classes, students often create routines that work for them, manage their time wisely, and find a healthy balance between school, extracurricular activities, and their personal lives. Staying organized and being consistent are crucial when it comes to taking multiple AP classes.
“I manage multiple AP classes by making sure I use my time wisely throughout the day, knowing when to start my work and when to finish it,” Daryl Ross Tupas, junior states. “I set reminders for when assignments are due and estimate how long I will need to complete them. I go to the gym right after school, then come home and take about an hour to myself before starting my work or studying for different classes. I wish I had known how much time managing multiple AP classes would take throughout my week.”
Balancing multiple AP classes can be challenging, especially for students who have after-school activities. Many students develop specific routines and time-management strategies to help them stay organized and avoid feeling overwhelmed. By setting priorities and following a schedule, they are able to handle multiple rigorous courses.
“I try to stay on task and finish my work as soon as possible,” DaNaya Newton, junior states. “I avoid getting burned out by setting a timer for each AP class I need to work on so that I’m not stuck on the same thing for hours. I also keep a note in my notes app to track my assignments, and I fill it out at the end of each period so I don’t get lost or fall behind.”
By staying organized and managing their time carefully, students are able to keep up with their workload when taking multiple classes.
“If you stay on top of your work, you’ll be okay,” Michelle Quidato, AP Biology teacher, states. “But the more AP classes you take, the more likely you are to get burnout. So I don’t recommend taking a whole bunch of AP classes. You really should focus on the ones that are going help you in college.”
Many teachers at Shadow Ridge also recognize the pressure that comes with taking multiple AP classes. While some encourage students to challenge themselves with college-level courses, they also understand that balancing too many rigorous courses can be overwhelming. Students should carefully consider their options when deciding to take multiple AP classes and make sure they are prepared for the academic challenges and that the courses will benefit them in the future.
“I strongly encourage group work, study buddies, and study groups. I have all my students exchange numbers every time I assign new seats so they can discuss class content and talk about all the difficult concepts that we cover,” Quidato states. “I think having people who understand the challenges of taking AP classes is extremely helpful.”
AP teachers emphasize the importance of collaboration in difficult courses. Having a support system in class can make challenging material feel more manageable and less overwhelming for students taking numerous AP classes.
Overall, managing multiple AP classes requires strong time management, organization, and a reliable support system to succeed.
