One student looked through the window of a classroom and they saw students hunched over in their seats working on an assignment, but they wondered, what could be going through the students’ heads?
AP students take on rigorous coursework in subjects such as Chemistry, Statistics, or even Psychology, Monday through Friday at Rogers High School, but what about the time they spend before school, after school, or even on the weekends?
The shift in learning style from a regular or even an accelerated class to an AP class can be challenging for most students.
“Students taking an AP class must adjust to the rigorous and critical level of thinking required. Many students are used to memorization-based learning, but AP courses demand deeper analysis, and synthesis of information. To succeed, students must learn to prioritize tasks, break large assignments into smaller manageable parts, and avoid procrastination,” said TJ Moss, AP history teacher.
For an overwhelming amount of students, taking these classes may appear easy, but it can take a toll on their mental health.
“The most difficult thing about taking AP classes is mostly just time. These classes are college level classes, so you have to do your normal high school level classes mixed in with these classes that are technically not for you, but you can take them and should be taken. And so it’s a big strain on me mentally,” said Wesley Rodriguez, 9.
However, there are methods some students use in order to arrange a schedule to take on these strenuous subjects.
“I use a planner and make sure to be productive during my downtime like during Mountie time, before school, or even sometimes at lunch I do my math homework. I think that time management is one of the most useful skills for taking AP classes since I’m in Band, S.E.A club, F.C.C.L.A, and French club. It’s a skill I frequently use,” said Vivian Herzig, 9.
These classes benefit you for many things in life, such as college, work, or even skills you never knew you needed.
“I am motivated by my future. I don’t want to look back and wish that I would have done more in school to get into a good school or look back and wonder if I would’ve spent my time better,” said Herzig.
School can become self-consuming, and because of that it’s essential to spend time doing things you want to do instead of school work.
It’s important to also take time for yourself and join things you enjoy such as clubs or extracurricular activities like sports, said Rodriguez.
It’s fundamental to know scholars cannot give up on these classes; they’re meant to be difficult for students, and that’s okay.
“Most importantly, do not be scared to challenge yourself. Too many students hesitate to take certain AP courses because they fear they won’t succeed. Growth happens outside of your comfort zone, and even if an AP class feels intimidating at first, you will gain valuable skills—critical thinking, time management, and resilience—that will benefit you beyond the classroom. AP classes are not just for the ‘smartest’ students; they are for students who are willing to put in the effort. Believe in yourself, take the challenge, and remember that success comes from persistence, not perfection,” said Moss.
