As summer break swiftly approaches, students cannot help but feel an overwhelming sense of relief. No more school work, deadlines and most importantly, stress. However, this excitement for the near future soon turns into a fallacy as the College Board starts to administer their Advanced Placement (AP) examinations.
AP exam season is upon any student who is currently enrolled in an AP course and has chosen to sign up and pay for the exam. AP exams are typically held in early May, and many students start to study, or even worry, about the exam weeks in advance.
“I have always had the thought of the exam in the back of my mind for the whole entire year, but now that the exam is approaching quickly, I have to start studying so I can earn my college credit for the class,” AP Psychology student Jaden Winterhalter said.
Many students around the United States not only study ferociously for these exams, but they make it a part of their lives by never letting the exams off of their minds. What starts as an opportunity to earn college credit in high school soon turns into an intense battle for mental stability. However, it is important to note that students are not required to take the exams. Regardless, many students feel threatened by the enormous amount of pressure that seemingly builds as their exam date(s) approaches.
“I chose not to take the AP Chemistry exam this year because I know how hard of a subject it is. Although I expected the class to be this hard, I feel as if studying for the exam would add unnecessary expectations and stress to my life that I do not need,” junior Emma Falk said.
While the high school only offers four AP classes, many students ranging from sophomores to seniors take these classes to get college credits before graduating. Other classes that students take for college credit include college in high school classes through the Community College of Beaver County (CCBC) and dual enrollment courses at other nearby post-secondary institutions. With the coming University of Pittsburgh classes, the stress that comes at the end of the year with AP exams will likely fade.
Ms. Linnea Homa, the high school biology teacher, thinks that this removal of AP classes for the University of Pittsburgh counterparts will be beneficial for students.
“Mainly for the fact that they would be gaining college credit as well as getting more of an actual experience of what college is like,” Homa said.
Homa has thirteen students in her AP Biology class this year, with only one taking the AP exam. She has seen a slight decrease in the number of students taking AP Biology over the years and an even larger decrease in students taking the AP exam.
With students finishing the exams for the final time at Freedom, this stressful time will be a horror of the past.