Unrealistic standards and expectations may lead to students flooding their schedules with AP classes. This can lead to stress and impact the well-being and mental health of students as they struggle to keep their grades up in these difficult classes. This can especially start to bubble up at the end of the school year, when students begin to study for AP exams. Studying for one or two exams can feel stressful, but for the students taking five or six, this could be a stress overload.
Freshmen and seniors have different takes on the stress of AP exams and how it impacts their mental health. Freshman Atticus Hunter is taking AP Computer Science and AP Government. “The exams are making me feel much more stressed and I think that’s affecting my mental health in a negative way but, I don’t think that’s bad because it can prepare you for college,” Hunter said.
Senior Kristina Khrimian is taking AP Statistics, AP Literature, AP French, AP Microeconomics and AP Macroeconomics. “In previous years, I would start [studying] as early as March and follow a strict studying schedule leading up to my exams, [but] it’s been much harder to stay motivated and disciplined this year,” Khrimian said.
Scoring a four or five on these exams can earn students college credit, saving them money in the long run. Senior John Wang is taking AP Physics C Mechanics, AP Physics C Electricity and Magnetism, AP Psychology and AP BC Calculus. “[I’m] hoping to save some money on [college] classes,” Wang said.
Although AP exams take a significant amount of time to prepare for, mental health and well being should still take center stage. Without that, one won’t function properly and won’t do as well as they could on their exams. “AP exams have made it pretty difficult for me to balance my schedule and focus on my well-being, however, I still aim to go to the gym and workout whenever possible to ensure I’m staying in shape emotionally and physically,” Khrimian said.
The amount of stress linked to exam season and college readiness can also take a toll on students’ physical health. It can be dangerous for students’ physical well-being if they don’t know how to manage their stress during AP exam season. According to the American Psychological Association (APA), “Repeated acute stress may also contribute to inflammation in the circulatory system, particularly in the coronary arteries, and this is one pathway that is thought to tie stress to a heart attack.”
To make it through exam season, be sure to take breaks when you need to. Going outside for a walk or getting exercise is a great de-stressor. Make sure you’re drinking plenty of water. Dehydration can impact your performance while studying and in school.
Coming up with a study routine and staying committed and disciplined to that routine will help in managing your time and stress for exams. Most importantly, remember that exam scores don’t define you as a person, so you should just try your best.
