As spring rolls around, LM students have many things to look forward to: warmer weather, prom, the Phillies season, and of course, Advanced Placement (AP) Exams. Students trade free time for YouTube reviews, practice questions, and formula memorization. For many, these exams bear significant weight. They matter, not just as a conclusion to the course, but for college admissions and credits. While some students may feel confident in their preparation, others, particularly those who are taking their first AP exam, may still be looking for the most effective way to study. What strategies are LM students taking to study for these exams? What strategies are recommended by teachers?
Students throughout LM are using a wide variety of methods to study, often combining traditional and modern resources. Ali Badler ’26, an experienced AP exam testee, states, “I like to make flashcards for my vocabulary heavy classes, because the physical action of writing terms down helps me remember them,” explaining further that, “there are also a lot of websites I can insert information into and get practice questions.” Anna Schmittdiel ’26 adds onto this, saying, “I like to use Knowt or Quizlet to help me study. I use them for unit tests as well, which helps me practice for exams.” The prevalence of study resources around the school, as well as online, help set students up for success. Students tend to look to the internet for study methods, whether it’s YouTube videos, AP Classroom videos, or practice questions. Other students prefer studying in groups with their peers. Tatum Oliver ’26 says, “My friends and I enjoy going to Starbucks or local libraries to study together on weekends. It allows us to work together which is helpful because a lot of us take very similar classes.”
Despite the vivacious methods of the high achieving students at LM to quote President Theodore Roosevelt, “Nothing worth having comes easy.” Students face several challenges while preparing for some of the most intimidating exams of their lives. Time management poses one of the largest challenges for involved students. For those balancing sports, extracurricular activities, and multiple upcoming exams, it can be hard to find enough time to study. Schmittdiel, a stand-out member of the girls flag football team, as well as an employee to LM’s local Rally House, sheds some advice to underclassmen: “Just chipping away at the studying, making sure I don’t leave it all until the last minute, as well as using all of the resources my teachers provide and asking questions has brought me a lot of success.” Using the LM teachers as a resource was a widespread piece of advice among interviewees. Many teachers provide lots of practice questions and review sessions in the weeks leading up to exam season. Another issue that is prominent among students, particularly seniors, is lack of motivation. Oliver says, “It is definitely a little harder to motivate myself this year.” Some seniors seem to have conceded defeat and are simply not studying. Sasha Romanski ’26 responds, “I agree we have to help each other out and hold each other accountable.” The more one prepares and plans for an exam, the more confident and more likely they are to perform strongly.
Ultimately, preparing for AP exams can be daunting, but with the help of online and paper resources and the experience of LM teachers and upperclassmen, it is a manageable feat. While students may take different approaches to find what works best for them, an overall focus on consistent studying and continuous practice is what will lead to success. As AP exam season approaches, try to find a study method that works best for you. But, come July when test scores are released, remember that a score does not define you.
