<p>hi im taking ap us this year and i feel its really difficult. the teacher always calls on me and i dont know what to say. i want to study the material ahead of time but i dont know how to. i also have a test coming up this wed. and i dont know how to study. can i get some advice on how u guys study for exams? besides reading the text book which takes really long, what else should i do? i really need help. i appreciate ur help! thx.</p>
<p>it's really simple. I never studied for the exams but i still got an A and a five. Just READ the textbook and u'll know everything u need to know.</p>
<p>Here's my personal experience (not much, since I'm taking the class right now):
1. Read the text for the BIG picture. I know you must be hearing this right now, but it helps. If you need more help, read out loud and talk to yourself after a page or two to see if you can explain what you learned (my family thinks I'm insane when I do this, as I study in a small room and talk out loud sporadically).</p>
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<li><p>Read the text and take notes of your reading BEFORE the day the teacher covers the material. Then, during classtime, take notes of what the teacher says alongside your personal notes. Compare, contrast, review, and recite.</p></li>
<li><p>Ask questions. It's better to get smarter than to stay dumb. Some of your "smart" classmates may laugh or smirk at a "stupid" question, but ignore them. Quite frankly, asking a question can be the smartest thing you can do in life.</p></li>
<li><p>Talk to your classmates. Don't be afraid to approach anyone who you think is "above" your intelligence level. Friends can explain things much more clearly than teachers. Also, you may occasionally need help on homework, exam explanations after taking them, etc.</p></li>
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<p>What saved me in APUSH was just what greencloth suggested. I read the text ahead of time, and took notes on it. Then during lectures I added to my notes with things the teacher said. </p>
<p>Also, my textbook (America: A Narrative History) had a website that had a bunch of stuff on it like chapter outlines, flashcards, and practice quizzes. It was really useful for studying. You may want to google your book and see if you can find anything (I think sites like this are pretty common, because my AP Euro book this year also has one).</p>