How did you guys study? I’m just curious, seeing as how my study methods for history didn’t work.</p>
repetition in memorization…no easy way out</p>
Like Plan said, there’s no easy way out. I just reviewed for hours upon hours. It’s also important that you do your best to retain the info you learn throughout the year, which makes reviewing a lot easier.</p>
Just out of curiousity, what was your method?</p>
I put in a lot of effort throughout the year by paying attention to the teacher and by keeping up with the assigned readings (generally).</p>
For the review I reread the book - which helped tremendously when it came to the essays - and purchased several review books and flipped through even more at the book store. </p>
I drilled over and over using the 20 or so practice tests I acquired. Yes - I had about 20 in total. I skipped the essay sections though. </p>
I took tests repeatedly until I missed only a few questions. For each question I missed I would take notes on the explanation provided for the correct answer. </p>
For essay practice I outlined most of the past essays on the College Board site. I would first try to do the essays from memory, then if I had to, I would consult a book for further information. I grouped the documents for DBQs and looked for at least 4 POVs.</p>
It’s not memorization as much as it is understanding the content. Once you understand it, everything will “click” and you’ll retain the information for much longer. I found European history genuinely interesting and that really helped. </p>
And when your reviewing, look for broader themes. One of the motifs in Euro is the clash of the nobility and the bourgeoisie. Keeping that in mind can assist you with numerous M/C questions.</p>
Review doesn’t have to be tedious or boring. Just start early. History can be tedious to study using certain textbooks, yet it can be engaging using other textbooks. If you study Euro, make sure to look at Spielvogel’s textbooks - his prose is elegant and engaging.</p>
It depends on the type of studying that didn’t work for you. Everybody learns really differently.</p>
Read chapter a week before the quiz. Read chapter again the night before the quiz. Write down things I still don’t know before each test. That is what I have done for every AP history class, and it has worked quite successfully.</p>
Make as many connections as possible.</p>
I just took APUSH this year and it wasn’t too bad. If you read the chapters and study the material, it’s not hard. You have to study the material though. Memorizing the dates and making important connections.</p>
I self studied APUSH this year. Wasn’t that hard. All you have to do is start early. I started reading AMSCO around January. </p>
I took notes while reading the first time, and then started highlighting the book during the second time. I finished the whole thing by the end of March. For the rest of the time, I used Crash Course. I STRONGLY suggest that you should get AP US History in a Flash! Using it now for the SAT this Saturday and it is a GODSEND. </p>
For the DBQs, I just read the examples on AP Central. That should give you a gist of how you should write your essays. I also read some here on CC.</p>
APUSH isn’t as hard as everyone says it is, just start early and memorize facts. You’ll be fine.</p>
Bigdream18, if you’re referring to Direct Hits’ US History in a Flash, then YES. I cannot describe how amazing this book is. It’s concise, very informative, and got me a great score on the SAT II (and I expect the AP test as well). Mind you, my AP class was just barely average so I was pretty worried, until I read this book. I’d HIGHLY recommend it.</p>
<p>For ap world make what we all made what we call crepes charts c-culture r-religion e-economic p-politics e-enviorment s-society and just use that to out line major reigions by college board by time and your good with a prep book.
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<p>for apush, i just happened to have a good teacher, and I didnt do any studying outside of class for 45 minutes a day. Got a 5. Probably because I actually found the material interesting</p>
<p>I am very good at history naturally, and next year i am taking 4 social study classes.Here how i study for the history, if i have a quiz. I would do
Reading the chapter on wiki notes and the questions of the homework
After that I read Bailey
And finally I try flashcards on quiz-let</p>
<p>My daughter used The Annotated Mona Lisa and the art image flashcards on Freerice.com to self study. She scored a 4.</p>
<p>in my opinion, the best way to study is NOT to memorize endless lists. it’s to make sure you really, truly understand the flow of history - WHAT happened WHEN, and WHY things happened. honestly, the most helpful review I did was to sit down with my little sister and explain to her the story of America. it really helped me figure out what I understood and what I needed to read more about. so find a captive audience, and figure out if you know what you’re talking about. when you’ve got the facts down, the little details will probably come to you.</p>
<p>of course, that’s what works for me, and you’re probably different. so aside from that, take practice tests, write essays, read aloud to yourself when you take notes, use flash cards… whatever you know has worked for you in the past with other classes.</p>
<p>I agree with the last poster; if you understand the trends of history instead of merely the specifics, the test will come much easier to you than if you try to absorb the knowledge by brute force. The maxim that understanding is more valuable than memorization is true really in any academic discipline. That being said, I studied by reading over Princeton Review after paying attention in class for a year (in APWH and Euro). I also agree that Spielvogel is a great Euro textbook that makes for an easy (dare I say even enjoyable) reading experience.</p>