Hello, so I have a problem. I signed up for APUSH and now I’m in the 2nd MP. I HAVE AN 74 RIGHT NOW!! I KNOW MY TEACHER DOESN’T LIKE THE WAY I WRITE BECAUSE I GET SOME OF THE LOWEST GRADES IN THE CLASS. I WAS FIRST IN MY CLASS FOR REGULAR US HISTORY. MY TEACHER BARELY TEACHES AND WHEN HE DOES HE GETS OFF TOPIC SO EASILY BECAUSE HES SO RANDOM. ITS NOT FAIR BECAUSE HE PLAYS FAVORITES AND HIS FAVORITES GET HIGHER GRADE. HES A NICE TEACHER BUT HE CANT TEACH. AND HIS TESTS ARE LITERALLY STUFF THAT HE DOESNT TEACH. SO… HOW CAN I DO BETTER IN APUSH BECAUSE THERE IS NO WAY IM GETTING A C IN THAT CLASS.
You are not entitled to a good grade, so stop thinking you are. I had the same exact situation and I simply read the textbook multiple times over and studied harder than I ever had before. If you know your stuff, you will do good. Whether doing good for you is getting a C or an A, all you can do is do your best. I got an A and a 5 on the exam. Everybody isn’t supposed to get As in AP classes though, so it is not bad if you get a C. Cs are average. Cs get degrees. It’s fine, live with it.
Here is what I want you to do:
- Get off from your computer.
- Go to the refrigerator.
- Eat some ice cream.
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- Cash TLC's Check
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What I learned from APUSH last year is that you have to write completely different than however you write for English class. If you’re not getting sufficient notes from the class then it’s your responsibility to go to the textbook. Get an AP prep book and use it like a second textbook.
Two things:
- Just because he doesn't teach everything that's on the test doesn't mean he's a bad teacher. Read the textbook. My teacher had some stuff out of the textbook almost word for word on tests. If I hand read the textbook, I would have done nearly as well as I did.
- Why is it is his fault you aren't doing well on essays? Maybe you're just not as good of a writer as you think you are.
APUSH is the type of class that the textbook can easily explain most things. If you have any questions, just google or ask your history teacher.
Your writing is probably not where it needs to be, I doubt the teacher would give you bad grades if it was good writing. Go to office hours and ask him for help; I’m sure that he’ll help you. The essays (DBQ) seem so tedious but you have to know them because the exam has them in it plus if you plan on taking other AP history classes, they will have them in it.
Okay don’t hate me guys, but I’m going to try “stepping” in this person’s shoes.
I understand that you’re stressed. It can be super frustrating when you’re not getting the results that you want. But you have to realize that getting the A is something that is earned, not given. Especially in an AP class. Expectations are higher, and since you came from a regular History class, you’ll have to adapt to the AP level. That means studying the textbook, watching Crash Course videos, making flash cards, etc. on your own time. If there’s anything that I’ve learned in high school, it’s that teachers will and can give you material on the test that you’ve never seen before. It’s really dumb, but that’s just the way it goes… which means you have to step up and study even more.
I agree, it sucks when teachers choose favorites (and you’re not one of them), but you kind of have to deal with it. Teachers are humans too and they can’t help it if they like some students over others, but that shouldn’t really show through grades. Maybe those kids are just doing well because they’re doing well? I’ve never met your teacher or peers, so I don’t know how else to help with that.
If you feel like you’re struggling, TALK WITH THE TEACHER. That’s sooo important. Even if you don’t like your teacher, it’s their job to help their students.
Remember this is APUSH, it’s not supposed to be easy. If everyone was meant to get an A, it wouldn’t be AP, would it?
Good luck
And with DBQs and FRQs its not about good writing, its about hitting every point on the rubric. So, take a look at the rubric and figure out what you need to change.
I agree with the above posts, you’re best option to to read the book or if you are like me and have a hard time reading a textbook, look up outlines for the specific chapter. I go to one that’s called apstudynotes.org. once you read the outline, you can kind of scan through the chapter in the book for missed little information. On the case of writing, it’s more like get to the point and answer the questions. My teacher always makes sure we use 4-5 pedligs per paragraph and use CCOT. Avoid using fancy words and don’t too much time on the intro. My intros are using 3 sentencing, opening, transition and thesis. Also if you have to, take a couple minutes to organize your thoughts on another piece of paper. Like with PERSIA and what vocab you want to use with per paragraph.