<p>Okay, so I'm pretty much convinced that I need to get into this independent studying thing, but, I'd like for my doubts to be settled before I buy my books. </p>
<p>For all of you who've ever done it, how does it go? Really hard question to ask now that I'm trying to put it in words. Do you buy a prep book and study throughout the year, or a month or two before the actual test? And also, did the prep books really teach, as opposed to reviewing I mean? For example, could one, in this case I, approach a subject with little knowledge of it, read a prep book, do the practice tests, and get a 5 on the exam? These are the subjects I'm considering: Chemistry (I already took an honors chem., but no AP is offered at school), Environmental Science (which seems like a general science course to me; correct me if I'm wrong), Psychology (not offered at school), Human Geography (not offered at school, but I did take an honors geography class), Statistics (just removed, regardless of my fits and threats). Obviously not in a single year, since I still have two to go, but I'd like to fit in at least two ind. studied subjects.</p>
<p>As a follow-up to the previous question, which of the aforementioned subjects would be easier to self-study for a first-timer?</p>
<p>Self-Study isn't that difficult for AP exams. I generally studied throughout the year at a good pace, and then just upped the review a few weeks before the exam. Prep books can teach, but it'll take time. Chemistry is an exam msot people do really well or really poor in. Environmental Science has few review books and isn't usually credit in college. Psychology is a good bet. And statistics could be done with occasional teacher help- statistics seems deliberately confusing at times.</p>
<p>If you want to do two of those, I suggest Psychology and Statistics. However, if you are confident in your chemistry, then take that instead of statistics.</p>
<p>I am a big advocate of self-studying APs, and here's what I think:</p>
<p>Basically if you want to self-study APs, you buy the prep books (and if necessary, a textbook) and you just very much read through everything in the prep book and do the practice tests. You can try self-studying the whole year, but natural human tendencies to procrastinate and such will almost inevitably delay you until Febuary or March; but if you have an excellent work ethic, then do as you see fit. </p>
<p>This year I self-studied four AP courses, and I began most of them in April. Having taken eight AP exams (five self-studied), I can say that history APs are really easy to self-study if you are a strong writer. As for the subjects you are considering, Env Sci, Psych (I self-studied the course in 2 nights and earned a 5), Hum Geo will be easy 5s if you commit even just one week to self-studying.</p>
<p>Chem and Stats might be harder to self-study, but it all depends on your ability. Chem is lab-dependent, so if you want to self-study Chem you might have to arrange to do labs with a Chem teacher or resort to memorizing the results of the 24 or so required lab work. Personally though, I think colleges look more favorably on taking a class for AP Sciences so it doesn't seem like the student only knows theory but not practical work. </p>
<p>Stats seem to be an easy subject that people self-study, but be sure to commit adequate time in self-studying the subject. You should absorb the material fairly quickly if you are a strong math student, but it is very difficult to cram Stats in one or two weeks and still earn a 5.</p>
<p>It's doable. Getting the textbooks is a good idea too. Some people do well without them, but seeing the material being presented in different ways definitely helps you retain the info. =It can't hurt.</p>
<p>A word on science lab: although I've never taken chem, I have self-studied bio, which also "requires" a handful of labs. I must say I was concerned about them too. But my prepbook gave an overview of them, and that turned out to be sufficient for the exam. So, if you can't do the labs, just make sure to read them through.</p>
<p>Yeah, I want IChO REALLY BADLY since I didnt find out about the contest until it was too late...I've got some advanced undergrad books I'm gonna use. After that it's time to use grad level books for my weak spots....overdoing? probably. I'm too hungry for the gold medal.....;)</p>