<p>Finals are right around the corner, so I figured this question would be appropriate. I'm good at history, but from time to time I find myself completely forgetting basic things. It doesn't worry my so much this year, but next year I'll be taking an AP History class, so I want to make sure I've refined my study methods by then (as to do well on the ap exam).</p>
<p>what are some good study methods you guys use to avoid having to cram at the end of the year?</p>
<p>Usually I wind up not studying until about an hour before the final and pulling off a 90+ on it. With that said, theres not much you can do except start early, review, and don't cram.
Review sheets work well.</p>
<p>Usually I make a list of key terms to know for the test (wars, laws, people, places, events, key literary works, etc.). Personally, I get into color-coding either by time period, by country (for European history), or by subject (all people are red, all places are blue, etc). That manner of studying I find to be particularly helpful if your teacher is the type that likes giving you a bunch of identifications and having you discuss their significance. </p>
<p>If it's primarily a test in which you'll have to write a few essays, there's less you can do in the way of studying (or that's what I've found, at leat). For those sorts of tests, I usually just type up my class notes and compile them with notes I've taken from my textbook.</p>
<p>I just read the chapter or whatever the test is on, and I remember it all.</p>
<p>Learn how to use the learning curve.</p>
<p>Think of it as a story, rather than facts and names of wars you have to memorize.</p>
<p>Helped me through AP European History back in high school.</p>
<p>Good Luck!</p>
<p>You could always use or make outlines. I have a ton of links for History outlines, Google is your friend.</p>
<p>I think finding good ways to link time periods and other facts (dates, documents, people, events) together is easiest. Remember history tests are hardly ever blank slates (meaning your not going to get a paper and be told to write everything you know about a time period), however since you said your taking an AP test when you see the questions or prompts just by reading them they will jog your memory.</p>
<p>with a history course, I feel like you do have to do MAJOR review-- just spread it out so it's not cramming. My teacher stresses going over things 'thematically'-- so maybe go back through your notes to find the big themes and make timelines of them (like, for APUSH this year, we went back over african-americans, women, labor, immigration, business/gov't relations, etc etc) because then you begin to see history as one continuous story.</p>
<p>DO NOT try to reread the textbook before finals. take really good notes all year, do the assignments, because
a) you'll learn it right the first time
b) you'll have them to study from come finals</p>
<p>Outline EVERY textbook chapter you read really well. The actual act of outlining will get you a good score on individual tests throughout the year. Then when the AP test comes along you'll have something really good to study off of and a lot of info already in your brain.</p>
<p>When studying for the actual tests I made up pneumonic devices for the amendments, constitution, etc. and a song for all of the US Prez's (to the tune of "10 Little Indians" so I would have some basic info down automatically to start off my essays. I can still sing the prez's! :D</p>
<p>Hmm, well I'll tell you my tips-last year, I had a HELLISH (or so I thought) global 9H teacher. She gave us pop quizzes worth 25% of our averages, and huge term papers, projects 15%, so I lived in FEAR. FEAR FEAR FEAR of quizzes. So, I'd outline a few chapters ahead of time, and every day, in homeroom, and before class in the hallway, REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW. It really works. Outline, then study like you're going to get a pop quiz!</p>
<p>As for actually studying, I like to identify/memorize all the random terms really well..my trick for this is to go back: for example, you are reading the text.
You see 1) quipus-string for Inca, say it in your head a few times, then out loud, write it, sing it, whatever to MAKE IT STICK!
2) say #2 it in your head, then try to remember #1, then #2, then #1, then #2
3) say #3, #1, #2, #3, #2, #1, #3
etc, etc, it's anal, but it really works. I also do this with stacks of vocab cards (stack a...then take out all 'missed'. do missed, then stack b, do missed, do stack b missed, then a missed, then full stack a)</p>
<p>& I try to think chronologically...schools make way too much a deal of "themes" to the point where I'm like...wait, what?! I try to list dynasties (for example, I Ching, Zhou, Qin, Han, Sui, Tang, Song, Ming, Qing) or rulers. I think it's easier that way for rulers, too.</p>