<p>I picked my tests and I am buying the recommended prep books today. Do I just begin reading them and taking notes? I don't have money for actual textbooks, but should I read Course Notes online as well? How do you guys self-study?</p>
<p>I am studying HG, US Gov, and Comparative Gov, by the way.</p>
<p>Any method that works for you.</p>
<p>I’m self-studying Micro and I just use the PR prep book along with a couple basic textbooks for supplementary material. Like most AP readings, I take color-coded, simplified Cornell notes for each chapter in the PR book. I’m almost done with the book, so I’ll be moving onto released/practice exams in a couple weeks. </p>
<p>Self-studying actually intimidated me when I first read about it, but once you force yourself to start and take it one step at a time (hackneyed, I know), it’ll be a lot less challenging. Good luck!</p>
<p>I buy textbooks and prep books to self study. I do the exercise problems that both the books give, and they really help. I’ll only take notes on important things like formulas and such. By the way, if you plan on legit learning HG, US Gov, and Comp. Gov, i suggest you get textbooks. I got my stat book for only $5 at half.com! (and no i’m not one of those advertising spammers lol) It was used, but it’s still usable. 
Good Luck!</p>
<p>So based on the two responses I guess for you to self study you have to be rich enough to afford extra textbooks?</p>
<p>Well no. I’m not rich. Like I said, I got my used textbooks (that are still in GREAT condition) cheaply at half.com and other related sites. I would never buy any textbook that’s $50+. The cost of all the textbooks i bought totaled (together) less than $20. It’s all a matter of knowing where to buy them.</p>
<p>Alternatively, you can borrow the books.</p>
<p>This is what I’m doing for art history. Mind you art history is a totally different beast than Gov an HG.</p>
<p>Borrowed a REAL textbook from the art department
Bought Barron’s
and Bought two intro to art history books and borrowed one from a friend. </p>
<p>I read the intro books during the summer and now I am reading through the text and taking notes, sometimes I go back to the intro books it’s the text is getting to wordy. I also contacted a college professor to grade sample essays (they’re surprisingly willing to help students with interest.)</p>
<p>All right, thanks guys. I’ll begin reading my Barron’s book when it gets here and take good notes. I’ve read that the HG test is largely based on vocab so I’ll focus on that too.</p>
<p>Not sure if I’ll get a text book but I will read the notes on Course-notes.org and take notes of new stuff from there.</p>
<p>Another question: Why do you guys study so early? I’d be afraid of forgetting stuff :x</p>