textbooks for self-study? necessary?

<p>Being detached from the social scene at high school, and having no job, I thought I might as well make good use of my free time. I'm taking AP English Lit. and AP Calc II. After looking at the sticky forum for "Self-Studying APs: Improving Your App", I decided I'm going to self-study the "easy" subjects of Environmental Science, Psychology, and Human Geography.</p>

<p>For all 3 of them--</p>

<ol>
<li><p>Would a textbook be necessary, or would an AP prep book suffice? The author of the thread said Psych would require just a prep book, but what about the other ones?</p></li>
<li><p>If yes to (1), would what be the best textbook, or at least a good one that isn't expensive?</p></li>
</ol>

<p>Any other advice would be appreciated. (Should I study all year? Wait? stuff like that) </p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

<p>I’m planning to self study those as well and am wondering the same thing. </p>

<p>From snooping around here I’ve learned that most people just say to use the prep book. Personally, I think I’m only going to get a textbook for AP Enviro - but I’m not sure which one yet. I usually just search the subject on amazon, then look at reviews then search it up on cc. If the book checks out I’ll buy it used on Amazon marketplace. Or you can figure out which teacher teaches that subject at your school and ask them if they have an extra book you can borrow.</p>

<p>It really depends on your work/study habits. I think the best course of action would be to get the prep books as soon as possible. Read, highlight, and take notes over the course of the year. Then reread the book, study your notes as well as take some practice tests (ask your school’s teacher for these!) around exam time.</p>

<p>Prep book will suffice for all 3. Environmental science is extremely easy, I personally took the class but I also “self studied” it from an old prep book the week before school started and got high 5’s on the two practice AP tests I took.</p>