<p>From what people have posted on this site, I've noticed that a good majority of users take challenging courses and have a lot of extracurriculars on top of that (which are usually time consuming). As far as time management goes, how are you all able to handle that and still get good grades? At my school people make a big deal out of taking AP classes. They say that once you sign the AP contract, you're basically signing your life away. I haven't taking any APs yet but I still feel like they are over exaggerating. Is it really that bad or are they making a big deal out of it? A good handful of the people who say this are only taking one AP class (Government and Politics). I plan on taking my first AP class next year so I just wanted to go ahead and get some tips on time management and see how you all on CC handle it.</p>
<p>The fact that you even use this website indicates that you’re probably not an average student and you’ll probably have less trouble than your classmates do in AP classes.
As for extracurriculars, I have no idea how people do those. Where I live they all meet on the same day.</p>
<p>Definitely get a planner. Do homework right when you get home, and never leave stuff off to the last minute. If a teacher assigns me long-term homework, I always do it right away because I know in my other classes my teachers will also sign stuff so you do not want homework on top of homework.</p>
<p>My school gives us planners and forces us to have them all the time.
I can’t even remember anything without it. One time I lost my planner and I was writing everything on my hand.</p>
<p>Google calendar. Seriously. It’s the greatest thing ever. I started using it this year and I’m SO much more productive.</p>
<p>For one thing, most AP classes have a lot less busy work, which, in regular and honors classes, is a huge time sink. Plus, everyone on here is pretty above average in terms of academic prowess. Last year, I hang a dry erase board in my room next to my desk, and it helps immensely with organization and planning, but any old planner would serve that purpose equally well. Which AP will you be taking?</p>
<p>AP classes are not as hard as you think. Yes, they are pretty challenging, but if you keep an open mind and manage your time will, success will come relatively easy (depending on the subject and your definition of success).</p>
<p>@hardamcgee: Government and Politics</p>
<p>Thanks for all the tips everyone. How well are the planners helping when it comes to keeping up with ECs?</p>
<p>In college, I mark down all my classes, team practices, meetings, what-have-you all into my calendar. Really easy. Google calendars, iCal, whatever you have that lets you organize everything.</p>
<p>I find it more helpful to have alarms on my phone for ECs because they’re a more time-intensive thing rather than homework. But I’m a categorical person; you might be different. Like for ECs maybe write it in your planner but write it in a different/brighter color etcetera to distinguish it.</p>
<p>AP classes are overhyped. As another poster said, there is very little busy work. My AP classes mostly require reading, study, and paper-writing. Sometimes the stars align and I get completely swamped with AP assignments: a lab, chapter of US Hist, math hw, and a Composition paper, but if you split things up it’s not so bad. The people OP is talking to are probably exaggerating or not good students.</p>
<p>Even with what I call “swamped” it is still just 4-6 hours at the maximum of out of class work. Usually it is much less</p>
<p>I don’t do AP, I do IB but both require skills in time management. I have written several posts on it but here is a shortened version. Have a panner and not only write assignments, projects, and tests, but also EC events too, big tests like SAT and ACT (registration deadline and all). Family events or church(if you’re religious) and any time you"ll spend with friends. This will help you immensely and keep from dropping things or plans because you know what will be happening. Also, this helps me, I have a Dry Erase board above my desk that I write down HW and things I need to remember and a Calander is right beside it. I also have cork board around my dry erase board that I use to hang paper things that are important. Be aware of what you have to do and know when to start everything.</p>