Personal Narrative: My First Advanced Placement Classes

The year of ninth grade, when I took my first Advanced Placement classes, was also one of my most frustrating years. In ninth grade, I enrolled in AP Physics and AP Human Geography. During my elementary and junior high career, I was used to not doing as much work to get A's in my classes. I was ignorant to think those same methods would get me through what was essentially a college course. After receiving my first test back in Human Geography, I was petrified to see my first C on a test. Reality had set in, and I was devastated. From then on I struggled. I tried to find a short cut, anything to get an A without working. Eventually, I started asking my peers how they studied and prepared for tests. I attempted to use the flash cards and study …show more content…
I thought that in order to be successful, I needed to follow what colleagues were doing. Laziness and wanting acceptance trapped me in a endless cycle of despair. Almost at the breaking point, I knew I needed to change something. Finally, I sat down, took the time to read the book and make hand written notes. With these notes, I would go to my teacher, ask questions, and genuinely work on deeper understanding. Through this method I found that I didn't need to be like everyone else. Just because my peers used another way of studying, it didn't mean it would work for me, Through this experience I discovered several things about myself. I found that I remember material better when I apply it and discuss it with others. I also learned that I'm a slow learner, it takes time for me to process new content. Fast methods such as a study guide or flash cards wouldn't work with me, I needed to read the material and write it down and take the time to think about it. Ultimately I discovered that I was different from everyone else. I had to work harder in order to be successful in my AP classes. The style of studying that I used worked extraordinarily well. I started to score high B's and