As the year comes to a close, most students are preparing for tests like the Keystones, PSAT, and AP Exams. There’s a lot on every student’s mind and the year is starting to drag. 

Junior Josie Graper said, “This year, I am taking APUSH, AP Lang, AP Calc AB, and AP Chem and I will be taking the exams for all of them.” 

Those who are taking the exams are feeling a lot of pressure, especially with cram sessions and persistent studying.

“I really enjoy the challenge it presents,” said Graper. 

On the other hand, students who are younger who are unable to take AP classes have Keystone and PSAT testing. 

“For me the PSAT’s are coming up,” said sophomore Lilah Treich. “I’m not going to be here for them because I’ll be in Florida.”

Treich doesn’t take any AP classes, but she doesn’t want to go to college and has other plans instead.

“I plan on going out into the union and starting to do welding jobs, fabrication, and maybe underwater welding,” she said. “I’m hopeful I end up on a Nascar team for welding.” 

Underwater welding sounds like more fun than APUSH cram sessions for sure.

Students who are taking the AP exams have been preparing for these big exams. 

Graper said, “I have been preparing by going to all of the APUSH Cram sessions, as well as doing practice questions for each class individually and trying to study when I get the chance.” 

You might be wondering to yourself, what are AP exams? That sounds like torture! Do I have to take them if I take an AP class?

Simple answer is no, unless you want cheaper and more available options to get ahead in college if that is what you plan to do after high school.

“If they are considering further education in college,” said Mr. Phlugh. “If you haven’t had any of these classes then you’re in for an eye opening.”

AP classes are classes that throw you into the class without room to get caught up. It is best to stay on top of what’s happening within your class. They also have the optional national exams or an exam through La Roche, and if you do well on them, then you can earn college credits.

CHS (College in High School) classes are an even bigger deal. CHS classes are classes that you can pay and take as a college class. In simpler words, whatever grade you get for that class is the grade for the college credit. There is no mandatory test, you just have to do well in the class. 

Some classes the school offers are even AP/CHS, therefore you can choose whether you want to pay to take a test, or pay to keep your final grade in your class to earn college credit in high school. 

You could choose not to as well, and in my opinion I think if you take AP classes then it wouldn’t hurt to do the national exam. 

“You are automatically enrolled with a college with good transfer programs,” said Phlugh. “La Roche has a good transfer program.” 

Plugh teaches AP Euro (AP European History), which offers the national and La Roche testing. 

He expressed, “If it’s in their interest; it doesn’t hurt anyone to learn at a higher level.” 

Life is hard and so is school, and it’s completely okay not to take classes that inevitably make your life a little harder. 

“I don’t take one because for what I wanna’ do after school,” said Treich. “I don’t need to take higher level classes.”

On the other hand, Graper said, “I think that it is a great way to get a taste for what college classes are like and also possibly get ahead with college credits.”

Graper also plans to go to college.

“I plan to major in either Journalism, Political Science, or Public Policy for my undergrad and then hopefully go into law school.” she said. 

It’s safe to say that no ones excited for these tests, but are excited to get them over with.