Should you take AP History? Many people have heard all the arguments for and against taking this course, yet they’re still confused about what should be done. There are a lot of students who would like to take AP History. There are many more who don’t want to take it yet avoid even considering it.
To get an answer and stop the confusion once and for all, consider these reasons why you shouldn’t take AP History and why you might want to do it.
What is AP History Class?
What is AP History Class?Advanced Placement History class is a course that helps students to understand the past and to view it in a historical context. The course covers a wide range of topics, such as Western civilization and its roots, the development of capitalism and freedom, American democracy, and world history from ancient times to modern times.
The course uses lectures, discussion sections, quizzes, and tests to help students learn about different subjects from History. It also includes field trips to sites with important historical events such as Gettysburg National Military Park or Stonewall Jackson National Military Park.
Students can also read books from authors such as Shelby Foote or David McCullough. They write about important events that happened worldwide or within the United States during specific periods.
What Can You Learn in AP History Class?
Students will learn about the key events and people who have shaped our world over time. They will explore major movements in History by examining the causes and consequences of these events. They will also be able to analyze how different cultures have influenced each other throughout history, making connections between past events that might not have been obvious at first glance.
Why Take AP History? 5 Reasons
There are many reasons students should take AP History classes, and it’s essential to know them before registering for a class. Taking a class that allows students to explore historical topics as a personal experience is an effective way of learning. It also allows them to form a personal connection with History and how it is manifested in present-day society.
Earn College Credit
One of the primary reasons you should take AP History is that it will earn you college credit. If you plan on attending a four-year university or community college, AP classes can help you achieve the credits needed to satisfy a general education requirement.
Taking the AP course can allow you to earn college credit without taking an additional course or rushing through your high school classes. This means that students who have already taken the AP exam will not have to take another class to get credits for their work.
AP classes also allow students to develop critical thinking skills and gain knowledge about specific historical periods and significant events in the world. This type of learning can be advantageous in today’s world as we continue to face new challenges and global problems.
Stand Out to College Admissions Officers
Many colleges and universities recognize that AP students have higher grades on average, and many of them are more likely to get into college than students who only take regular classes.
The second reason you should take AP History is that it will also help you build your resume. The skills you learn in this class will be helpful throughout your life, so taking it now could make all the difference later on when applying for jobs or graduate school.
Learn a Lot About United States History
Learning a lot about United States history is one of the reasons why you should take AP History class. In this course, students will learn about how the United States evolved from a colony to a country, how we became an international superpower, and how our government was formed.
Students will also learn about the many contributions made by African Americans throughout history. They will discuss why slavery was such a big deal in American History and how it’s still an issue today.
They’ll also learn about women’s rights and equality during this period in American History, as well as how women helped shape our country through their activism and participation in politics, law, medicine, and more. These topics are discussed in detail in this course because they are essential for students to understand if they want to be informed citizens of this country moving forward.
Get a Sense of What College Classes Are Like
AP courses are designed to give you confidence in taking college-level classes. This is because they are designed to be challenging and rigorous, but at the same time, they provide a comprehensive look at the material that you will have to know for college.
Taking an AP course can also help you meet your major or minor requirements. For example, if your undergraduate degree requires you to take three courses in history, then taking an AP course is one way to meet this requirement. In addition, many universities require students who want to graduate with honors in their major department to take at least two advanced placement exams.
Therefore, by taking an AP History course, you can ensure that you will not only be prepared for the rigor of college-level work but also meet any other graduation requirements that may apply.
To Become a Better Student
The best reason to take an AP History class is that it will help you become a better student. You’ll learn more about the world around you, making it easier for you to succeed in high school and beyond. You’ll also be able to apply your knowledge of History to real-world situations, something that could come in handy when applying for college or a job.
Why You Shouldn’t Take AP History? 5 Reasons
Taking AP classes is a great way to prepare for college’s rigors. However, sometimes the increase in difficulty can seem overwhelming. Below are some reasons why students opt to take this AP class.
Coursework is Time-Consuming
It is one of the most time-consuming courses and will take a lot of your free time. It is also important to note that AP History questions are challenging, so if you are not taking this course because it is easy or you think it’s a waste of time, you should rethink your decision.
It is also essential to remember that AP History classes are complicated, which means that if you do not have the time to study for them, it will be a big problem for you. The coursework in this class can be very challenging, but at the same time, it can be a lot of fun as well.
Unnecessarily Hard
The AP course has been designed to test students’ knowledge of the subject in depth. It is not intended to be a general education course but rather a specific course focusing on the major themes and issues in American History. It should be noted that many people who take this test do so because they want to earn college credit for their efforts.
They are not interested in learning about History; instead, they want to learn about something that will help them get into college. While this may seem a good thing at first glance, it has some significant drawbacks.
Many students struggle with this subject because they don’t understand what they’re supposed to do or how they’re supposed to do it correctly. This can make it difficult for them to focus on their studies, making them fail school later on down the road if they don’t get enough help soon enough.
Broad Scope of the Course
AP History is a course that requires students to have a wide range of knowledge and understanding. Students should be able to research and discuss historical topics that are relevant to their lives.
The course is broad in scope, covering the entire history of humankind from the beginning of time up until today. This means you cannot expect to take one class and understand everything about the course material. Instead, you should take AP History as a whole to learn as much as possible about this subject.
Even though AP History covers various topics, it does not mean that it can be taken lightly or doesn’t require much work from students. Many different kinds of assignments are needed for each course section, which will require more work than just taking notes in class.
Exam is Expensive
The cost of the AP History exam and the cost of taking AP classes add up to a lot of money that students have to pay for college. Some students must take out loans or work multiple jobs to afford these classes. This may be hard for some students who don’t have extra money lying around or parents who can help them out with their tuition.
Many Selective Schools Don’t Take AP Credit
Most high school students in the United States often require AP classes. These classes can be used to help you get into college, as well as increase your chances of getting a scholarship.
It will give you more freedom to explore other subjects and interests without worrying about taking extra credits. However, there are some situations where taking an AP class isn’t worth it. For example, if you’re planning on attending a state university or community college, you’re probably better off taking a course at that level anyway.
Which AP History Should You Take?
When taking AP courses in History, there can be a great deal of confusion about which course will be best for you. Many students try to take an AP class in the same area of History but are always surprised at how different they are and how much more challenging it is. Below are some of the AP History classes you must consider taking.
United States History
The AP United States History course is one of the most popular courses among students and educators. This course covers everything from our country’s founding to modern-day politics and culture. One of the benefits of taking AP US History is it offers an opportunity for students to learn about some of the most critical events in American History.
The AP United States History course includes many different topics, including:
- The Constitution and Its Significance
- The Civil War and Reconstruction
- The Industrial Revolution
- Immigration and Slavery
- World War I and II
Human Geography
It is not only a course that teaches you about human geography. It also introduces you to the world around you by giving you an understanding of how people live in different parts of the world.
Human geography is the study of human activities, population, and cultures. It deals with the physical features and resources, the environment, and societies of a region or continent.
The information gathered by geographers helps them understand what makes a place unique, what makes it attractive for people to live there, and why people choose to move into certain areas rather than others.
World History
World History is one of the AP History courses you must take. It covers the significant events in world history from ancient times to the present. This course will help you understand the causes, duration, and consequences of historical events shaping our world.
The course covers all continents, from Europe to Asia and Africa to Oceania. This would be taught from a chronological perspective as well as from an economic perspective by looking at how societies developed in different parts of the world over time.
The emphasis would be placed on examining how societies changed over time through examples of leaders who made profound changes in their societies or through examining how economic systems have changed over time in different parts of the world.
United States Government and Politics
In this course, you will learn about how the government works, who controls it and how it affects people’s lives. It also discusses how laws are made in the United States. This course will better understand how our government operates and why we have such a solid democratic system.
Wrapping Things Up: Should You Take AP History? Why and Why Not?
Taking AP History is beneficial because you will be challenged, learn valuable lessons that help you understand the past, and become more prepared for college. If high school students were interested in learning about history, they would study on their own anyway.
However, taking AP History does have its drawbacks. Most high schools only offer a fraction of these classes. Taking AP classes can also cause stress because of the pressure to perform well on tests and being held to higher expectations than other students.
