The Ballad of the Tragic Heroes of AP Euro

If you're reading this, you've obviously already signed up for the class. 

This is good. 

You've taken the leap of faith.

And you won't look back.

========================================================================

Prologue:

"You're here now, anyways, so you might as well just go with it..."

The hardest part is over. You've gotten up the nerve, and regardless of teacher recommendations, you went for it. You ignored the nay-sayers, and whether you realize it or not, that initiative you'd taken- no matter how apprehensive or how concrete it may have been- is the only tool you will need to succeed in this class. However, I hope to give you an instruction manual, of sorts, for how to take control and manage this class.



========================================================================
Tips to manage the class:

"I can get you the three, but the five is on you..."


1.) You will find that the book either really helps, or really doesn't.

• Do not stress over each intricate detail! If reading the course book traditionally helps you best, read the book. If online research helps you best, use the book as a guideline for searches!
• Use the first few chapters of the book and their respective reading checks to determine what works best for you!

2.) Manage your time, or expect to be up late some nights

• In just thinking realistically, you won't magically change your habits. I didn't change  mine right away. You've endured late nights before, so either expect to begin working hard to better yourself and procrastinate less, or expect to rely on what you've learned (Staying up late at night) and what has worked in terms of getting projects done for you.

3.) Some nights, there will not be homework. Some nights, you'll drown in it.

• This is just the nature of the class. Plan ahead, so you know when to push things off and when to get things done. This is especially important if you're to take multiple AP classes.

========================================================================

Personal Anecdotes and Opinions:

"Were I Superman, my Kryptonite would be history classes, yet here I am anyways.."

Likes: 

1.) Challenge

I may not be in the many on this view, but I've generally found that when I work hard for something (Especially in this class) I'm proud of anything generated, and I feel a greater sense of accomplishment than I would from taking a less intensive history course.

2.) Assignments

The assignments are not just research papers and cut- and- dry, boring, mind- numbing, time- wasting garbage. Everything has a purpose, and everything is (somehow) enjoyable. 

Dislikes:

1.) The class seemed more skills- based in the last half of the year than it seemed content- oriented

This was likely due to the looming test, but the content passed beyond my comprehension a bit towards the end [See Suggestion 1].

2.) Kids dropping out before giving the class an honest try

A large portion of the bad rap the class has is rather on the behalf of the students' perception than the quality of the teacher

Suggestions to Mrs. Salisbury:

1.) More activities to assure the absorption of information by the class would be beneficial.

To cite the industrialization activity, and the corresponding understanding my class had of that time period, which was significantly better than our understanding of that of other time periods.

2.) Initiating a higher prevalence of concept maps than PowerPoint lectures

I, personally, felt that concept maps generated a better understanding than a ricochet of information did.

========================================================================

Final Commentary:

"That wasn't so bad, I guess..."

This class will be many things.

This class will leave you tired.

This class will leave you dazed, and slightly confused.

This class will leave you questioning your academic career

And while this class will be many things for you-

Many things even I may not relate to-

This class is one very important thing.

This class is worth every moment.

"Good luck, and Godspeed."

...

"That test was easy..."

"I had never heard of that before..."

"I'd never have dreamed I could do that well..."

...

...

"I've learned."

(AP Euro Class of 2017-2018)

[Robert Gerardi]

- -

~ ~ Thank you for your time and consideration in reading my post ~ ~

- -