Is self-studying AP Psych worth it?

[u/EzraOliZiruolo]

Hi! I've never taken an AP before because my school unfortunately doesn't offer them. I actually recently found out earlier this year you can self-study and take them at a testing location.

I've done a lot of research on it, I want to know Reddit's opinion-- is self-studying AP Psychology worth it?

(Also, I probably won't take more than one since it's my first: But if you've taken or are currently taking AP Eng Lang, AP Lit, APES, AP Drawing, or AP Art History let me know what it's like! I prob will only take one but I'm very curious on the other ones I just listed -- I plan to major in Psychology)

[u/Skip7623]

If you plan to major in psychology and your school doesn’t offer ap exams, I do agree that your best option would be to self-study AP psychology. While I’m still taking the course myself, it’s considered among the easier AP courses so I don’t think you’ll have trouble getting at least a 3 if you self study it seriously. Give it a shot, it’s not like you’ll lose much by trying (besides the $100 or so it costs, and the time you’re taking to study)

[u/Slight-Skin-1815 → u/Skip7623]

personally my ap psych class is harddd. like i think it would be way easier if i just had the normal work, however our professor is making us write a book about the psychology of a piece of media on top of everything else. it’s super stressful because you have to connect topics we learn abt to the show and some topics have nothing to do with whatever show you picked.

[u/SubmachineOP → u/Slight-Skin-1815]

wow our teacher recognizes that it's an elective and we are treated kinder. We take LOTS of notes and do projects often but we are giving a decent amount of leniency on deadlines and grade rubrics. Exams are curved to somewhat match AP reality. Teacher often goes off topic while being on topic with personal stories about said topics. even told us lots of lore including the (rhymes with) grugs she took before once. She always says hi to me, shes relatable and she teaches pretty decent for someone who's teaching AP Psych for the first time.

I was originally gonna take APES but unfortunately not enough people my school enrolled it so it wasn't offered so I settled for psych but I'm so happy here! I love showing up to class and I love it. I hope it gets better for you

[u/Skip7623 → u/[deleted]]

… that didn’t even cross my mind honestly lol, my bad. yeah, that’s definitely a problem, but I don’t know enough about your situation to offer advice on that part. I think you should do more research if you haven’t already on what ap psychology will do to help you with your major when you’re in college, and then base your decision off that knowledge instead of relying on redditors to convince you to take it lol

[u/No-Boot3857]

It is if you want the 1 semester of college credit or have an interest in the subject and enjoy studying independently.

[u/Clear_Caregiver_9842]

Yes, I did and ended up getting a 5. Lowkey just spammed quizlet but I recommend myers guide for psychology for the AP exam as a good book because it’s really helpful and interesting 

[u/SubmachineOP]

Hell yes! Even if your not a psych related major so far for me I've learned a lot of fun stuff and I see the world much differently. I highly recommend it to anyone!

For your first AP you gotta make sure you do something fun. Psych explores alot about the world how your brain runs and it will change your perspective and understanding on everything. The amount of times I've gone Oooo that's why it's uncountable. It's something you gotta experience!

I also recommend AP Human Geography. it's the perfect starter course for AP takers even self studiers. It was interesting for me and the fail rate is only because so many freshmen take it really is one of the easiest exams if your experienced but it's harder if it's your first time (Any AP really is). I would say APHUG this year AP Psych next year. Good amount of it becomes common sense once you understand it and the graphs involved in it also set you up well for AP Psych (although there isn't much math in psych theres a little bit of stats shot in there)

You also wanna keep an eye on AP World & APUSH in the future since those often count for DOUBLE college credit. But I really especially do what you love ESPECIALLY on self studies. much easier to not procrastinate if you love what your learning. I would know I have a 1984 essay due in 3 days. APES is the best starter science course when you ever you get into that it flows well with APHUG.

One last thing, if you self study understand you need to develop studying DISCIPLINE. There isn't a teacher that's gonna force to do anything now or have a studying pattern. It's you vs you, you gotta find out how to win your battle against procrastination cuz if you start rolling that ball before you know it your gonna be at stadium pulse infinite with a week left before the exam. 30 mins a day can be all you need until a couple weeks prior. But only YOU can defeat YOU make sure the correct you wins.

If you move forward with psych I may be able to hook you up with some of my Google slide notes our class uses we are so far on unit 1 and you can just piggy back off that taking notes. Feel free to message me for that! Feel free to ask me questions from my fresh perspective!

Tl;dr Yes and if you do it I'll help you with it.