Wow.
I just had an assignment discussing our opinions on sex-based infanticide, and I actually find myself flipping to my AP World History book to find the origins of gender division and gender inequality back in the Stone Age days!
Ahh, the good old times.
I remember all the terms that now float loosely in my head-- from Carthage to Ramses I, to ... Joan of Arc. Ahh, the good times.
I guess in a way, the time you spend into self-studying can never be "pointless". It'll come back and help you in some way.
Better for me is that I'm also in my school's quiz team. While I'm not in charge of history, certainly I can help out the history people with a bit of my own :D.
It's great to be able to go beyond the review book and find the time to appreciate the history :), as cheesy as that may sound.
Knowledge is power, even though I've given up on the AP aspect of World History. Hey, perhaps I may just go over this in my spare time and find myself taking the SAT Subject Test for this... say, next year?
Might be fun :)
Showing posts with label AP World History Miniblog. Show all posts
Showing posts with label AP World History Miniblog. Show all posts
Entry #9 -- QUITing...That's not usually like me
Labels:
AP World History Miniblog
Yes. I'm going to quit self-studying AP World History?
WHY? Well... if I can help it, I would have continued (but then again, that's what we all way right?)
The thing is, I don't have the time. And, recently I've discovered (or rather, rediscovered) my new found love for history because of my awesome history teacher (again :)) -- I'm going to take AP Euro History next year.
Hopefully I would be "motivated" the "hard way" and be able to better study AP World?
I guess this is it...One year ... One gap year.
It is great though -- during my APUSH lessons, I vaguely remember things that I happened to learn from world history =P.
History is great :D
WHY? Well... if I can help it, I would have continued (but then again, that's what we all way right?)
The thing is, I don't have the time. And, recently I've discovered (or rather, rediscovered) my new found love for history because of my awesome history teacher (again :)) -- I'm going to take AP Euro History next year.
Hopefully I would be "motivated" the "hard way" and be able to better study AP World?
I guess this is it...One year ... One gap year.
It is great though -- during my APUSH lessons, I vaguely remember things that I happened to learn from world history =P.
History is great :D
Entry #8 When the World is Crashing Down...
Labels:
AP World History Miniblog
No, my grades aren't falling. (Kind of). And no, I am not ... having some unfortunate events occur around me that the world is crashing down.
By "World is Crashing Down" I mean the expected doomsday I am ... well, expecting should I continue self-studying WHAP.
Why am I even defending my title, who cares about why? =P
Wow. It's been forever since I updated.
And forever since I touched the AP World History book.
And ... well technically, that forever is still continuing because by "touching" the AP World History book, I mean literally touching it and that's it.
Not studying it.
Which ... well I think I won't have the time to self-study WHAP. As interesting as it is (amazingly, even the second time I read through it), I think it's better if I self-study next year.
I have APUSH this year, but I'll have AP Euro next year. Perhaps that would help a lot? And plus, various upperclassmen friends have told me NOT to self-study when you have little AP experience.
OK. So maybe I'll give up self-studying AP world history? But...giving up isn't something I do...
But then, being practical is something that I would like to do (by "like to do" I mean, it hardly is ever accomplished -- but I can have dreams, can't I?).
So I am back to where I started: Undecided.
By "World is Crashing Down" I mean the expected doomsday I am ... well, expecting should I continue self-studying WHAP.
Why am I even defending my title, who cares about why? =P
Wow. It's been forever since I updated.
And forever since I touched the AP World History book.
And ... well technically, that forever is still continuing because by "touching" the AP World History book, I mean literally touching it and that's it.
Not studying it.
Which ... well I think I won't have the time to self-study WHAP. As interesting as it is (amazingly, even the second time I read through it), I think it's better if I self-study next year.
I have APUSH this year, but I'll have AP Euro next year. Perhaps that would help a lot? And plus, various upperclassmen friends have told me NOT to self-study when you have little AP experience.
OK. So maybe I'll give up self-studying AP world history? But...giving up isn't something I do...
But then, being practical is something that I would like to do (by "like to do" I mean, it hardly is ever accomplished -- but I can have dreams, can't I?).
So I am back to where I started: Undecided.
Entry #7 - OK. I am DOING THIS
Labels:
AP World History Miniblog
Not.
Well, basically I had an entire holiday.
And I tried to start by studying AP World History.
Did not work. I was too interested in 1) my English essay, 2) my MATH :) 3) browsing for summer camps...
Self-studying was way down on my list of "favorite things to do". Which makes it not so much a "favorite" thing to do =P.
As I am freaking out about how the holiday is about to come to an end, and how my extra-curriculars will soon bog down on me because there are a LOT of things coming up, and no holiday to serve as a buffer against the huge tidal wave of pressure...
I notice how all my interests actually END last quarter.
Doesn't that mean I can focus? I can FOCUS for once? With no other "prior commitments" to other interests?
That surely is a sign of hope...
But payments for the exams are due way before that last quarter of school. That means I'm either out, or I'm in it the whole way, price, grade and all.
And that's a whopping $90 at stake for each AP exam.
Is cramming really the way to go?
And I've never really been good at cramming. Hmm...
Well, basically I had an entire holiday.
And I tried to start by studying AP World History.
Did not work. I was too interested in 1) my English essay, 2) my MATH :) 3) browsing for summer camps...
Self-studying was way down on my list of "favorite things to do". Which makes it not so much a "favorite" thing to do =P.
As I am freaking out about how the holiday is about to come to an end, and how my extra-curriculars will soon bog down on me because there are a LOT of things coming up, and no holiday to serve as a buffer against the huge tidal wave of pressure...
I notice how all my interests actually END last quarter.
Doesn't that mean I can focus? I can FOCUS for once? With no other "prior commitments" to other interests?
That surely is a sign of hope...
But payments for the exams are due way before that last quarter of school. That means I'm either out, or I'm in it the whole way, price, grade and all.
And that's a whopping $90 at stake for each AP exam.
Is cramming really the way to go?
And I've never really been good at cramming. Hmm...
Entry #6 -- The Whole... Idea of Self...Studying?!
Ahh. Self studying 3 APs.
Well actually, taking 1 AP course, then possibly studying a maximum of 4 APs.
The mere THOUGHT of that. Doing ALL THAT in (yes, ... well, more like 3 months until May, but the thing is, chances are I won't have time [as experiences have very kindly shown me -- I have barely enough time for homework and my awesome extra-curriculars. Ahh, so many things to do and so little time! :)]...
It's just bubbly exciting!
OK. Halt. Self-studying APs is exciting? "Are you out of your mind?"
Well I don't know. The thought of ... someday (perhaps that someday, the cynical side says, is after the May AP Exams that I end up NOT DOING SO WELL on them after all!) being able to answer those questions...to let others know that I have that knowledge regarding world history (the very thought of knowing a little of something of everything! -- That's what I like ;)), or human geography (... no comment, but it's good to know that there is such a thing as ... well, human geography right?), and PSYCHOLOGY (the coolest, but I actually do want to make space for next year.
The thought of being able to DO ALL THAT. In one week.
Now that's exciting.
And impossible, the cynical side of me snorts. (Wait, I have a split-personality? -gasps-)
You know what I mean. So great, now what do I do? I want to obtain all that, but is it feasible...or not?
Well, of course everyone wants their attempts at self-studying the AP to be feasible. So why not focus on fewer ones to do to get a few 5s? Great. And my memories are playing back experiences from upperclassmen who have lamented their regrets about how they've tackled too many APs at the same time.
But what if you're one of those "I understand that too many APs may be bad for me, but I want to study as much as I can (for knowledge purposes, or for ... ahem. other reasons) because I am an overachiever and I can't stand the idea of just studying a few to get 1 or 2 5s because when other people get like 4 5s or something, I would feel like I could have done better, and so I'm not sure if I should attempt them all, or just focus on one, but I really want to do them all! But I don't know if that's possible becuase I've never self studied before and I haven't even taken my first AP exam yet!"?
Well. Gee, I don't know. Lucky you, you can just scroll up and see what happens to this sad-wannabe-overachiever.
Now know that I'm not showing off at all I'm completely aware of those who take 7 APs a year. Totally aware. Coooompletely aware.
But I couldn't find the time, so I gave up my home of "5" APs in sophomore year and dwindled down to a possible...4? (I can hear you guys snorting, HA, 1 AP, big difference)...
Yea true, but I've always been conservative in nature.
Don't know...I don't know....I don't KNOW!
But YOU'LL find out. Lucky you.
(Wow, are my cliffhangers awesome or WHAT).
Well actually, taking 1 AP course, then possibly studying a maximum of 4 APs.
The mere THOUGHT of that. Doing ALL THAT in (yes, ... well, more like 3 months until May, but the thing is, chances are I won't have time [as experiences have very kindly shown me -- I have barely enough time for homework and my awesome extra-curriculars. Ahh, so many things to do and so little time! :)]...
It's just bubbly exciting!
OK. Halt. Self-studying APs is exciting? "Are you out of your mind?"
Well I don't know. The thought of ... someday (perhaps that someday, the cynical side says, is after the May AP Exams that I end up NOT DOING SO WELL on them after all!) being able to answer those questions...to let others know that I have that knowledge regarding world history (the very thought of knowing a little of something of everything! -- That's what I like ;)), or human geography (... no comment, but it's good to know that there is such a thing as ... well, human geography right?), and PSYCHOLOGY (the coolest, but I actually do want to make space for next year.
The thought of being able to DO ALL THAT. In one week.
Now that's exciting.
And impossible, the cynical side of me snorts. (Wait, I have a split-personality? -gasps-)
You know what I mean. So great, now what do I do? I want to obtain all that, but is it feasible...or not?
Well, of course everyone wants their attempts at self-studying the AP to be feasible. So why not focus on fewer ones to do to get a few 5s? Great. And my memories are playing back experiences from upperclassmen who have lamented their regrets about how they've tackled too many APs at the same time.
But what if you're one of those "I understand that too many APs may be bad for me, but I want to study as much as I can (for knowledge purposes, or for ... ahem. other reasons) because I am an overachiever and I can't stand the idea of just studying a few to get 1 or 2 5s because when other people get like 4 5s or something, I would feel like I could have done better, and so I'm not sure if I should attempt them all, or just focus on one, but I really want to do them all! But I don't know if that's possible becuase I've never self studied before and I haven't even taken my first AP exam yet!"?
Well. Gee, I don't know. Lucky you, you can just scroll up and see what happens to this sad-wannabe-overachiever.
Now know that I'm not showing off at all I'm completely aware of those who take 7 APs a year. Totally aware. Coooompletely aware.
But I couldn't find the time, so I gave up my home of "5" APs in sophomore year and dwindled down to a possible...4? (I can hear you guys snorting, HA, 1 AP, big difference)...
Yea true, but I've always been conservative in nature.
Don't know...I don't know....I don't KNOW!
But YOU'LL find out. Lucky you.
(Wow, are my cliffhangers awesome or WHAT).
Entry #5 -- Definitely Not for the Better
Labels:
AP World History Miniblog
Oh no.
School started quite a while in fact, and the semester has wrapped up.
Grades are OK, but that's not it.
I am making NO progress in self-studying! Over winter vacation I at least had the time to read through the various study guides and make some progress through self-studying, understanding and marveling at how much I'm learning :).
But as soon as school started, for me who often has a "not so high" efficiency rate...I definitely had no time to self-studying.
I know I'll want to find some time! And AP registration is right now! I wonder if we can register and then cancel our registration if we find out that we can't self-study.
I mean, because I want to learn more. I want to be able to know the information and, as a perk, benefit from it by being able to show off to my peers with my AP exams with 5s.
But at this rate,...it'll be showing off to my peers either as one who has suffered from brain damage due to lack of sleep or otherwise, a series of 1s, just to mark my great progress.
I'll try harder then...
School started quite a while in fact, and the semester has wrapped up.
Grades are OK, but that's not it.
I am making NO progress in self-studying! Over winter vacation I at least had the time to read through the various study guides and make some progress through self-studying, understanding and marveling at how much I'm learning :).
But as soon as school started, for me who often has a "not so high" efficiency rate...I definitely had no time to self-studying.
I know I'll want to find some time! And AP registration is right now! I wonder if we can register and then cancel our registration if we find out that we can't self-study.
I mean, because I want to learn more. I want to be able to know the information and, as a perk, benefit from it by being able to show off to my peers with my AP exams with 5s.
But at this rate,...it'll be showing off to my peers either as one who has suffered from brain damage due to lack of sleep or otherwise, a series of 1s, just to mark my great progress.
I'll try harder then...
Entry #4 - So ... WHAP ... Eh?
Labels:
AP World History Miniblog
Yes, AP World History (that's WHAP, the coolest "addition" next to APUSH YEA!).
The amount of information one would think it holds, may seem formidable.
OK, the amount of information it holds, is formidable.
But I walked in with… well, currently taking APUSH, in 6th grade covered the first civilizations and Egyptian history…in 7th grade covered…Chinese History, in 8th grade…did something that I forgot that probably won’t help me now, and in 9th grade, Asian History (very useful now!) which includes a revision of Chinese history, as well as Korean, Japanese and Indian History.
I walked in thinking, hey, I only need to know European, African, South America, … Australia…Pacific Island…and other Asian History.
Greeaaaat. The short list that was supposed to prove my point turned out to be a long one.
So is AP World History “doable” for you?
WELL. [And don’t let my “veteran-like” voice throw you off. I am not experienced…yet as I haven’t taken the exam (not even sure if I should) – this is what I think].
I think it is easier than APUSH. That shows one of two [or both, but that’s not it] things: 1) APUSH is hard or 2) AP World History is easy.
It’s actually the former. But don’t let that throw you off (wait…why do I want you to take it anyways? =P Just kidding)
It’s definitely not one of those ones that if-you-want-more-knowledge-and-you-challenge-yourself-kind-of AP. Why did I choose to self-study AP World History when it’s not a “popular” one to study?
Well…my school does offer a lot of APs. Yeeet World History was just something I always wanted to have a big picture of.
I may be broiling in my own naivete now, and then drowning in it when I take the exam in May, I don’t know, but I just always wanted to link those “loose-terms-which-I-don’t-know-where-they-appear-in-history-is-and-what-their-significance-is” kind of terms. (Wow, I am using a lot of using-these-kind-of-words-and-hyphens-to-describe-which-is-not-a-good-sign-but-my-English-isn’t-that-good-anyways kind of descriptions).
So right now I am saying that if you want a real challenge, your school does not offer it, and have a lot of interest in history, as well as have taken APUSH (critical, because apparently APUSH sets the fundamentals for the essays) and/or AP Euro (I haven’t…planning to next year though! :D)…
Take it!
But then, I see the future quite vividly now. It has me holding a “2” in my exam results and quickly rushing to this blog and deleting this message =P. Well, you’ll find out in 6 months =).
The amount of information one would think it holds, may seem formidable.
OK, the amount of information it holds, is formidable.
But I walked in with… well, currently taking APUSH, in 6th grade covered the first civilizations and Egyptian history…in 7th grade covered…Chinese History, in 8th grade…did something that I forgot that probably won’t help me now, and in 9th grade, Asian History (very useful now!) which includes a revision of Chinese history, as well as Korean, Japanese and Indian History.
I walked in thinking, hey, I only need to know European, African, South America, … Australia…Pacific Island…and other Asian History.
Greeaaaat. The short list that was supposed to prove my point turned out to be a long one.
So is AP World History “doable” for you?
WELL. [And don’t let my “veteran-like” voice throw you off. I am not experienced…yet as I haven’t taken the exam (not even sure if I should) – this is what I think].
I think it is easier than APUSH. That shows one of two [or both, but that’s not it] things: 1) APUSH is hard or 2) AP World History is easy.
It’s actually the former. But don’t let that throw you off (wait…why do I want you to take it anyways? =P Just kidding)
It’s definitely not one of those ones that if-you-want-more-knowledge-and-you-challenge-yourself-kind-of AP. Why did I choose to self-study AP World History when it’s not a “popular” one to study?
Well…my school does offer a lot of APs. Yeeet World History was just something I always wanted to have a big picture of.
I may be broiling in my own naivete now, and then drowning in it when I take the exam in May, I don’t know, but I just always wanted to link those “loose-terms-which-I-don’t-know-where-they-appear-in-history-is-and-what-their-significance-is” kind of terms. (Wow, I am using a lot of using-these-kind-of-words-and-hyphens-to-describe-which-is-not-a-good-sign-but-my-English-isn’t-that-good-anyways kind of descriptions).
So right now I am saying that if you want a real challenge, your school does not offer it, and have a lot of interest in history, as well as have taken APUSH (critical, because apparently APUSH sets the fundamentals for the essays) and/or AP Euro (I haven’t…planning to next year though! :D)…
Take it!
But then, I see the future quite vividly now. It has me holding a “2” in my exam results and quickly rushing to this blog and deleting this message =P. Well, you’ll find out in 6 months =).
Entry #3 -- AP World Over ... All?
Labels:
AP World History Miniblog
So I have 3 books in front of me. Barron's AP World History, AP Human Geo, and AP Psychology.
Thanks to my "light skimming" tendency and the inclination to "read ahead" so that I can learn more (and in most cases, forget it all later) ... I am ahead of schedule.
Which one to choose?
AP World History Over All?
I eventually chose AP World History. For some reason! I usually find more interest in the sciences (i.e. Psychology) or at least choosing something easy, not “burdensome” like World History.
But something just made me want to move on in World History that I ended up choosing World History anyways. Time to progress another 1000 years in world history =). Once I get going, it is quite hard to stop. “What happens next?!” – of course, this might not accurately reflect what most self-studiers of AP World History might think.
“UGH, another chapter!” But something just drew me towards it that I just picked AP World History.
After I have had “enough” of world history (usually that never happens; instead, I have something else to attend to or finished my session for the day – though even then, I continue. Again I digress – anyways), I would feel reluctant to start reading chapters in the other two books, as it seems like they are now the ones that are the “burden” – the same view that I looked at the thick AP Barron’s book in the beginning. But I gave those two books a chance. And again found myself helpless in the “plot drive” in the books that I couldn’t stop reading.
Again.
(Not to say that this is an effect method for self-studying … but that’s for when I take the final “practice” questions and of course, receive my exam results)
What to be learned? You can grow attached to the various subjects you self-study O=. Be careful!
Or maybe that’s just me.
AP World History DONE … not!
Ok, in a way, I am done. I finished the Barron’s book. But of course, that is through my skimming-and-not-really-taking-in-the-information-because-I-currently-lack-the-discipline-to-read-it-more-than-once-to-actually-remember-the-information kind of way. Yes, that way.
What now? Well if I knew how to “properly” self-study … I think I am “supposed” to read it over and over again, and then after I am sick of all the content (in that case, it will take a long time before that happens =P), read it some more.
But that’s no fun. [Here is where I am supposed to offer the “fun” alternative…but I have none. Remember I am the nub who goes through trial and error, see what works best and tell it to you guys ;]] But reading it over and over again? No THANKS.
As much as I like the information, it is 90% thirst for new knowledge that kept me going. What’s going to happen when I go again? No idea. If it helps [me], my skimming-and-not-really-taking-in-the-information-because-I-currently-lack-the-discipline-to-read-it-more-than-once-to-actually-remember-the-information method does make me forget about 70% of the information, especially the details (OK, a bit of an exaggeration, but you know that feeling?) that I may be able to actually keep 40% or 50% of the information the 2nd time, and 60 – 70% the next until I eventually know the information and can actually use it in my quiz team tournaments =P.
Interestingly enough though, AP World History is the thickest, most comprehensive and supposedly the “hardest” Aps of the ones I am self studying, yet I finished it first.
Interest-driven, I would think.
So hopefully that interest will last me long. Now it’s for the real test.
I guess anyone can read through a book as they would read a fiction book. Once.
So for someone who can’t usually stand reading books twice (except for the awesome exception of Eragon), the real challenge comes now.
Thanks to my "light skimming" tendency and the inclination to "read ahead" so that I can learn more (and in most cases, forget it all later) ... I am ahead of schedule.
Which one to choose?
AP World History Over All?
I eventually chose AP World History. For some reason! I usually find more interest in the sciences (i.e. Psychology) or at least choosing something easy, not “burdensome” like World History.
But something just made me want to move on in World History that I ended up choosing World History anyways. Time to progress another 1000 years in world history =). Once I get going, it is quite hard to stop. “What happens next?!” – of course, this might not accurately reflect what most self-studiers of AP World History might think.
“UGH, another chapter!” But something just drew me towards it that I just picked AP World History.
After I have had “enough” of world history (usually that never happens; instead, I have something else to attend to or finished my session for the day – though even then, I continue. Again I digress – anyways), I would feel reluctant to start reading chapters in the other two books, as it seems like they are now the ones that are the “burden” – the same view that I looked at the thick AP Barron’s book in the beginning. But I gave those two books a chance. And again found myself helpless in the “plot drive” in the books that I couldn’t stop reading.
Again.
(Not to say that this is an effect method for self-studying … but that’s for when I take the final “practice” questions and of course, receive my exam results)
What to be learned? You can grow attached to the various subjects you self-study O=. Be careful!
Or maybe that’s just me.
AP World History DONE … not!
Ok, in a way, I am done. I finished the Barron’s book. But of course, that is through my skimming-and-not-really-taking-in-the-information-because-I-currently-lack-the-discipline-to-read-it-more-than-once-to-actually-remember-the-information kind of way. Yes, that way.
What now? Well if I knew how to “properly” self-study … I think I am “supposed” to read it over and over again, and then after I am sick of all the content (in that case, it will take a long time before that happens =P), read it some more.
But that’s no fun. [Here is where I am supposed to offer the “fun” alternative…but I have none. Remember I am the nub who goes through trial and error, see what works best and tell it to you guys ;]] But reading it over and over again? No THANKS.
As much as I like the information, it is 90% thirst for new knowledge that kept me going. What’s going to happen when I go again? No idea. If it helps [me], my skimming-and-not-really-taking-in-the-information-because-I-currently-lack-the-discipline-to-read-it-more-than-once-to-actually-remember-the-information method does make me forget about 70% of the information, especially the details (OK, a bit of an exaggeration, but you know that feeling?) that I may be able to actually keep 40% or 50% of the information the 2nd time, and 60 – 70% the next until I eventually know the information and can actually use it in my quiz team tournaments =P.
Interestingly enough though, AP World History is the thickest, most comprehensive and supposedly the “hardest” Aps of the ones I am self studying, yet I finished it first.
Interest-driven, I would think.
So hopefully that interest will last me long. Now it’s for the real test.
I guess anyone can read through a book as they would read a fiction book. Once.
So for someone who can’t usually stand reading books twice (except for the awesome exception of Eragon), the real challenge comes now.
Entry #2 -- Ahh! Overload...
Labels:
AP World History Miniblog
Eek! World History --... I thought it would be "doable" ...
OK, I may be exaggerating things a little bit. But there is a lot of information to cover...notably 6000 years of good 'ole history.
Interestingly enough however, I am also caught up with the "plot drive" found in the other subjects, that is, after I read a chapter I feel inclined to continue reading -- and not stop until I finish the end. Such things usually happen with fiction books that I really enjoy, and perhaps that can be paralleled here.
After all, with loose terms like "Joan of Arc" and ... something Troy floating around in my head, I was and am still more than excited to link them all together.
Getting all the knowledge? Exhilerating =P.
So what we learned from self-studying (or thinking about self-studying at least, because I have yet to start tackling the FRQ questions -- those are really challenging and very good at the same time as after answering it, you know that you would have mastered the relations between X and Y -- and successfully analyzed history. ANYWAYS) is that you should have interest in history -- or else I'm not sure what might keep you going!
Interest is really keeping me going for AP Psych and Human Geo too, or is it that I am tricking myself to think that I am interested in the subject so that I may learn more effectively?
Trick or not, it's working for me so far =D or not, actually.
With the "light skimming" that I am going through each chapter (because I am interested in linking the terms together primarily, and secondar...ily interested in seeing the underlying concepts and lessons), I find that it is very hard to remember a lot of the details, a problem that might become a bit serious as AP World History. I took my "review questions" at the end of the chapter and...
Failed it! Not even "Asian Fail"...true fail.
Not off to a good start. This does emphasize that having a teacher to discipline us with homework, quizzes and grades really help.
No, I'm serious. I would rather have the tests and quizzes. I would rather take AP World History the course -- but then, it's not offered in our school )=. (As for AP Psych, it is offered -- however, I wanted to do both Psych AND other courses in the future, where self-studying a seemingly easier AP can clear space for more knowledge ahead! XD).
It seems like self-studying is not just a matter of perserverence (for getting through with the whole thing), but a matter of teacher-like discipline that makes us actually know everything.
Ahh...so OVERLOAD is adequate in describing the AP World History self-study experience so far =).
OK, I may be exaggerating things a little bit. But there is a lot of information to cover...notably 6000 years of good 'ole history.
Interestingly enough however, I am also caught up with the "plot drive" found in the other subjects, that is, after I read a chapter I feel inclined to continue reading -- and not stop until I finish the end. Such things usually happen with fiction books that I really enjoy, and perhaps that can be paralleled here.
After all, with loose terms like "Joan of Arc" and ... something Troy floating around in my head, I was and am still more than excited to link them all together.
Getting all the knowledge? Exhilerating =P.
So what we learned from self-studying (or thinking about self-studying at least, because I have yet to start tackling the FRQ questions -- those are really challenging and very good at the same time as after answering it, you know that you would have mastered the relations between X and Y -- and successfully analyzed history. ANYWAYS) is that you should have interest in history -- or else I'm not sure what might keep you going!
Interest is really keeping me going for AP Psych and Human Geo too, or is it that I am tricking myself to think that I am interested in the subject so that I may learn more effectively?
Trick or not, it's working for me so far =D or not, actually.
With the "light skimming" that I am going through each chapter (because I am interested in linking the terms together primarily, and secondar...ily interested in seeing the underlying concepts and lessons), I find that it is very hard to remember a lot of the details, a problem that might become a bit serious as AP World History. I took my "review questions" at the end of the chapter and...
Failed it! Not even "Asian Fail"...true fail.
Not off to a good start. This does emphasize that having a teacher to discipline us with homework, quizzes and grades really help.
No, I'm serious. I would rather have the tests and quizzes. I would rather take AP World History the course -- but then, it's not offered in our school )=. (As for AP Psych, it is offered -- however, I wanted to do both Psych AND other courses in the future, where self-studying a seemingly easier AP can clear space for more knowledge ahead! XD).
It seems like self-studying is not just a matter of perserverence (for getting through with the whole thing), but a matter of teacher-like discipline that makes us actually know everything.
Ahh...so OVERLOAD is adequate in describing the AP World History self-study experience so far =).
Entry #1 -- Too Much Info!
Labels:
AP World History Miniblog
Ahh. World History.
History somehow turned to one of my least favorite subjects due to the pressures of APUSH from this year. However, knowing that I already have APUSH in my mind as well as much of Chinese history in, I figured that little remains for me to learn.
Plus, the terms such as "Mussolini", "Joan of Arc", etc are just loose terms floating around in my head -- terms that I have heard often, vowed that I would search them up later, but either didn't anyway, or did but couldn't find out their significance given the lack of motivation.
That was when I knew that AP World History was something worth studying.
Now I have in my arsenal Barron's AP World History for 2009, PR AP World History and Kaplan World History. Barron's was most appealing, so I started with that (check out available book reviews here.
First comment?
SO MUCH INFORMATION! I have heard from many that the Barron's book was indeed comprehensive, which is not good for me in the way that information tempts me to notetake on them, which distracts me if I don't have enough time to later see the "big picture" of the exam.
There are so many minute details that are covered, all which I am not sure whether I should really focus my attention on or not. Thousands of years of history pass with just one sentence, especially in the beginning, where sentences such as "There were the Assyrians, blah blah blah, then came the Persians, blah blah blah, then came..."
It is almost like it is a list! Of course, it is supposed to be a "review" (again see review link above), yet it's just so comprehensive that it makes me want to have an actual teacher much more... )=
I guess self-studying gets a bit lonely sometimes.
History somehow turned to one of my least favorite subjects due to the pressures of APUSH from this year. However, knowing that I already have APUSH in my mind as well as much of Chinese history in, I figured that little remains for me to learn.
Plus, the terms such as "Mussolini", "Joan of Arc", etc are just loose terms floating around in my head -- terms that I have heard often, vowed that I would search them up later, but either didn't anyway, or did but couldn't find out their significance given the lack of motivation.
That was when I knew that AP World History was something worth studying.
Now I have in my arsenal Barron's AP World History for 2009, PR AP World History and Kaplan World History. Barron's was most appealing, so I started with that (check out available book reviews here.
First comment?
SO MUCH INFORMATION! I have heard from many that the Barron's book was indeed comprehensive, which is not good for me in the way that information tempts me to notetake on them, which distracts me if I don't have enough time to later see the "big picture" of the exam.
There are so many minute details that are covered, all which I am not sure whether I should really focus my attention on or not. Thousands of years of history pass with just one sentence, especially in the beginning, where sentences such as "There were the Assyrians, blah blah blah, then came the Persians, blah blah blah, then came..."
It is almost like it is a list! Of course, it is supposed to be a "review" (again see review link above), yet it's just so comprehensive that it makes me want to have an actual teacher much more... )=
I guess self-studying gets a bit lonely sometimes.
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