By Ashlyn Miller
Round Table reporter

As the year comes to a close, many students become focused on their plans for the summer, and academics become more of a secondary concern. However, for about 460 students at MHS, this is hardly the case.

 During the second and third week of May, these students will be taking a variety of Advanced Placement (AP) exams. MHS offers 20 different AP programs, from Computer Science to Art History.

 These exams, provided that the student scores a “3” rating or higher, allow the student to receive college credit and bypass entry level classes as a college student.

 “AP classes allow students to challenge themselves, and many of our students here are willing to take that challenge,” said Lee Jeffrey, assistant principal at MHS. “Even those who are reluctant to take the exam recognize the value. Students learn time management, and resourcefulness, and competency.”

 The biggest question for AP students is how they should prepare for the exam. Many resources, such as study guides and flash cards that can be purchased from local bookstores, are recommended by teachers.

 Some students develop their own methods for preparation. Amber Watkins, an MHS junior taking three AP classes this year, said, “I’m using AP review books at home, but I’m also using online materials that [my teacher] gives us and in-class review to prepare.”

 This year, some teachers at MHS have decided to help students by holding review sessions after-school. John Kirkendall, who teaches AP US history, is dedicating Thursday afternoons to students who would like to come in for help. “We mainly try to review content since it’s been four months since students have had the course,” Kirkendall said.

 The recent work-to-rule campaign has shortened Kirkendall’s sessions from an hour to twenty minutes, but he is confident that students can still benefit from coming in.

 As long as students are committed to giving their best, they are sure to be satisfied with their AP experience.

 “Regardless of whether or not the student passes the exam, the competency they feel at their next academic level makes it worth the effort. Forty to fifty percent of college students don’t get a degree, mainly due to a lack of study skills. AP classes help to build these skills,” said Jeffrey.

 Jeffrey intends to set up a survey to get student input on their experience. She hopes to gauge the level of preparation and study habits from the questions.

“I enjoy hearing feedback from former MHS students who are now in college, and I would like to be able to have a systematic way to do that here,” said Jeffrey.

 She can expect to hear many voices such as Watkins, “After taking two AP classes last year, I learned to give my best effort. The more you put into the class, the better the results will be.”