The clock shows the time to be nearly midnight, but the senior is still awake, sitting at his dining room table, trying to prepare for his test in AP psychology the next day.  It’s been a long day already with football practice and his part-time job at McDonald’s, but he still has much to do.

His eyes feel heavy and start to close, but he takes another sip of his Starbucks latte with the extra shot of espresso.  It will have to do because the payoff will be worth it in the end.

Students at Middletown High School take AP classes that prepare them for colleges and their future careers, but the work involved in those classes can sometimes be overwhelming.

AP, or advanced placement, classes are of a higher level and could qualify for a college credit depending on scores of the exam and which colleges accept them.

The test is graded on a scale from 1 to 5 and the passing grade for the test is different for every college.

Students want to take an advanced class because it strengthens the quality of college applications and because the test is much cheaper to take in high school.

Last year the test was $89 nationwide and this year the test is the same amount.

“AP classes prepare me on the initial subject, which is the groundwork and the basis for college,” said Eric Greenberg, MHS junior.

Although AP courses are good to take, said MHS media assistant Maria Sgrignoli, students think that some of the subjects aren’t always easy to learn.

Different amounts of homework vary upon course. Some assignments are to complete one packet a night and others are lengthy essays every week.

“Classes can be overwhelming, and once you get behind in one class, you get behind in others,” said Marissa Gouker, MHS senior.

For the past two years, AP psychology has been the most popular course followed by AP language and composition.

“AP classes help me write better essays and you have the ability to choose a topic,” said Lauren Wolfe, MHS senior.

Others are taking AP psychology, AP environmental science and AP literature.

The College Board did a recent study and found that students who took AP courses in high school had better graduation rates in college.

By taking these classes, students are more prepared and learn responsibility for what lies ahead, Sgrignoli said.

“These classes are an opportunity for students to challenge themselves and improve their study habits they will need for college,” she said.