As the school year comes to a close and summer is on everyone’s mind, the De Soto High School students’ daydreams of white sandy beaches and crashing blue ocean waves is rudely awakened by finals and Advanced Placement tests.

Advanced Placement, or AP classes are a tougher and more challenging alternative to the required core classes. Students who take AP classes and pass the test are rewarded with college credit.

AP testing is taking place from May 2 – May 13.

“I think AP testing is a really good way for students to earn college credit and I think it motivates kids to study and actually understand the material so they will receive a high score on the test,” junior Gabby Mallozzi said.

AP tests are not like regular tests where you can barely look at the study guide and manage to get away with a B, these tests require lots and lots of studying.

“I went out and got prep books for each of my tests and they have a lot of helpful information, like vocab terms you need to know or techniques for studying and then I put together a schedule for what I was going to study, what days [to study] and tried to get in as much information as I could before the test,” Mallozzi said.

AP classes are offered to juniors and seniors, though one AP class is offered to sophomores: AP European History.

“I have been watching so many AP European history review videos it is not even funny. I watch about three to three and a half hours every single day for the last two weeks,” sophomore Ben Pickert said.

Some students sweat nervously in anticipation of the dreaded AP tests while others are cheering that their classes are drawing to an end.

“I am nervous in the way that I do not want to fail. I want to get a four or a five, but if I do not [receive a four or five] it is also a very huge learning experience because this is my first AP class in general and everyone [in AP European history] is having a serious learning curve, so if I do not do so great this year, I am going to know what to expect for next year, for when I take AP US History,” Pickert said.

Although the tests may be difficult, Pickert is turning the experience into a positive one.

Mallozzi has advice for those looking into the AP track.

“Definitely do not wait until the last minute to study for your AP tests and review everything, especially the stuff from the beginning of the year because I know that is what I had the most trouble relearning because it was so long ago and I have spent the most time on the most recent information. Do not procrastinate when you are trying to study for your AP tests,” Mollazzi said.