Which AP courses are best for self-study?

Hey everyone, I'm already taking a few AP classes at school, but I'm considering self-studying for one or two additional ones, as I'm really ambitious and want to challenge myself. Which APs do you think are manageable to self-study and which ones should I avoid attempting on my own?

Hey there! It's great that you're ambitious and looking to challenge yourself. When it comes to self-studying AP courses, some subjects may be more manageable to tackle on your own, while others might be quite tricky. However, remember that this can differ depending on your personal strengths, interests, and study habits.

Some typically manageable AP courses for self-study include:

1. AP Human Geography: This subject has a lower workload compared to other AP classes, and the content is commonly seen as more accessible. Many students find it interesting and applicable to real-world issues.

2. AP Psychology: The course is mostly memorization of terms, concepts, and famous psychologists. With a good prep book and consistent studying, you can do well on the AP exam.

3. AP Environmental Science: This course covers basic scientific concepts and principles applied to environmental issues. It is considered one of the easier science APs to self-study for if you have a strong foundation in general science.

4. AP Microeconomics and AP Macroeconomics: These subjects build on basic economic principles and theories, and if you're comfortable with math and logical reasoning, you might find them manageable for self-study.

When self-studying, it's advisable to avoid AP courses that require substantial lab work or elaborate projects, as these can be hard to replicate outside of a classroom setting. Some examples include AP Chemistry, AP Biology, and AP Physics. Additionally, AP courses with heavy content like AP US History, AP European History, and AP World History can be quite challenging to self-study, especially if you're already taking other demanding AP classes.

Ultimately, the best AP course to self-study will depend on your interests, strengths, and the resources available to you (such as prep books, online lectures, and guidance from teachers and peers). Be sure to carefully evaluate your capacity to take on additional work before diving into self-studying for an AP course, and remember that quality is more important than quantity. Good luck!