Getting Real About AP US History: How Much Work Should I Expect?

I've heard mixed reviews about the difficulty level of AP US History. How true are they? How much of the 'it's sooo tough' claims should I take seriously?

As someone with familiarity in the field, I can share that AP U.S. History, like any AP class, does present a significant workload as compared to regular high school courses. It's one of the more reading-intensive AP courses, with a lot of material to cover over the span of a school year, and the class frequently requires detailed historical writing, focusing on periods, themes, and skills, which can be quite a departure from other classes' styles of writing.

The course generally covers the entirety of U.S. history, from the pre-Columbian period right up to recent history. This requires considerable dedication to keeping up with the class pace and studying with a long-term mindset, given that the AP exam at the end of the year will test your understanding of the full spectrum of U.S. history.

However, the level of difficulty also depends on you as the student: how comfortable you are with absorbing and recalling large amounts of information and, importantly, your interest in the subject. If you enjoy history, you might find the course interesting and engaging despite the workload.

Just remember: it's not just about taking the hardest courses, but about balance. You want your schedule to be challenging, but also manageable so you can maintain your GPA and participate in extracurricular activities. Good luck!