Understanding AP World History

Hey, I'm deciding between a few different AP history classes and AP World is one of them. How hard is AP World History compared to others, like AP U.S History or AP European History? I'd appreciate any advice!

Compared to AP U.S History and AP European History, AP World History can be more challenging due to the breadth of the material. The course covers about thousands of years of human history, tracing civilizations across the globe.

AP U.S History and AP European History, in comparison, are more focused. They each focus on the history of a specific region—either the United States or Europe—and cover a smaller time frame. These courses could, therefore, be easier to manage as they cover fewer topics in greater detail.

However, keep in mind that "difficulty" is often subjective. Your success in any of these classes will largely depend on your interest and commitment to the subject, your previous knowledge and skills, and your teacher.

A potentially beneficial strategy may be to talk to students who have taken these classes at your school. They can provide insight into the specific teaching methods used, the workload, and the best strategies for navigating the course. It may also be beneficial to review the course descriptions for each AP history course on the College Board's website. This can give you an idea of the themes and periods covered, which can help you determine which course may be the most engaging for you.

Remember, successful completion of AP courses can be an asset when applying to college, as it shows strength in academic rigor. However, it's also crucial to select classes that align with your academic interests and goals. This will foster intrinsic motivation and make learning enjoyable, thus potentially resulting in higher achievement.