Sessions with Sydney is a weekly column by features editor Sydney Ray. For more installments of Sydney’s ideas, opinions and ramblings, check out the opinions page, and check back every Friday for a new issue.
Even a reader would be traumatized by the perils of those four and five hundred page books staring them down. I do not consider myself a reader, and am thus extra traumatized. The rumors, the myths, the legends… The TEST. AP Literature and Composition.
Prior to my enrollment in AP Lit, I heard many untruths about the class. “Only one person actually got an A last semester. It’s impossible to pass that class,” the rumor-spreaders said.
However, the class has provided me with an interesting challenge this year, and I do not believe it is impossible to pass. The structure makes a lot of sense to me.
As a class, lead by teacher Molly Sargent, we read a book, then either take a test on it, write a paper or present a project, and finally discuss the book. I am a more project- and paper-oriented person, as opposed to being a good test-taker, so I appreciate the varying style.
However, the occasional tests are pretty tough. Often, Sargent asks about small details in the story to ensure that we actually did read the books. Unfortunately, I often do not pick up these small details and therefore do badly on the tests.
The papers are more doable. We have a very specific prompt and detailed expectations. Writing is more my strong point, so I usually do okay on the papers.
The projects tend to be wide open to different options. We are able to explain different aspects of the books and poems we read. I find this to be a more interesting way of learning that just sitting and copying down notes from a teacher’s lecture every day.
Often we are allowed to have partners for the projects. I have built several strong relationships with people I would otherwise never had a chance to get to know after pairing with them on a difficult assignment.
We have not yet done a lot with poetry, but we do have a big project due next week, which worries me. I do not consider poetry my forte and am very nervous about having to memorize and explicate a poem all by myself.
Overall, I have enjoyed this class a lot. Despite the enormous workload and intimidating rumors , I feel that my reading, writing, and critical thinking skills have expanded greatly. It provides a much-needed challenge in my schedule and is preparing me for what college will be like.
