How will you dispose of those huge AP books now that you’re done with them? If you got a 3, 4, or hey, maybe even a 5 on the tests, odds are you’ll never look at those books again. Besides, no matter what your score, it's practically summer, and you know what they say about summer: no AP books allowed. And since we know you’re smart—hey, your school allowed you to take APs in the first place—you’ll have to find a creative way to dispose of your now-useless books. You can never do things the normal way, right?
Congrats, Sparklers: the AP Exams are OVER! While this isn't quite as exciting as the start of summer vacation next month, those of you who took the exams likely feel that a heavy burden has been lifted—and not just because you no longer have to lug around those AP prep books in your backpack.
Welcome to week two of AP exams, Sparklers! Today we’d like to discuss a crucial component of success on your exams: what you eat during your snack break.
By the time you finish the multiple choice portion of the exam, you’re likely to be tired, cranky, and scared of the prospect of spending another two hours answering free response essay questions. So you might reach into your backpack for your favorite comfort foods: Hot Cheetos, salt and vinegar chips, SweetTarts, or something else that will immediately boost your mood.
The only problem with satisfying your junk food cravings before you go back into the exam is this: processed foods are filled with simple sugars that will give you a little energy right away, but leave you tired and crashing while you still have a lot of writing left to do. So here are some healthier alternatives that will help you perform better on your exam.
If you’re craving…
Chips: Try mixed nuts instead. You’ll still get the salty, crunchy kick you want, but with the added bonus of protein, which will keep you feeling full throughout the rest of the test—and prevent your growling stomach from distracting you and your neighbors. Sweets: Eat a whole grain granola bar. OK, so a granola bar isn’t as exciting as a Krispy Kreme, but it will satisfy your sweet tooth. Eating a granola bar made with whole grains also gives you more protein and less refined sugar, again ensuring that hunger pangs don’t interfere with your test performance. Soda: Drink diet soda, coffee, or tea instead. While you don’t want to overdo the caffeine, filling a thermos with coffee or black tea in the morning and drinking it during your break can help you feel more alert during the second portion of the exam. Regular soda, on the other hand, gives you a lot of sugar with your caffeine, which will make your energy take a nosedive just as you’re trying to come up with a good thesis statement for that second free response question. Chocolate: Go ahead, have some dark chocolate: it has antioxidants that can improve your concentration. Chocolate is also a powerful mood booster, and midway through the AP exam, you’ll probably need all of the mood-lifting help you can get.
What’s your favorite exam snack food, Sparklers? Which foods make you feel great going into the second half of your AP exam?
In the next two weeks, many of you will undergo the yearly torture-fest—ahem, challenging test-taking experience—that is the AP Exams. Even if you’ve aced your practice tests and obsessively studied your flashcards for the past three months, you’ve still got a big task ahead of you: enduring the free response portion of the exam.
