Being a student of AP Chemistry at North has come with its regrets and pains, but also with its joys and gifts as well. As a seasoned, hardcore chemist, here is an (almost) complete guide to navigating AP Chemistry at Naperville North High School. 

 

 

• Test Days for AP Chem Students are equally stressful and fun

 

1. 1. 1. One of the more enjoyable aspects of AP Chemistry is the adrenaline rush that us nerds get the period before our big test. Witnessing brilliant, quirky chem students gather to discuss the test (while honoring academic integrity of course) is a truly majestic sight of its own. “How was the test? Was it hard? What was on the test, bro? Should I be worried?”. As we frantically flip through endless pages of notes and pretend (mostly) to be panicked and worried, there is an unspoken thrill. Being a part of an especially unique group of minds is a remarkable feeling. 

• Beware! Do not miss a test–EVER!

1. 1. 1. You have been warned! Even if you are sick, do not miss that chem test! You must take that test at all costs! If you are unwise and choose to ignore this sagely advice, you will pay a pretty price for your arrogance! Mrs. Brucker (the lone AP Chem Teacher) is notorious for whipping up legendarily adverse makeup tests that are destined to bring even the sharpest students to their knees! No joke, you will get a 50% if you are forced to take a makeup exam. Please be a good AP student and don’t ever, EVER, miss a chem test! Seriously though. 

 

• Mastering Chemistry is a Gigantic Meme

 

1. 1. 1. For every unit, we have a Mastering Chemistry assignment due the night before the test, which is basically a problem set that takes literally FOREVER. The Mastering Chemistry dashboard displays the the estimated completion time and it is not surprising to see the comical “4 hours. You may want to break this work up and complete it over multiple sessions”. Yeah… except most of us do the Mastering Chemistry assignment the night before the test. It’s fine though, no worries, it’s only 5% of your grade. As an AP Chemistry student, you will feel like a total BA and legend when you blow off the Mastering Chemistry assignment and ace the test the next day. Major swag. In all honesty, Mastering Chemistry is very useful and helps teach concepts that pop up on the tests. So, have fun doing your mastering chem (or not). 

 

• Textbook Reading is a Joke

 

1. 1. 1. No actually reads the textbook. We just don’t. It’s not because we’re lazy. I mean, sometimes we are. More importantly, it’s because we ain’t got time for that. The Chapters are like 20, 30 pages long and it takes hours to read them and take good notes. Why do this when our teacher provides us with student notes? Big brain play, my friends. Truthfully, the student lecture notes we have are sufficient in preparing us for the tests most of the time, but reading the textbook and researching online doesn’t hurt one bit. 

 

• The Labs are no-stress and free points

 

1. 1. 1. During my time at North in stem classes, I’ve been in some pretty high pressure, stressful lab environments. AP Chemistry is not one of those classes. The procedures are laid out for you and are fairly simple. The Advanced Study Assignments (basically lab analysis questions) are manageable and collecting data and executing the labs are intuitive and fun! Even if you slip up and get bad data, there’s usually always someone in the class who is willing to share their data with you.

•  Lab Equipment?

1. 1. 1. Burette, pipette, erlenmeyer flask, test tube? What’s the difference? We don’t know either… 

 

• Arguing for points back on a quiz or test is a welcomed sport

 

1. 1. 1. You can bet that after we all get our quizzes or tests back, a long line is bound to form in front of Mrs. Brucker’s desk. Watching everyone argue passionately for a few points back is just plain funny. The witty back and forth between teacher and student arguing over points is like watching an interaction between hagglers in an open market. It’s a tradition. It’s a way of life. You might as well try your hand and take a chance at getting a few points back.

 

• Mr. Rowzee is a frequent visitor 

 

1. 1. Mr. Rowzee (the genius physics teacher) frequently drops in on our class to all of our delight. Mrs. Brucker comically pretends to despise his interruptions. Although the class conversation can fluidly transition from chemistry to literally any random topic in a moment, AP Chemistry is never dull and always a fun time. 

 

At times, you may be kicking yourself and asking yourself why you even decided to take AP Chemistry in the first place, but most of the time you will enjoy the experience. No, we don’t all push up our glasses, snort, and go crazy over covalent bonds. We don’t really blow anything up or learn how to make explosions in the lab. We probably could if we tried, but we won’t because we’re good students. The thing about us is that we are genuinely excited by the pursuit of knowledge and the endless possibilities of chemistry, in the lab and in the world. And such is the AP Chemistry student guide. Always remember, Ammonia is NH3!