Things I could have done with the time left over during AP exams

I could walk in and out of this Pleasing pop-up shop with a new set of nail polish and make it back in time before the exam is over. (Photo credit: Trista Verne ’23).

Trista Verne, Copy Editor
May 5, 2023

AP exams are known to be some of the most stressful and time-consuming exams high school students take. While certain AP tests have you panicked during the last 30 seconds, bubbling in as many answers as possible, some AP tests (US Government and Politics) give you ample time to complete a short number of questions, leaving you with plenty of time to stare at a wall and examine all its grooves and paint chips. During this time of existential dread and inconsistent short naps, I came up with a list of things that I could have been doing instead.

Next time I am bringing in my nail tech to give me a full acrylic set. (Photo credit: Trista Verne ’23).
  1. Get a full set of acrylic nails
  2. Watch the movie “Spree” starring Joe Keery
  3. Listen to “A&W” by Lana Del Rey ten times
  4. Wash and dry a load of laundry
  5. Complete an everything shower
  6. Dine at BJ’s on a Saturday night
  7. Crochet a tank top
  8. Find parking in Newport
  9. Wait in line at the Pleasing pop-up shop
  10. Retrieve a Dutch Bros drink
  11. Listen to all ten of Taylor Swift’s albums
  12. Put on full winged liner
  13. Find a prom dress
  14. Listen to Mac Demarco’s new album
  15. Attend an overnight retreat
  16. Escape an escape room
  17. Finish a 1000 piece puzzle
  18. Read the “Harry Potter” books
  19. Re-watch “Grey’s Anatomy”
  20. Go through a menstrual cycle
  21. Learn a new language
  22. Bake a cake
  23. Give birth
  24. Swim to the city of Atlantis
  25. Run a 10K
  26. Sit for a caricature at Disneyland
  27. Learn a Red and Gold dance
  28. Heal a broken bone
  29. Wait in line at Knott’s Scary Farm
  30. Get through a 9-5 shift
The closest Dutch Bros may be an hour and a half away but I would still have time to pick up a little drink. (Photo credit: Trista Verne ’23).

What I am trying to say is that some AP exams gave WAY TOO MUCH time, while others do not give nearly enough. Hopefully College Board rethinks the allocated time for each section to make it reasonable for the amount of questions being answered because I have a long list of things I need to get through.