I took the AP Exam in European history yesterday afternoon. I had gotten fives on the mock tests the class had taken the previous Saturdays, but that had just been the multiple choice, and I was still not very confident. The problem was the database questions, or dbqs, which are essays one writes, supported by thirteen or so primary documents that are provided. You get prompts that are super specific and you haven't covered in class, things like the gin trade or mardi gras. You're supposed to connect them to overreaching sentiment and movements of the period. They even provide you with a helpful little section on historical background.

I have problems organizing all that information into coherent groupings, which you're supposed to do. Three groups, at least, and you have to use at least three quarters of the documents. Under pressure, I tend to get a little disorganized, shall we say, and start writing papers in a very Joycean style. Lots of made up words, and stream of consciousness.

It was a pretty epic day, let me tell you. First off, I had a nightmare that we had been given the AP exam to do at home (the real one, not a mock.) and told to turn it in by eleven. I did the multiple choice and thought "I'll do the essays later. I can't forget them." 

Cut to the Comma getting into her car and realizing she has not done her essays, or turned in her exam. And then! "Turn it in by eleven in the morning, or at night?" Panic ensues. I beg my mother to help me find out the due date and find my exam, which has been completely lost. I still haven't done my essays.


I wake up. It's time to go to school and take my exam! (Kill me!)

I've been studying, don't get me wrong. Well, I've sort of been studying. I've been doing the review worksheets the teacher has given us. I have not been studying like the beautiful Ms. Wanda has, with her crazy detailed time lines and manila folder full of print outs. I've sort of been looking over the Cold War because I am el fracasa mejor at anything past 1945.

( I am a Valid Victorian. )