AP European Hist Reviews

One of the most foundational, impactful classes you could possibly take in high school...

This class is hands-down incredible.

AP European History, as a whole, generally has a reputation for being challenging: it certainly is! But don't let this steer you away. Many students will avoid AP Euro for this reputation, and they consequently miss out on gaining the incredible foundation it builds for a student. AP Euro will prepare you for so much more than an exam (though Ms. Noah's class will definitely ensure you are above and beyond prepared for the exam): it will help you develop critical thinking skills; it will train you how to tackle centuries of history and retain valuable information; it will show you how to investigate history and discover underlying themes; it will help you understand current events, because you will have been taught the centuries-old roots of modern issues; and so much more.

But even more than all of this, Ms. Noah’s AP Euro is simply so much fun!!

1. Did you feel this class prepared you for the AP exam?

Absolutely! This exam was my first AP exam I had ever taken, so I definitely had test anxiety... but when I walked into that testing room, sat down to open my computer, saw the timer begin ticking away, and glanced at the very first question, I suddenly realized that I was above and beyond prepared for the exam. Ms. Noah and the TA's had prepared us for anything, and I went through the entire test without panicking on a single question. I found myself fully enjoying the exam.

Ms. Noah not only prepares you for the exam throughout the year, but she carefully ensures each student is ready for the exam by providing a thorough, expansive end-of-year review. The TA's also sacrificed their own time to ensure that we felt fully prepared for the test. Throughout the year they hosted and facilitated comprehensive content review sessions through video calls, and they also provided skills sessions with timed exercises which helped me hone my essay-writing skills.  Even in the review time leading up to the AP exam, when I had a last minute panic because I thought I had been incorrectly writing a section of the DBQ and wasn't sure how to fix it, I reached out to my TA. He instantly responded, volunteering to look over my DBQ; he helped me fully remedy the issue. Ms. Noah and the TA's are truly there for you. I can't thank them enough for the time they spent coaching me!

2. How many hours of work per day or per week did you generally put into this class?

I tracked about 8.6 hours per week. However, it really depends on the week -- for example, the workload does become slightly more intense nearing the exam (but of course, much of the work which comprised this last review period was optional practice!)

3. Are there any particularly favorite assignments that you found especially valuable?

How to choose!? I'd probably have to say the most fun optional event was either the Congress of Vienna simulation or the Reformation Dinner Party. My favorite assignment was the Renaissance art project -- you can fully employ your creativity in this project, yet will learn the fundamental techniques of Renaissance artists along the way. I truly can't choose an "especially valuable" assignment, since all the assignments were valuable; there's no such thing as "busy work" in this class -- be assured that every assignment Ms. Noah assigns will significantly benefit you later. I even copied and pasted my assignment responses into Quizlet to create flashcards for myself!

4. Did this class enhance your interest in the subject?

I don't know how to answer "yes" strongly enough. Before taking this class I thought I only liked ancient history and classical civilizations. I'll admit that I mistakenly assumed anything past AD 500 or so was boring and lifeless. I could not have been more wrong. The AP Euro content was fascinating!! Additionally, I personally am convinced that if Ms. Noah taught [insert least favorite subject] you would still come out inspired. Ms. Noah's teaching is enthusiastic, engaging, and informative, and I came out of her class not simply knowing European history, but loving European history. 

5. Did you find your communications with other students to be interesting or valuable?

Yes! Of course, this is an asynchronous class, so the amount of communication truly depends on whether you put yourself out there and involve yourself in the student chats and optional extra activities. The TA’s were excellent and facilitated class chats on a messaging app which was very helpful, inspiring, and fun. There are, however, several assigned, written discussions you have with other students about the content and units. These allow for engaging, fun discussion on all the nuances and fascinating ideas of European history with classmates! Aside from these, however, if you don't participate in optional classes/events or in student chats, you won't interact with other students much.

6. What sort of student would do well in this class? Would you recommend this class to other students (if they are willing to work hard!)?

This class will provide you with everything you need to do well in AP European History. However, this -- as with any class -- comes with responsibility: if you don't submit assignments, or slack on the readings, it will be challenging to catch up. As I mentioned above, AP European is still a challenging course -- after all, you are sifting through centuries of content! This class is truly for anyone who is willing to invest a good effort, and -- most importantly -- it is truly for anyone who is ready to fall head-over-heels in love with European history.

An Absolutely Amazing Class!

AP European History is an absolutely amazing class; definitely a must-take for high school students! I have always been fascinated by European History, and this class expanded that fascination even more! Ms. Noah is an incredible teacher with a love for European History; she makes the course so fun and engaging, as well as comprehensive and scholarly. I, truly, have never enjoyed a course as much as I have enjoyed this one!

This class, not only, is awesome because you learn so much, but, you also will be 100% prepped for the AP exam. As someone who gets very anxious about exams, I never felt that way in this course. Ms. Noah and the TAs go above and beyond to ensure their students are completely prepped in both their content knowledge and writing skills. I felt calm and collected going into the exam, and walked out feeling extremely confident in my work. I owe this confidence to the incredible prep Ms. Noah and the TAs provided.

The course is also beautifully structured and has a well-balanced work load; I spent around eight to ten hours per week on this class. Each resource and assignment provided was helpful and interesting; I particularly loved the simulations and live classes! The simulations were so much fun; many of us dressed in character, which was not only funny but also allowed for us to familiarize ourselves with specific figures in history. Moreover, the live classes, as well as skill sessions and review sessions, were extremely fun and helpful, as they, not only, prepped me in content and writing skills, but also allowed for me to connect with fellow students. Furthermore, I loved being able to communicate and connect with other students! It was so much fun being able to interact with peers via simulations, reviews, live classes, and through the platform, in general! These interactions allowed for me to enjoy a social aspect of the course as well as learn about European History alongside other young scholars.

In total, this class 100% enhanced my interest in European History! I loved every aspect of the course! Any student who is willing to dedicate time to the understanding of content and skills, as well as participate in the live sessions provided as much as possible will succeed greatly in the course! Moreover, any student who is willing to dedicate time to this course will, not only, glean more knowledge from it, but will also truly enjoy it! This course is so eye-opening as it allows for you to learn about many aspects of European History such as intellectual movements, art, music, technology, sciences, political, economic, religious, and geographical developments. One aspect I really enjoyed was being able to make connections between events and the ways in which people, via art, music, intellectual endeavors, etc., reacted. It was also so neat to see the ways in which European History affected so much of the world, and how we are where we are today. I highly recommend taking this course as you will gain both the skills and knowledge required to succeed on the AP exam, but you will also become a more well-rounded, intelligent individual after taking this class! Definitely apply for this course, as you will be extremely happy that you did! I know I am!

APEH 2023-2024...

Did you feel this class prepared you for the AP exam?

The course was thorough in providing materials to learn the factual information of the course through videos, lectures, and review sessions, but I felt the course lacked enough application in learning the essays and formatting of the exam. While there were TAs who applied a very generous schedule of mock essays in the month leading up to the exam which helped immensely in completing essays to time, during the first seven months we only submitted a few essays for teacher grading, and there wasn't much exposure to collegeboard multiple choice questions either, which was a little disconcerting because I wasn't sure where my thinking stood in substance and complexity (which are core components of a successful AP Exam..) Although the course was asynchronous, the teacher wasn't prompt in grading and communication, which kind of left my writing progress stagnant. As an asynchronous course, students are expected to reflect on their work independently throughout the year with the provided materials, but I feel better preparation could've come from more hands on practice included in the course. I don't know my score yet, but overall I felt relatively prepared. I did have to do some outside practice essays during the school year to get a grasp on my writing skills, so do keep that in mind!

How many hours of work per day or per week did you generally put into this class?

I generally put about 8-9 hours per week into the course, but it ramped up a bit toward the end when I was scrambling to practice more :)

Did this class enhance your interest in the subject?

Certainly! The teacher is incredibly passionate for European History. It's evident that she enjoys teaching her students, given her very thorough and personalized lectures, and her weekly messages encouraging her students and reminding them of historical events and today's events around the world! She loved sharing about her experience with history and traveling, helping students to make connections and formulate their own opinions about Europe. I learned a lot about European culture over the past 600 years! You will not find a more curious teacher! 

Did you find your communications with other students to be interesting or valuable?

As an online class, communication is restrained. However, our class included a discord with the TAs to share experiences and our thoughts on contemporary events and past occasions in history. Not to mention, it was convenient to ask questions and share concerns. It was incredibly helpful to have access to the discord, and our canvas page had open announcements for students to comment and respond to the teacher. Some of our assignments also entailed discussion boards on sharing our thoughts on reading articles or reflecting on our assignments for the week, which was helpful in understanding others' perspectives! The communication was very open and valuable.

What sort of student would do well in this class? Would you recommend this class to other students (if they are willing to work hard!)?

I would say much of this course is dependent on your diligence and consistency in studying. Reiterating my point about asynchronous courses, it's your responsibility to stay on track and acknowledge your weaknesses. I would say you will succeed in this course if you're genuinely curious about the connections in history and you're motivated to do the work (even work outside of the class..) then you'll do great. If you're that type of student, then take this course!

An excellent and informative class!!

Thanks to Ms. Noah’s command and enthusiasm, AP European History was both a rewarding and academically challenging experience for me. Moving from the Renaissance to contemporary Europe, Ms. Noah’s passion inspired my interest in Europe’s cultural, political, and social developments, ultimately giving me a better appreciation for the historic role it played in shaping modern society. 

Ms. Noah provides students with an abundance of materials: primary and secondary texts to support the course, videos, lectures, study guides, and concise chapter reviews, all of which synthesize the material and prepare students for understanding and analysis.  

Finally, acknowledging the actual AP Exam - and the anxiety surrounding it - Ms. Noah works on different sections of the exam from the beginning of the year. This strategy allows students to identify problem areas early on and begin addressing them well in advance of May. 

While there are a lot of reasons to take an AP course, AP European History is nonetheless a great class to take. It will introduce you to Europe in a very intimate way and through the eyes of a wonderful teacher. Ms. Noah’s enthusiasm alone can make the largest difference; she loves European history, and it shines through in every Schoology update, email, and Zoom meeting. 

Ms. Noah’s encouragement and positivity throughout the year have made this class such a rewarding experience. She is a wonderful teacher and will thoroughly prepare you for the AP Exam. 

An incredibly fun, interactive, and thoroughly well-taught class!

History is probably my favorite subject of all, but this class really made me enjoy it even more, gain a greater understanding of how important history is, and learn far more than I would have thought I could learn in nine months. Throughout the course, I participated in fun, engaging and challenging assignments, particularly the Victorian tea party and Enlightenment Salon group assignments, which allowed me to learn in depth about the historical figure I would accurately (and at times amusingly) portray. Environments like this really allowed for an open setting that encouraged interaction with Ms. Noah and fellow classmates. Being able to communicate and work with other students helped to make this class more fun and beneficial. Additionally, this class allowed for some flexibility. Even with travelling and unexpected changes, I was able to complete assignments and feel accomplished.  

I can't overstate how well-taught this class is, and going into the exam, I felt capable and prepares, and perfectly able to get a 5. Even with Covid-19 and the changes it brought, Ms. Noah was perfectly adaptable and continued to prepare the entire class for the exam. Though parts of the class were time-consuming, ultimately they helped me learn the content I needed to excel on the exam and retain this knowledge through interactive learning exercises. Enjoyable and active assignments mixed with comprehensive feedback and encouragement allowed me to become a strong and prepared student, and my teacher, Ms. Noah, is fully to thank for this. I would absolutely recommend this course to anyone who is willing to put in some hard work and develop a greater love of history. If you didn't like history before, I think this class will really change your mind on the subject, and if you already loved history, then this will only add to that love and interest. The historical knowledge and writing skills of this course will stay with you and continue to be valuable.

Ms. Noah is an extremely knowledge teacher with a passion for encouragement and productive educating, and the assignments she institutes are super fun and helpful. This is a great class and you'll be really glad to have taken it! 

Somehow, this course made me love history even more!

I've always loved history, but if it was possible, this course made me love it even more! The textbook was engaging, the assignments were fun, and my teacher (Ms Noah) was so attentive to all of my individual needs! The course was able to adapt to the unique challenges of Covid-19, which changed the exam within months of the final exam. Even though there was a big change, I felt confident going in to the exam because my teacher and my classmates helped me prepare for the new format. If you love history, and you love a challenge, you should totally take this course!

I love European History thanks to Ms. Noah!

I feel that this course prepared me very well for the AP exam.  In fact, I felt Ms. Noah was especially capable in navigating us through this year's special exam format, given her experience as a DBQ reader.  She led many DBQ practices and gave numerous tips.  

I spent about seven hours per week on this course.  

I loved making a virtual Escape Room!  It was about World War II, which we didn't get to cover this year, and not many students did it as a result, but it was still very fun!  I also love the "Rescue Packs" that we used for review at the end of the year.  They were long and tedious to complete, but they were a great way to review all of the content we had learned earlier in the year.  

This course absolutely enhanced my interest in European History!  In my application to this class, I told Ms. Noah that there was a "gap" in my knowledge of history.  I'm a Classicist and Ancient History buff.  I actively study Greek and Roman culture and history for competitive tests and Certamen, a Latin quiz bowl.  I took APUSH with Mrs. Richman, so I have a deep knowledge and love of U.S. history.  Thanks to AP Euro, that gap in my knowledge (and interest) from the fall of the Roman empire in 476 AD to the Declaration of Independence in 1776 has been significantly narrowed.  I also really like that AP Euro focuses on one continent for a limited period of time.  I'm sure I would have loved AP World, but I liked that were able to go deeper in AP Euro.  This year I also happened to be taking a British Literature course and an Art History course, so often my studies just came together perfectly, and I just love the feeling of understanding a historical event, like when I could connect a political event to an artistic and literary movement.  

My communications with other students were very enjoyable.  Compared to the PA Homeschoolers sites, Schoology is an inherently less social platform.  However, Ms. Noah definitely made it a much more social atmosphere than other classes that I've done on Schoology.  The introductions threads at the beginning of the year started the year off with fun class interaction, and the tea parties/salons/dinner parties we did throughout the year made class interactions lively and fun.  

I would absolutely recommend this course to other students!  To do well in this course you just have to do the assignments and listen to Ms. Noah (she gives great advice!).  A love of history helps, but I'm sure any hard working student could do well in this course and on the exam.