It's the day of judgment. The day when you find if all your effort in taking those killer classes have paid off. You'll be logging into CollegeBoard hours before 8 a.m. with hesitant fingers, asking yourself: Do I really want to look at my score or should I wait until I'm mentally ready? Should I just never look at them until I have to for college applications?
Well, whatever you're feeling or thinking that day, just remember these nine things.
1. Get ready.
You're in for it.
2. Take a deep breath.
It's probably the most basic advice someone could ever give you, but you'll need it – trust me.
3. Have your username and password perfectly memorized.
When that clock hits 8 a.m., and you don't even know what your login information is, you'll be freaking out. Frustrated. Scrambling around for that little piece of paper you know you put your password on. Or you'll be requesting a password or username change. You do not want to waste time trying to figure all that stuff out.
4. That number is not worth your tears.
Unless you're crying out of joy for passing with flying colors.
5. Likewise, that number doesn't define you.
No matter how much anyone else might be pressuring you to get that perfect five (or six, if you're in studio art), your worth isn't in the number you get.
6. Just because you get below a three doesn't mean you're doomed for college.
My AP Lang teacher's son received a two on his Lang exam and was still able to get into a pretty prestigious school. That one screw up isn't going to kill you.
7. Don't compare yourself with others' scores.
Just quit social media, texting and whatnot for that day and ignore everyone who asks you for your score(s). You don't need to tell them, and you don't need to compare yourself with them. It's a piece of advice you've probably heard thousands of times, but really. Take it.
8. Even if you receive a three, congrats!
There's a reason why they're called "Advanced Placement" classes. No matter how much some people might claim some as "joke" classes, you still had to study hard for them, right? Passing is enough, love.
9. You made it!
Now, go and treat yourself.