Dear AP Euro student,
You’re probably terrified right now of the year of AP Euro you’re about to begin. I was in your shoes a year ago, but since then AP Euro became one of my favorite classes. I’ve learned so much this year and actually had a lot of fun, so the following is my advice on how to have a successful year in this class.
Don’t expect to be perfect right off the bat. I know the first couple of weeks are going to be hard to adjust, but I promise you, if you stick with this class and work hard, at the end of the year you’ll be glad you took AP Euro. Do not drop out! It’s worth it when at the end of the year you rock the final and the AP test and feel so incredibly accomplished. Just work hard, try not to procrastinate, and don’t be scared. Mr. Freiler will tell you, he doesn’t want you to do horribly or fail, he’s there to help and will do his absolute best to see that you succeed.
On that note, don’t be afraid of Mr. Freiler, he’s a great teacher. I know everyone says he’s a hard teacher, and that’s true, but you’ll learn so much by challenging yourself. He also has a great sense of humor and treats you with respect. At the beginning of the year, I was extremely intimidated by Mr. Freiler, but he has become my favorite teacher. He always has hilarious anecdotes and stories to go along with lessons, which makes learning fun.
The first thing that you should do is get the review book, a.k.a the Freible. It’s definitely called the Freible for a reason, as it sums up almost everything you’ll need to know this year. It also helps a lot with the “big picture” information, which is very important for this class. It’s also important to read the syllabus for each unit, as it guides you through the unit and provides key information that you could be tested on. The reading that you are assigned in the textbook is substantial, but it’s really important to read. Mr. Freiler gives you surprise clicker quizzes on the reading, so it’s good to know the information. If you don’t have time to read every night during the week, catch up on the weekends. Another thing that helped me was to fill out the key terms worksheets that go with every unit while doing the reading. It saves time, and by the end of the unit you’ll have a good study guide to review with.
It’s also very important to participate in class, as at the end of each quarter you get a participation grade that has the potential to change a grade from a B to an A, or vice versa. Don’t be afraid to answer a question, even if you think you’re wrong. Something else that I advise you to do is to do the extra credit over spring and winter break. Extra credit isn’t offered that often, and it can boost your grade a lot.
At the end of the year, you’ll take the AP test, which is a test that includes everything you will learn this year. The weekend before that is the final for the class, which is basically a dry run for the AP test. You’ll have to write a DBQ, 2 FRQs, and answer 80 multiple choice uestions. Although this sounds impossible, it’s not as bad as you think. Don’t doubt yourself! If you study hard and also work hard during the year, you’ll do well. The feeling of relief, accomplishment, and pride you’ll feel when you’re done is so rewarding.
Good luck!
Abby Cole, ‘16

Dear AP Euro Students,
Congrats on entering (what I assume to be) your first AP class! To begin with, you are very fortunate to have Mr. Freiler be your AP Euro guide (but for real, he knows basically everything). I’m here to give you what I find to be important tidbits of advice (I have a top 5 for you!):
1.
This may sound trivial and/or obvious, but do the homework (the reading) every night. It helps solidify your understanding. While the Freible is epicly awesome, the textbook is also a very good resource that you all have at your disposal. Use it—it will help!
2.
Study, study, study. Some of you may be students that don’t need to study (lucky you!), but for everyone else, I suggest studying. Now, I’m not suggesting studying for 12 hours the first day of school, but if you review a little every night before the test, it will make your life a little bit easier. I didn’t start doing that until around second semester, and it made me feel better and more confident.
3.
Use your resources. Okay, you’re in AP Euro—you’ve got a textbook, a review book (or the Freible) and you’ve got Mr. Freiler. Read the written sources and ask Mr. Freiler questions—that’s why he’s there. He is rooting for you to do well, so don’t be too shy about asking questions. This segues into…
4.
Participation. Don’t be like me and avoid it until you can’t anymore. Feel free to be open and ask/answer questions. You don’t have to talk super extensively every day. Set goals for yourself (Example: today I’m going to answer two questions, or whatever) and keep setting goals. I started doing that second quarter, and it helped. For you shy people
(like me, to an extent) this could be hard. However, if there is something that you find interesting or know the answer to, feel free to share it with the class. *Sidenote on participation-if you are chatty, that’s awesome. A word of advice to the chatty Cathy’s is to remember that there are shyer people who perhaps would want to participate as well. In other words, keeping answers concise will give other people opportunities to talk.*
5.
Learn to love the class and you’ll work hard. If you genuinely like the class, you’ll be more inclined to want to work hard in it. Working hard is the key to success, especially in your first AP class (and all others). From what I have noticed is that there will be people who appreciate your hard work, and you will be satisfied with your performance.
I’ve boiled down what I find to be the most important pieces of advice regarding AP Euro. AP
Euro is a completely do-able (is that a word?) class if you manage your time correctly and stay on top of assignments. I know from experience that if you work hard, you will see results.
As you are reading this letter, I know you must be worried and freaking out about this year in
AP Euro. I was too, not even a year ago. All you have to do is relax and all will be well.
Have a great year!
Sincerely Yours,
Ani Karagianis
P.S. You all should know that Mr. Freiler is a big fan of Abraham Lincoln… and Otto Von
Bismarck (don’t worry, you’ll learn about him later)

Dear AP Euro Student,
Congratulations on signing up for AP Euro! This class may seem intimidating at first and the workload may feel too heavy, but the class is not as scary as it first appears and the workload is manageable once you develop a few important skills. Although there are many rumors surrounding this class, they tend to be exaggerated and usually come from people who did not work hard in the class and failed to develop effective strategies for success. Success in this class is not impossible and is quite attainable if you develop a few key strategies:
 Do the reading! It is very important that you complete the assigned reading every night because of the surprise clicker quizzes that spring up each unit. If the textbook reading seems overwhelming, read the Freible (Mr. Freiler’s review book) and you will have a really good grasp of the main ideas.
 The Freible not only gives a good overview of the content but also contains multiplechoice practice tests as well as sample FRQs/DBQs that are really good preparation for the unit tests. Reading the Freible throughout the unit (not just the night before) will dramatically improve your success in the class (seriously I cannot emphasis enough how
 important it is for you to read this book).
Manage your time effectively! Reading 7 pages of AP Euro should not take two hours.
Avoid looking at your phone or going on the internet, but instead set up a designated block of time that you will do your AP Euro work, and you will find that you are finishing your assignments much faster.
 Participate in class! Consistently contribute to class discussions; there are many forums and debates throughout the year that require you to speak. This is a good way for you to demonstrate to Mr. Freiler that you know the material; and if that’s not enough

 motivation, participation is also a 100 point grade every quarter (which is just as much as a test grade)!
Become familiar with themes and key concepts of the course! By reading the themes and key concepts you will have a good understanding of the big pictures ideas and will be able to see how different events in history connect. This will definitely help you with essay writing and help you get your desired 8 or 9 score.
Do the little things! Print out the power point slides so it’s easier to follow Mr. Freiler’s lectures, look over the syllabus every day to make sure you know what’s going on, do extra credit assignments if you want, and finally remember to breathe!
It’s really easy to buy into the hype of AP Euro...however it’s important to just chill-out.
Remember to breathe and remember that AP Euro is just a class...getting an A is not life and death. If you are willing to work hard and approach this class with not necessarily the “I-mustget-an-A” mentality, but with a willingness to learn and improve your academic skills, you will find that you will achieve success in this class, your other classes, and ultimately your life. There is a quote I read every day that’s on the wall above the white board, “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act, but a habit.” This class will show you not only how to apply this quote to AP Euro, but all aspects of your life. Have fun and good luck! You are going to do great!
Sincerely,
Anne Zaher, Class of ‘16

Dear AP Euro Students,
Nine months from now, you will be sitting where I am now writing this letter to future AP Euro students. But, before that time comes, you have to complete a long trek throughout the realm of European History. I want to start by congratulating you for even attempting to take this class.
From what you have probably heard from your teachers, siblings, and upperclassmen is that AP
Euro is one of the hardest classes offered at Hinsdale Central…and for some of you that will be the case. But, if you choose to be willing to learn, to be attentive, to be dedicated, TO PUT IN
EFFORT, I guarantee that you will learn an enormous amount of material in the next 9 months and earn a 5 on the AP Exam in the spring.
You may have noticed that I emphasized putting in effort, and I honestly believe this is the key to succeeding in AP Euro. THERE IS NO HIDDEN SECRET TO AP EURO! People that have taken the class may tell you to only read the Freible, only read the textbook, save time by not doing the nightly readings because they don’t help, make flashcards to help you study, and many other “strategies” to help you succeed in AP Euro. I will truthfully tell you that those are all lies.
To succeed in AP Euro, you really NEED TO WANT TO SUCCEED. Don’t come to class and expect to earn an “A”. You have to actively understand and learn the material. Although Mr. Freiler is an amazing teacher (and I’m not just saying that to earn brownie points), he can’t make sure every student understands what he teaches. You guys have to be willing to go out of your comfort zone and MAKE SURE YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT HE’S TEACHING! If you understand the big picture and how the content relates to the course themes and key concepts, you will be in excellent shape for any test.
Now, some things about Mr. Freiler. When Mr. Freiler assigns something as homework, such as reading an article or reading from the book, DO IT! Don’t expect to come into class the next day and have a clue what Mr. Freiler is talking about. Mr. Freiler always has good motives for assignments, and they will surely help you in the understanding of the material. Mr. Freiler is one of the best teachers you will have ever had in your schooling experience. He loves to tell jokes at opportune moments and loves to poke fun at anything that he dislikes.
To summarize my letter on success in AP Euro:
1. Understand what Mr. Freiler is teaching.
2. Use all available resources to learn (Freible, textbook, Google?…).
3. Actively participate.
4. Listen to Mr. Freiler (He’s the best at what he does).
5. Finally, HAVE A BLAST! AP EURO IS THE CLASS WHERE I HAD THE MOST FUN ALL YEAR (I’M
NOT JOKING).
Good luck, have fun, and be willing to learn,
Chris O., ‘16
P.S. Don’t be intimidated by Mr. Freiler. If you’re willing to talk to him, he’s willing to respond to you (Just don’t be hatin’ on Bismarck or Lincoln).

Dear new AP Euro student,
Congratulations! If you’re reading this than that means you’ve already made it through day one of
AP Euro. You’re probably a little bit intimidated and nervous right now but don’t worry, you’ve already gotten over the biggest hurdle - deciding to take the class. The next couple of weeks will be an adjustment period that is ordinary for those taking the step from an honors level course to an AP level one. Most people who drop out of the class do so within the first couple of weeks. STICK
WITH IT. I promise you that by the end of September, you will be used to the workload of the class.
Hard work and efficiency are the two key components to succeeding in this course. Reading the textbook every night may seem like a daunting task, but it is not busywork. The textbook will help you understand the content on a deeper level. If you eliminate distractions and focus on your work, the reading should not take more than 30- 45 minutes a night. Don’t slack on the assignments! Trying to read 100 pages the night before the test is not going to help. Also make sure to keep track of the assignments on the syllabus. Mr. Freiler is not always going to put assignments up on the board and you don’t want to find out about a four page reading guide the night before it’s due. Checking the
SharePoint site is also valuable because Mr. Freiler puts up additional resources and extra credit opportunities. DO THE EXTRA CREDIT. My biggest regret in this class is not taking advantage of all of the extra credit opportunities I was presented with.
Along with reading the textbook, make sure that you purchase the review book. It’s called the Frible for a reason. The review book will be instrumental in helping you consolidate all of the information that you learned throughout the unit. It’s also a great tool for reviewing for the AP test. Make sure that you are constantly reviewing information from previous units. Many of the tests cover the present unit as well as the previous one. You will also be required to know the information for the final and the AP test.
Above all, make sure that you are paying attention and actively participating in class. Mr. Freiler often connects topics to the broader themes and key concepts which will help in your understanding of the material. The in-class PowerPoints are very good reinforcements of the reading so make sure to take good notes. Participation is a 100 point grade every quarter. Mr. Freiler is fair in his assessment but you have to actively participate in class to get a good grade. I made it my goal to talk at least once every class period.
And while I will admit that AP Euro is one of the more challenging courses I’ve taken, it is also the most fulfilling one. You will start to see things that you learn in class in your everyday life. Yes you read that right. A history course is applicable to your everyday
life. The world around you is filled with references to the past (Billy Joel’s We Didn’t Start the Fire
, anyone?) and AP Euro will help you understand them. Enjoy yourself too. Although you may not find all of the aspects of a history course interesting, the way the class is set up makes for stimulating debates and discussions.
Don’t take the class too seriously. Mr. Freiler really isn’t that intimidating and yes, you are allowed to laugh at his jokes.
Best of luck,
Dana Ahdab
Class of 2016
P.S. Make sure you listen to Mr. Freiler’s directions regarding assignments very carefully. One side of a sheet of paper means NO STAPLES.

Dear AP Euro Student,
You’ve probably heard a number of rumors about this course you are about to take. You have probably heard that it is the hardest class at Central, and many say that it is “impossible to get an A” or the “tests are very difficult,” but truly, it is not as bad as people say it is. Though you may be entering this year with loads of anxiety over the difficulty of this course, it is definitely manageable if you stay smart and follow the correct steps towards success. If you feel stressed upon entering [likely] your first AP course, you should calm down, take a deep breath, and follow my advice in order to accomplish your goals for this year.
My number one tip for incoming sophomores (or seniors) taking this course would be to focus on the big picture and not get wrapped up in the little details. I know that may be rather ambiguous and easier said than done, but Mr. Freiler makes it easy for you to look at the larger themes and stages of development throughout history. Each unit has key concepts, and the course has five general themes in which course material often relates to. It is a good idea to review these themes and concepts while you read and learn in order to make comparisons and link your knowledge to the rest of the course material and put it in historical context. Instead of frantically looking over every battle and every figure before a unit test, it would be more beneficial to look at a major trend and trace its relation to the bigger picture themes and concepts. It’s likely that doing so will prepare you for the essay questions that deal with broad and general topics.
Another good tip is to structure your learning and note-taking in an organized and efficient fashion.
While reading the textbook, I found that it best helped me to directly take notes (typed or handwritten) on the reading and class lectures and build on to them as the unit progresses. At the end of unit while preparing for a test, it helps to have an organized and neat set of notes that you can use to study from and look over especially when relating specifics to key concepts and themes. Although it may seem copious at first to read 10 or 12 pages and take thorough notes, it will help you in the long run because the tests will cover material from previous units, and your notes will serve as great study tools for the final exams.
Another major key to being successful in AP Euro is often forgotten and neglected: participation. If you are generally someone who shies away from speaking out in class, then you may want to consider being more open and sociable, because a major component of your grade actually relies on your ability to participate in class discussion and group work. Each unit test is worth 100 points, and if you work hard and continually ask questions and participate but still fall rather short on tests, you can boost your grade at the end of each quarter with a 100 point participation grade. Generally being engaged and active in class will also help to be a refresher to the material that you read about at home.
My fourth and final tip for this class is to stay on top of the school work that you are given. Yes it can be a rigorous course with a lot of homework, but it will only hurt you significantly in the long run to put it off and wait until the night before the test to learn the material. As tough as it may be, you must do your best to do the assigned readings every night, because if you don’t, it will show in your quiz scores and eventually test scores. If you take an hour or two a night to sit down and really concentrate on your AP
Euro homework without distractions, I promise it will pay dividends in your ability to perform well on tests and in class discussions. Since you made the commitment to take this class, you also have to make the commitment to do your homework, because the kids who throw in the towel in the first quarter and brush the dust off their textbooks days before the AP exam are the ones who struggle and are ultimately disappointed with their grades and test scores. Work hard and I promise that you will find success in a class no matter how high the difficulty level.
Good Luck, Grant Labedz, Class of 2016

Dear AP Euro Student,
Since you are taking AP Euro, you are probably an extremely well qualified student and ready to take this class. This letter is to reassure you that this year will not be the end of you
(even though many say it will be) and it is possible to make it through the year successfully. This is not to say that this class will be easy, because it most likely won’t be. It will be a challenge, but you can definitely meet the challenge if you put in the effort and time. I was so scared of the class because of all the stories I had heard from previous students, but I learned so much not just about European history, but about time management, organization, and study skills. There are few things that are vital to your success and I will mention a few of them here, but in AP Euro, your individual effort will determine how your year in AP Euro plays out.
This class is all about organization. There is no one there to hold your hand and give you outlines for every powerpoint, or hand each assignment right to you. Homework most likely won’t be on the board unless it is a new assignment, so keep track of the syllabus (which you can find on sharepoint in each folder). It lays out a schedule for homework, things that need to printed out for the next day, and readings in the textbook. Also, there is a study guide on the front of each syllabus that may be helpful to you for studying for the unit test and final, and the key concepts that will help you understand the big picture of the units.
Time management is also a key to success in AP Euro. Your best bet is to put aside your phone and all social media while you are doing Euro homework. It is super easy to get distracted from the reading. Try and create a certain window of time that you have to do your reading in
(and if you play sports there is only a small window of time to do it) and stick to it. Discipline yourself because it is easy to spend hours doing a reading assignment that should take you 45 minutes, and you won’t remember a word of it. Try to be as efficient as possible, but also make sure you are understanding the material not just looking at it. Another thing that no student can stress enough is KEEP UP WITH THE READING! Many concepts aren’t completely gone over in class so the reading is essential. If you can, back up your textbook readings with the review book. It is called the “Freible” for a reason. It is also much lighter reading and outlines major points to know for the test and for the AP Test.
Finally, participate! A major part of the class is participation (almost 100) and a lot of people forget about the easy points that can save or kill your grade. It is really easy to be overwhelmed with the fast pace and vigor of discussions, but do your best to ask or answer a few questions each day. It not helps your grade, but keeping engaged in discussions by answering and asking questions can be helpful. You can pick up information or examples that may be multiple-choice questions or may be perfect examples for essay tests.
Being in the first week of school, I bet you are super overwhelmed and confused but trust me it will get easier! You will get into the swing of things and pick up a routine. Soon enough, you will be here at the end of the year, writing a letter to future students. Good luck!
Hannah Smiles, ‘16

Dear Future AP Euro Student,
Okay, you’ve probably heard all the gossip. “AP Euro is one of the hardest classes at
Central!...There’s no way you can get an A!” Wrong.
AP Euro can get challenging at some times but if you put your effort in and pay attention in class, you WILL get that A. Here are some tips to help you succeed!
1. Read the Review book (aka Freible)!!! Alarms should be going off in your head once you realize that Mr. Freiler wrote this review guide, which means the most important information from the course is included here. You should keep up with the textbook reading every day, but I suggest first reading the textbook and then looking at the review book for a quick summary.
Note: Mr. Freiler has included tons of tips, examples, FRQ’s, and high level overview, which will be beneficial to read if you want to succeed.
2. DO NOT fall behind!! Make sure to keep up with the textbook/Freible reading every night, and prepare detailed notes for discussions/debates. This is important because a clicker quiz could come up on any day and you want to be sure that you’re prepared!
3. Connect ideas! In the Course Documents folder on Sharepoint, you will be able to find
Mr. Freiler’s Key Concepts and Course Themes. If you can connect an example such as the invention of the printing press to a course theme of Objective Knowledge and Subjective
Visions, then you will be more likely to remember the time period and the relevant changes to society. Also, Mr. Freiler loves this high level overview so you should bring up a connection like this during a discussion!
4. Participate! At the end of each quarter, you will receive a grade out of 100 points for participation. This means that at every available opportunity, you should raise your hand and contribute to class discussion. Also, I found that many activities we did in class correlated
EXACTLY with questions on the AP Test!! Participating in Mr. Freiler’s in class activities definitely helped me remember those topics vs. just through rote memorization.
5. Find your own method of studying! I suggest reviewing EVERY DAY what you learned in class and how you can connect it with the changes of the time period you are studying. Mr.
Freiler has created reading guides and study guides for each unit, if that is your preferred method of studying. Notecards to memorize terms and exactly what happened are useful in one way but at the same time the main themes will be ignored. One strategy that works well for me is to take large notecards and draw web diagrams of a particular topic and post them on the walls of my room. For Renaissance Era State, I made branches off of the main topic with
New Monarchs, Balance of Power, Power and Status, and Machiavelli. This facilitates a higher level overview and does not go into unnecessary detail with the subject. Also, it forces me to read the notecards every time I walk in the room!
Lastly, do not be afraid to talk to Mr. Freiler if you need any help! He genuinely wants you to do well and will work things out with you! All in all, this may seem like a lot, but this hard work is very much worth it. I went into AP Euro with tons of anxiety, but with effective studying strategies and effort I managed to pull through and survive AP Euro. With these tips, you will too!
Kristin John :), ‘16

Dear AP Euro Student,
Welcome to your first ever AP course. I'm sure you're nervous, panicked, and a little terrified right now, and I’m also sure that you’ve heard the horror stories about this class. But don't worry! If I got through it, you most definitely can as well. As a student who went through the same anxiety and made it out alive, here’s my attempt to give you some tips to make your stay here a little bit more comfortable. But be warned, things aren't going to be a walk in the park.
First off, throw away that freshman year, World History mentality. The game changes in AP
Euro and maybe you don't feel it quite yet, but it will hit you by the end of the 1st week. No longer can you get by with BS-ing assignments or not reading because let me tell you, Mr Freiler expects actual, comprehensive work, 5-point assignment or not. Also, don't be upset if you don't get a 100% on an assignment because it’s honestly close to impossible. Celebrate those
19.5s out of 20, because right now, you’ve entered a classroom where your teacher is not afraid to give you a C.
Next off, learn how to work in groups. If you are more of the independent worker like me, this can be hard. But this class has a lot of group discussions, as well as come 2nd quarter, you'll be doing a lot of group projects. By the way, I'm not talking about just some in-class, 5-minute poster project, but actual group projects that require planning, collaborating, and hours outside of school. At times like these, you have to take one for the team. This might mean some long hours on google docs, or late night weekend meet ups at the library. Working with others is always hard, especially when it comes to stressful situations like big Euro grades. But just remember, at the end of the day, everyone wants that A and the worst way to make enemies in
Euro is by being that one kid who complains and chooses to work alone in a group project.
My final point about this class might be lacking in persuasion right now, but it's this: remember to have fun. This class, as hard as it may be to believe, can be really fun if you make it that way.
Sure, Mr. Freiler is strict and expects a lot out of you, but his stories, jokes, and teaching method is funny and engaging. I personally really liked the Enlightenment unit because Mr
Freiler (as a philosophy teacher, I assume) really got into the philosophical ideas. Of course, you may not like it nearly as much as I did, but you will most definitely find something in this class that you can enjoy.
At the end of the day, just remember that your teacher is a human being and AP Euro, though harder then most classes in sophomore year, is just a class. It's an experience that will at times, pull at your sanity and test your limits, but one that will make you a stronger, more intellectual, and more driven student.
Wishing you luck,
Lisa Koga 
Class of 2016

Hello AP Euro student,
I remember myself doing exactly what you are doing right now. Right now, you are probably really anxious because Mr. Freiler just gave you the to-do list, and it seems like a million miles long, and everything seems to be moving super fast because it’s your first day of AP Euro. Always remember to breathe and collect yourself. You did not make a mistake in taking this class, and for the first week or so, this class may get overwhelming, but do not let this persuade you into dropping out. If you just get over the first hump of getting used to things, then the rest of the year will be great. I promise you. Now, the class will not be easy, but it will be extremely worthwhile. The information you learn in AP Euro is unmatched in any other class. It is extremely interesting, and is taught by the best in the business, Mr. Freiler. In this letter, I will give you three helpful tips to use that will hopefully allow you to succeed.
Now, remember what I said about this class not being easy, frankly, it’s not. But, that does not mean that the class is terrible or boring, it just means that it is hard, and requires thinking. To many people, the fact that the class is hard, and requires thinking is why it is so great, and honestly that is the reason why this class, to me, never got boring. So, trust me, odds are, you will love the class by the end of the year.
Tip #1: In class, while Mr. Freiler is either lecturing or giving you something to do, make sure you always pay attention to what he is saying, especially if he gives you an FRQ prompt to do.
Mr. Freiler knows what he’s doing in class, and it would be to your advantage to pay attention because basically the whole year is preparation for the final, and the AP test. Also in class, make sure your participation is both consistent everyday, and meaningful. At the end of every quarter, you will get a 100-point grade based on your participation; and also it is not graded “easily” just because it is participation, it is graded sometimes just as harshly as an essay. I would recommend taking advantage of that grade by participating in class at least twice everyday. By the way, if Mr.
Freiler ever asks for a volunteer in class, just automatically raise your hand because it adds to your participation score, and Mr. Freiler likes it when a student makes that kind of an effort.
Tip #2: At home, it is crucial that you do the reading every night, and if you do not, it is extremely difficult to get caught up. Trust me, that is not a nice situation to be in. Also, if you choose to get the review book, which I recommend getting, it is a very good study tool to use to review certain concepts, and trends. For tests, do not make the rookie mistake of waiting until the night before to start studying. You will not do well if you do. Also, importantly, this class is unlike many of the classes you’ve taken, so when studying, the object is not only to memorize things, or places or people, but rather to analyze their importance, and to identify what that important object led to next in European History. Also trends over time such as: women’s rights, or economic changes are good to always know for tests.
Tip #3: If you ever need help with anything, Mr. Freiler is always willing to help before or after school. I know some people can see Mr. Freiler as intimidating at first, but don’t let that stop you from going in for help. Also, any extra credit that he gives in the class, is definitely worth your while. If there is extra credit… DO IT!
I am confident that if you listen to my advice above, you will be able to succeed in this class.
Remember though, it takes a lot more than just reading this letter to succeed; you must quickly put my advice to action.
The very best of luck,
Max Bartuch, class of 2016

Dear AP Euro Student,
Welcome to your life for the next 180 school days, while they may be some of the hardest school days at first, trust me, it gets better. You may have heard many horror stories of AP Euro and its super hard multiple choice tests and challenging FRQs and DBQs, I’m afraid to tell you that those stories are false. AP Euro is way more manageable than you may believe; if you psych yourself out you are already behind. In order to succeed in this class you need to develop a strategy that best works for you, and while that might involve you changing some of your World History or World Cultures strategies, you’ll thank yourself in the long run.
Don’t be like me, who waited until second semester to realize my mistakes, if you get out ahead of the game now, then you will never think of AP Euro as that impossible class that no one gets an “A” in. The grades in AP Euro are not a curved grading system such as the ones you see in science, but that is not a problem because all of the multiple choice tests have substantial curves. While getting a “B” in this class is not bad, it is actually good you should push yourself for an “A.” It is probably not a stretch to assume that you as a student appreciate a challenge or else you wouldn’t have taken this class, so do not be surprised when you find yourself challenged. It is at these moments when you can benefit the most from this class. Through this class I learned so much about myself as a student and how I act (or react) under pressure, and I will forever use that knowledge in not only future history courses but also in any other course in high school and college.
An “A” in AP Euro is achievable, and I am an example of that. I got an A second semester because I realized that I needed to change the way I studied, the way I analyzed, and the way I thought about the class.
The tests in AP Euro focus on the connections between events and people, so I changed my studying technique from just memorizing terms (what I did first semester) to tracing main ideas, ideologies, and events through the units. This is the way I studied for both essay tests and multiple choice tests because as they may seem so different, they are both asking for you to demonstrate your understanding of the unit’s key ideas.
Participation in Mr. Freiler’s AP Euro class is very important, so make sure you start out on the right foot. Your participation is 100 points and has guidelines for each grade. Be aware of how you are contributing to the class in large groups or small groups, debates or discussions. Mr. Freiler believes participation to be very important because it demonstrates your understanding of the material assigned and even can tell him if you read like you were supposed to. I wish I had participated more because it did mess up my grade that I’d spent weeks building up when I didn’t do well, so just keep that in the back of your mind, and contribute what you can to the class each day. Trust me, Mr. Freiler pays attention to each person’s participation!
Possible even more important than participation is reading. Use what you’re given. Read the textbook when you have time, but even when you find yourself strapped for time, read the review book’s corresponding, condensed section so that you don’t find yourself behind or even clueless while taking a pop clicker-quiz.
While it may just be the beginning of the school year now, and you are staring a challenge right in the eye, trust me when I say you can do this. You are all taking this class for a reason, and by the day after you take the AP test you will know why. You will not only have learned some history facts (which might slowly slip away), you will have learned how to study and how to read efficiently and how to speak intelligently in front of a class. You will thank this class, even though it might have been a pain while you were doing it, for all it has taught you. Best luck on your new journey.
Milan Stokes, ‘16

Dear AP Euro Student,
One of the first assignments that Mr. Freiler gave us was to read these student letters, but most likely you’re skimming through these, because who has time to read 20+ letters? Lenin and the Bolsheviks used simple phrases such as “peace, land, and bread” to be understood by the masses, so I’ll give you this; write, talk, and focus .
Write - the “path to a 9” for DBQs is a steep and slippery slope compared to that of
World History Honors, so first of all, don’t be disappointed when your first DBQ grade isn’t a
100. Your work will never be perfect in the eyes of Mr. Freiler. Don’t let this discourage you; but let it keep you grounded when writing your first DBQ. Mr. Freiler held an advanced DBQ workshop during third quarter, so here are some tips from it I strongly suggest that you take.
-Juxtapose 2 sets of documents (so, a total of 4 docs used)
-Do 5 POV, using different strategies (Purpose, Identity, Reliability, Tone, Historical Context)
-Establish historical causation in the intro or concluding paragraph
-Used at least 2 more documents than needed
-Do not use direct quotes; they can sometimes weaken your analysis
-Don’t oversimplify; not everything falls into a pro/con category, so elaborate on the author’s opinion
Talk-
The participation grade you get in Freiler’s class is not the same as your 5-point weekly Bio Honors grade; for one thing, every quarter it’s worth 100 points. During first semester, I tried to talk about as much as everyone else in the class did, which is fine, if you want a solid B. But most of you are going for the A, so if you find yourself over-participating a little, that’s a good thing. Just keep in mind, both quality and quantity matter. However, also don’t let this keep you from saying something because the connection you made might be far-fetched or your answer may sound stupid. Many times when I did that, my answer turned out to be right.
Focus - Everyone has a different level of focus, so it’s important to have a specific study method that works for you. I’ll be honest- I never read the actual textbook second semester.
While my multiple choice scores were in the low B to high C range, I believe that by only reading the review book (the “Freible,” if you will) I was actually saving myself from some lower C’s. This may seem controversial, especially to Mr. Freiler, but I think that if you’ve made an earnest effort at reading and annotating your textbook, and still can’t retain the material, then it might be time to pick up a review book and make some flashcards on it. Sure, you may not get an A on the multiple choice exams, but there are plenty of other grades that can bring you up there. And don’t feel bad if you’re one of those people; by second semester, I don’t know of a single person who read the textbook.
The first thing that comes to mind when thinking about Mr. Freiler is efficient. He can grade your DBQ in under 5 minutes, will put your grade up on HAC before you finish your morning classes, and likes to pack as much useful information as possible into one class. But sometimes, it’s important to slow down when it comes to AP Euro, as well as your other classes.
By taking a moment to understand something, not just through the eyes of one person, but through the eyes of the philosophes , the revolutionaries, the Romantics, it might actually help your grade (and your life!). Isaac Newton stood on the shoulders of giants; you will stand on the shoulders of a man who will not only prepare you well for the AP exam, but will increase your awareness of the world you live in.
Best of luck,
Mina Rao, ‘16
Dear AP Euro Student,

First things first, do NOT fret! Take deep breaths, and try out Mr. Freiler’s breathing technique, as he will probably show you, it seriously helps deal with the stress
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You might be asking yourself what you got yourself into now, but I guarantee you that it is quite possible to be successful in this class.
For many sophomores, this is their first AP class. I, myself, came from World Cultures to an AP history course, which was a big jump for me. I felt really underprepared compared to the rest of the students in my class when I walked in the classroom; in fact, I felt terrified and thought I was done for. So I completely understand that feeling you might be having of being overwhelm and filled with tons of anxiety right now. I hope that after reading this letter, you’ll be able to take away some valuable tips and advice.
Mr. Freiler expects the best out of you, meaning that your work and effort needs to reflect your potential. It doesn’t matter how terrible you do, as long as you give it your all, and not just some random piece of work you put together the night before. The same goes for tests, you are not going to pass tests if you cram the night beforehand; it’s just too much information. Try to do the readings each night, and in all honesty, you can also read the review book if you are trying to catch up on something. I found that the best way is to do the textbook readings to get a more detail-oriented information, and I recommend taking notes that relate to the main themes and key concepts of the unit along the way because there is no way that you will remember every single thing you read. The best part is that you can use these notes for the final! Then read the review book to get a good gist of everything and wrap everything up before tests or quizzes. Try to think “big picture,” not necessarily paying attention to every little detail, for example knowing every single battle to World War I. This might not work as well for you, but don’t be afraid to try new ways to improve. Remember that what is best for you might not be the best for others.
Improvement is the other expectation Mr. Freiler looks for from you. You might fail at first, but learn from your mistakes and try to revise and improve your techniques, work ethic, and studying habits.
Not until the last semester of the year, did I discover what worked best for me. It’s a work of progress, and as Mr. Freiler said, it’s like running a marathon to get prepared for the real marathon, the great AP test! If you slack off, you’re going to feel the wrath of it coming back at you. If you try your best and learn from your mistakes, you are going to be rewarded in the end. You are definitely in good hands with a great teacher!
I gradually started improving the way I took in information in class and found the course to be interesting. Pay attention in class. Sometimes taking notes on everything Mr. Freiler lectures or writes will not help you remember the material, since often times you are not going to have time to go back and look at it, so why not just pay attention the first time and get a good grip on what is being taught instead? Do not be afraid to PARTICIPATE, even voicing you opinions once a day in class helps! It doesn’t matter if you’re wrong or right, Mr. Freiler won’t judge or bite, I promise; he encourages you to be engaged because trust me, all the activities and projects assigned isn’t just to make your life miserable. They have a great significance on you in preparation for tests and the AP exam and final. I recalled several films and class activities during the AP test and final to my relief.
Participation and clicker quizzes really are a good portion of your grade as you will come to realize.
Finally, I have to admit that AP Euro became one of my favorite and most challenging class. It was a love-hate relationship because I enjoyed the class but dreaded the work load; Mr. Freiler made it interesting and fun in general. He’s a very funny, out-going teacher rather than a strict, scary one. He is ALWAYS there to help and support you all the way through this year-long journey.
Don’t worry, you’ll do great! And finally, Good luck and do not give up!
--Onpailin Rangsithienchai , ‘16
Dear future AP Euro student,

The “AP” label in front of this course’s name should not frighten you as long as you develop better, more time-effective study habits. As Mr. Freiler will tell you, you should not dedicate hours upon hours to AP Euro every night. Efficiency is the name of the game. Much of the daily homework is not checked in whether it is reading in the textbook or documents on
SharePoint for discussion. However, this does not mean that you can blow it off. It is important to keep up with the nightly readings not only for the occasional pop clicker quiz, but also to remain an engaged, active participant in class. At the end of each quarter, a 100 point participation grade can either help or hurt your grade and has the same weight as a major unit test. If the nightly reading is too much or you are very busy during the week, I suggest planning ahead and reading a couple of assignments for the next week during the prior weekend. Before each unit, Mr. Freiler provides a unit syllabus to help you plan around your schedule and work ahead. This independence is a large part of his class and philosophy.
Independence in studying doesn’t mean you have to learn everything on your own. Make sure to pay attention in class and take notes on Mr. Freiler’s lectures. Many times, what he mentions in class may make a guest appearance on a clicker quiz, an frq prompt, or a multiple choice question. You’ll quickly learn that paying attention is an easy task because Mr. Freiler shares funny anecdotes and engaging jokes that keep you awake. You’ll get a good laugh while at the same time learning about Louis XIV, the Enlightenment, and the Scientific Revolution.
As for studying for Mr. Freiler’s tests, I used two approaches that helped me through the year. For FRQ unit tests, I anticipated possible essay prompts and outlined each one. Sometimes
I wrote out a whole essay if I had time. I also use the example prompts Mr. Freiler hints at in class to help me structure my studying. It is important to ground everything and relate everything back to the course themes of AP Euro and larger trends. This will help organize your essay and make it more coherent. It’ll help in your understanding and might even earn you an A. For multiple choice tests, I go through the “Freible,” which is an AP content review book authored by Mr. Freiler himself. I use the multiple choice check questions at the end of the chapter and I also take a look at my notes that I took while reading the textbook. The most important thing is to do a bit each night instead of saving everything for the night before. It’s hard to get away with last-minute studying in a class as demanding as AP Euro. However, it is a rewarding course.
Enjoy it.
Sincerely,
Sean Gai