Earlier this year, in advance of AP season, sophomore Aki Benjamin started “Aki’s History Review” on both Instagram and Youtube to help students study AP World History.
Aki said he was inspired by his eighth grade history teacher to start this account. He said, “She really made me learn that history isn’t just a bunch of facts and has a story behind it. Since then, I’ve personally studied interesting aspects of history and built on my knowledge so I can share how it all fits together to create the world we have today.”
Aki creates both study guides and hosts live review sessions before major history exams. He works to create his study guides using reliable sources including notes from AP World History teacher Aliza Sherman’s class, Barron’s book, and Heimler’s Review. He also said that he has been sharing study guides for years and remembers “20-30 people having [his] study guide printed out on the day of the test for quick review.”
Beyond the study guides, many students know Aki’s History Review through his live review sessions on Instagram. He said, “People can ask me questions from more of a peer standpoint as I’m learning the same way as everyone else, not from a place of more knowledge. My study guides are also tailored to the tests that I have to study for alongside everyone else. The videos are new, but the study guides are a way I study and try to help others too.”
Current students taking AP World History shared their opinions regarding the account, and how it has helped them in their studies.
Sophomore Jordana Lo said, “I found his reviews especially helpful when reinforcing certain topics that may have gotten skipped over, and they were good refreshers before tests.”
Sophomore Vahe Kasarjian said, “The account is pretty good since it isn’t really missing much information that would help me on the AP test.”
Aki said his account has also reached schools outside of THHS. He said, “Interestingly enough, students from other schools, including Brooklyn Tech, Bronx Science, and Aviation have told me that they watch it to review for their tests. Additionally, one of my former teachers told me that they were watching and found it very informative.”
While she has not seen the videos, Aki’s AP World History teacher Ms. Sherman said she appreciates that Aki is helping his peers.
Students who say they don’t use Aki’s guides say that their reasons aren’t that he provides too little information to prepare but too much.
Sophomore Guadalupe Castro said, “I stayed away from it because when I caught a glimpse of the note doc he did, it was too much. AP [classes are] really about the core ideas, especially for AP World, but it’s good for more examples.” Vahe also agreed that there is an overabundance of information at times.
When asked about additional tips for studying, Aki’s advice is simple: “Find something that interests you. It doesn’t have to be history, it can be drama movies, action, books, politics, anything. And turn your story into that framework. Read out your notes as if it were an action film, so you can enjoy it more than just the dry textbook reading.”
Aki said that he plans on continuing the account, study guides, and review sessions for the rest of his high school career.
