![“[Building nerf blasters] became this outlet of creativity for me that hasn't been matched by anything else. The process [of] making a build complete to your desire is such a painstakingly difficult process, but I've had to learn from [the skills needed from] soldering to proper painting. There's so many different options for everything, if you think about it, it exists. The best part is [that] if it doesn't exist, you can build it yourself," Ishaan Parate said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/DSC_8149-900x604.jpg)
![“When I came into high school, I was ready to be a follower. But DECA was a game changer for me. It helped me overcome my fear of public speaking, and it's played such a major role in who I've become today. To be able to successfully lead a chapter of 150 students, an officer team and be one of the upperclassmen I once really admired is something I'm [really] proud of,” Anvitha Tummala ('21) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Screen-Shot-2021-07-25-at-9.50.05-AM-900x594.png)
![“I think getting up in the morning and having a sense of purpose [is exciting]. I think without a certain amount of drive, life is kind of obsolete and mundane, and I think having that every single day is what makes each day unique and kind of makes life exciting,” Neymika Jain (12) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Screen-Shot-2017-06-03-at-4.54.16-PM.png)
![“My slogan is ‘slow feet, don’t eat, and I’m hungry.’ You need to run fast to get where you are–you aren't going to get those championships if you aren't fast,” Angel Cervantes (12) said. “I want to do well in school on my tests and in track and win championships for my team. I live by that, [and] I can do that anywhere: in the classroom or on the field.”](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/DSC5146-900x601.jpg)
![“[Volleyball has] taught me how to fall correctly, and another thing it taught is that you don’t have to be the best at something to be good at it. If you just hit the ball in a smart way, then it still scores points and you’re good at it. You could be a background player and still make a much bigger impact on the team than you would think,” Anya Gert (’20) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/AnnaGert_JinTuan_HoHPhotoEdited-600x900.jpeg)
![“I'm not nearly there yet, but [my confidence has] definitely been getting better since I was pretty shy and timid coming into Harker my freshman year. I know that there's a lot of people that are really confident in what they do, and I really admire them. Everyone's so driven and that has really pushed me to kind of try to find my own place in high school and be more confident,” Alyssa Huang (’20) said.](https://harkeraquila.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/AlyssaHuang_EmilyChen_HoHPhoto-900x749.jpeg)
Who wants to spend hours slaving over notes when you can just watch a ten-minute video? Whether you’re cramming for APs or curious about the world, YouTube teachers make studying more effective, helping you get As on your tests in a fraction of the time. Of these teachers, I’ve ranked my personal preference for how well they help me study.
5. TED-Ed:
TED-Ed is a staple of educational channels. The varying animation styles catch your eye and keep viewers engaged while still being informative. TED-Ed videos cover a variety of topics, ranging from ancient civilizations to ethical dilemmas and literary analyses. One drawback is that the topic covered in one video is too narrow as an educational tool. Although these videos pique audience interest, TED-Ed often chooses what to cover based on oddity rather than educational value.
4. CrashCourse:
CrashCourse, known for vibrant animations and its engaging hosts, John and Hank Green, includes fun segments like when the hosts play the same video clip of an army of Mongols whenever the Mongols are mentioned. While the entertainment value is high, this sometimes slows down the delivery of information, making the videos less efficient when cramming for an exam. However, CrashCourse still provides videos on most of the relevant historical and scientific topics taught in high school, serving as a better review tool than Ted-Ed.
3. ACDC Econ:
ACDC Econ is a go-to resource for students tackling AP Microeconomics or AP Macroeconomics. This channel is strictly for review, offering quick and reliable explanations of key concepts without fluff, lowering its benefit for students struggling to understand the economic concepts. On the other hand, its fast pace makes it ideal for last-minute prep covering all the topics you need without excess information.
2. The Organic Chemistry Tutor
The Organic Chemistry Tutor, contrary to his name, covers an extremely broad range of science and math videos. Each video feels like a tutoring session as he guides you through simple problems step-by-step before increasing the difficulty. What separates him from ranking first in this list is the monotony of his voice and the slow pace of his videos. Despite some disadvantages, he is my go-to for anything math or science-related through his 2,800 videos, more than the other YouTubers on this list.
1. Heimler’s History
Claiming the top spot, Heimler’s History has drastically cut the time I spent studying for AP World History. By strictly adhering to the AP course curriculum, his videos neatly cover key concepts and vocabulary terms. His iconic lines like “Y’all ready to get those brain cows milked?” never bring down the learning experience. Instead, they make the material more enjoyable, transforming a tedious study session into a productive experience. For any student tackling AP History courses, Heimler’s History is a must-have resource that combines clarity and entertainment.
