As election season emerges, students are becoming interested and involved in the increasingly heated presidential showdown. With political biases and misinformation on the rise, students are opting for classes like AP Government during their senior year.

As students approach voting age, many continue to rely on social media and selective information for knowledge on current events. Access to tools that help them build their own opinions, however, is becoming increasingly important.

AP Government teacher Karen Henry believes that students who take the class have a deeper understanding of the U.S. political system and are able to put laws and regulations into context. Throughout her seven years teaching the class, Henry has prioritized students’ understanding on why U.S. laws and institutes are the way they are instead of the mere basics of what they include.

“I think it (AP Government) helps students understand the fundamental principles behind our system,” Henry said. “Then they can judge the candidates or judge the issues based on those principles.”

Before the course, senior Anjali Swaminathan recalled having limited information about American politics. She used to rely on social media and news channels as her main sources of information for current events and political developments, but now she follows unbiased and informed sources, utilizing her newly-formed knowledge of the government. For Swaminathan, the first day of class was eye-opening.

“I realized, wow, as an American I really don’t know a lot about my own government, which made me more interested in the class,” Swaminathan said.

Now, Swaminathan finds herself more aware of her political surroundings, both local and national. One example is the presidential debate, where she was able to apply her learnings.

“In the past, if I did hear politicians talk, it kind of filtered through me. But now, when I listened to the debate, I was able to fully understand everything that they’re talking about,” Swaminathan said.

Senior Agatha Vu reflected on her current experience in AP Government. As someone who did not take much interest in politics or elections, Vu realized how important it is for rising seniors to be well informed.

“In the future, I’m going to be able to vote and make my own decisions. I wanted a better understanding of how it came to form and how the processes worked,” Vu said.

Similarly, other students have also reported back to Henry after taking the class about how they have experienced an increase in civic participation and engagement in local efforts.

“Taking the AP Gov classes, those students are more likely to volunteer at election time, to help at the polls,” Henry said. “It’s been my experience that I’ve had students write back to me that they’re at their college and they’re trying to encourage other people to vote.”

Many AP Government students feel better prepared for their futures after taking the class. The real-world application and skills they learn from the class, they said, sets them on a path to become informed and active citizens.

“AP Gov students go back to when the country was settled, what arguments the founders had and why our system is set up the way it is,” Henry said. “I think they will sometimes have a deeper understanding of why it even matters.”