Writing in AP Format instead of MLA

I have had an extremely hard time switching from the MLA format of writing to the AP style. In high school, the MLA rules were drilled into my head again and again and I still find myself writing in that style just out of habit. A lot of times I end up mixing AP with MLA when I'm not paying attention, especially when it comes to citing references. I also have a hard time not over-embellishing my papers. In high school I filled my papers with as many descriptions and details as possible to take up space. In the AP style, though, it's more about the information presented than the fancy words you use to tell your story.