As we start shifting our focus to the upcoming school year, parents start asking me about when and how their kids should start college prepping. They want to know if AP classes are the right choice, when SAT prepping should start to happen, can they study for ISEE at the same time as PSAT,etc. So many acronyms create so much worry! I promise we will look at preparing for AP (Advanced Placement) and studying for the ISEE (Independent School Entrance Examination) in my next couple of blogs. For today, let’s breakdown PSAT, SAT, and ACT. These are all standardized exams used for college admissions and designed to demonstrate college readiness. They are multiple choice and done with pencil and paper. The SAT and ACT are an important and necessary factor with most college admissions. THE PSAT (short for Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test) https://www.collegeboard.org IN short, the PSAT is a practice SAT. It is most often taken by high school Juniors. However, one can take the PSAT a total of three times in high school, but only once per year, so you can start as early as Freshman or Sophomore. PSAT is a little easier than the SAT and there is a little more time to answer the math questions, however the test itself is about 15 minutes shorter than the SAT. They have similar questions, but the scoring is different. The PSAT scores between 320 and 1520 while the SAT is between 400 and 1600. Of course the real question is, ‘Is it necessary?’ The PSAT helps predict SAT scores. It highlights what needs to be focused on when studying for the SAT. The other important thing to know; PSAT scores are used for awarding National Merit Scholarships. (https://www.nationalmerit.org/s/1758/interior.aspx?sid=1758&gid=2&pgid=424). PSAT’s are not required and will not have a negative impact on college admissions. Some colleges will use the PSAT scores as part of their recruitment, but for the most part PSAT’s are used as a great opportunity for growth and possible scholarship if a student qualifies (scores need to be at least 1420 to 1480 to qualify). THE SAT (previously stood forScholastic Assessment Test) https://www.collegeboard.org College Board offers the SAT six times a year: October, November, December, January, May and June. There is a fee per exam but it’s best to check the College Board site for current prices and be sure to pre-register about a month ahead. The SAT is 3 hours long. There are a 154 questions and a reading test that takes 65 minutes, a 35-minute writing and language test and an 80-minute math section The SAT does not include an independent science section but incorporates science questions throughout the exam. * There is no longer SAT Essay or SAT Subject tests THE ACT (American College Testing) https://www.act.org ACT is offered 4 times per year- Sept., Oct., Dec., and Feb. It is also necessary to pre-register and check the fee on the ACT site. ACT lasts two hours and 55 minutes, plus the ACT continues to offer its optional 40-minute writing test that accompanies the exam. There are 215 questions and the ACT is comprised of a 35-minute reading test, 45-minute English test, 60-minute math section and 35-minute science test. ONE IS NOT EASIER THAN THE OTHER! All US colleges and universities accept scores from either the ACT or SAT, and ONE IS NOT MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE OTHER. (BE AWARE: Check your state. The necessity of SAT or ACT actually does change per/state.) BUT there are some personal choice differences. My top 5 FUNDAMENTAL PERSONAL CHOICE differences: On the reading section the SAT has evidence supports questions, meaning two part questions where one question supports another. If you don’t get the first one right you probably wont get the second one right. ACT does not have these. However ACT does NOT stick to questions in chronological order like the SAT-meaning it might be easier to find the answers in the SAT reading passage as the questions go in order of the reading. ACT is a little more focused on grammar, punctuation and structure as well as big picture questions. While the SAT is a little more vocabulary and writing style focused. However if the student’s strength lies in writing, the ACT optional essay allows the student to analyze a passage and give their own opinion on the topic discussed. 3. SAT has less of a time crunch, more time to answer each questions means less stress for each question. But the scoring and questions are more diffused so a student cannot move quickly go through a section they are more confident in. 4. If you are a Science person ACT’s science section is 1/4 of total score. SAT does not have a designated science section. 5. If you are a Math person, it accounts for 1/2 of the total SAT score but only 1/4 for ACT. *THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT THE MATH DIFFERENCES The SAT does have some math questions that are not multiple choice-the student will need to fill in their own answers. With the multiple choice there are 5 answer choices on SAT vs. 4 on ACT. Meaning if you need to guess there is a higher chance of getting the answer on the SAT. SAT does have diagram of math formulas, on ACT you have to remember them. There is a larger emphasis on geometry and trig on the ACT. While SAT is more algebra and data analysis focused. ****There is a school of thought that believes most math based students prefer the SAT and the English Language Arts student prefer the ACT. Really the best way to help a student make a decision is take the full-length practice tests for each. Then put the time into studying the one that puts them into the highest percentile. Either way students test scores are going to be better with study and practice!
Education is a timely and costly endeavor. In elementary school students are prepping for the challenges of middle school. Once in middle school they are looking towards the right high school. In high school they are preparing for University! Since the average family does not have a cache of spare time or money, maneuvering the sea of scholarships and grants becomes a time-consuming headache. WHERE TO BEGIN?? First, let’s start with grant vs. scholarship. Grants are given according to financial need, meaning they are usually reserved for lower income families. Grants are given by schools, nonprofits, states, and the federal government. For federal aid go to the FAFSA website (https://studentaid.gov). *The application deadline this year is Oct. 31st. Scholarships are different in that they are based on particular qualities or academic acumen. As there are many scholarships the real time saving trick is “Know Thy Self”. What makes your student uniquely them? When you hone down what type of person your student is, it will help cut down the research. 3 Popular Scholarships: Academic/Merit Aid Academic/Merit Aid scholarships are given based on a student’s skill or academic abilities. Usually, a student must maintain a certain GPA to receive this aid. If your GPA and standardized test scores are high enough, you may receive a full ride to your university. If students take the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test and qualify, they can resource The National Merit Scholarship Program. In terms of academics, some non-profits and private companies will ask a student to write an essay. The organization will often base the grant only on the essay and not on an overall GPA. If your student is a good writer I would suggest visiting: https://www.scholarships.com/financial-aid/college-scholarships/scholarships-by-type/essay-scholarships/ Athletic If you are a stand out athlete there are athletic scholarships. These scholarships are beneficial to colleges because they help attract/recruit athletes to play for them. However, only 1% to 2% of undergraduate students receive athletic scholarships, and they are usually partial scholarships. It is common that this aid requires a student to maintain a level of leadership, behavior and a minimum GPA. Diversity/Identity In an effort to support marginalized communities, Identity Scholarships are awarded for race, ethnicity, gender, and religion. Often the goal is to promote participation in activities or groups that have been historically homogenous. These scholarships are often outside parties such as the Hispanic Scholarship Fund or BIPOC Scholarship for LGBTQ students. (BIPOC Scholarship for LGBTQ Students,Hispanic Scholarship Fund.) Furthermore, there are scholarships for Musical Abilities, Military, Extracurricular, Unique Traits, Community Service and so on. In other words, if you have a Chess kid look for a Chess Scholarship-chances are, they are out there. Start early, and be efficient, use what you have! Rather than thinking about this as a chore, enjoy highlighting the qualities that make your student special. Two Helpful Sites: FastWeb Scholarships.com
If you are at the ISEE (Independent School Entrance Exam) preparation point I’m sure you have already put loads of thought into your child’s education and how to get a leg up. You’ve done your research, you’ve looked at private schools, you know what you want for your child. Now you are ready to take those next steps. Or are you? You are now being faced with the ISEE which is a whole new level of preparation. Most likely your child has always done well and is reading above grade level and scoring well on math. However, ISEE testing is different than how your child is assessed in school. * This exam is designed to be much higher than grade level in the way it is scored. What is the test? On the surface it appears to be split into 4 normal levels for grades 2-12: Primary (2-4), Lower (5&6), Middle (7&8), and Upper (9-12). The Subjects Covered: Verbal Reasoning,Quantitative reasoning, Reading comprehension, Mathematics Achievement, and A Writing sample. According to ERB (the ISEE test makers) “The ISEE consists of carefully constructed and standardized verbal and quantitative reasoning tests that measure a student’s capability for learning, and reading comprehension and mathematics achievement tests that provide specific information about an individual’s strengths and weaknesses in those areas.” This sounds innocuous enough BUT BE AWARE! The questions are designed to be tricky. There is more critical thinking, multi-step questions, unusual questions formats, and deeper reading between the lines than what is received in a classroom. It is mentally strenuous and it is quick. The ISEE specifically pushes the age brackets. There will be information students have NOT yet come across in their classroom learning, and the ISEE is asking for prerequisite knowledge. GIVE YOURSELF PREP TIME It is suggested to start preparing at least 6-8 months in advance. A decent goal is to shoot for 45-90 hours of instruction time, plus homework. This can be achieved with 1:1 programs, online practice tests, and of course tutors. PRO -TIPS Make a consistent study schedule. This is the key to not feeling overloaded. Look at test taking strategies. All strategies help, and will help calm nerves, though that will not be enough in terms of academics. Study vocabulary and challenging reading texts from grades above. Take the practice tests!! There are tests online and will help immensely in seeing where your child is at both academically and comfort wise. Leave time to take the test twice if necessary. ISEE’s can be taken once per testing season (Fall, Winter, Spring/Summer) which totals three times per year. During TEST Things to Think About: Answer All questions. There is no penalty for wrong answers on the ISEE so you might as well guess. Make sure however to keep track of time, if there is left over time go back and make sure all questions are filled in. Make sure to read all your questions CAREFULLY! Pay attention to key words and underline them. When reading, first try to predict answers to the question without looking at the choices. The choices maybe tricky and misleading so try to be solid with your own answer. Similarly with math, decide what you think is the right answer before you start solving. And use estimations- look at things like bigger/smaller, positive/negative—this will certainly help in eliminate wrong answers. *In each section start with what you feel is easiest for you. This will help with time and confidence. But again, go back and fill in all answers. OVERALL MOST IMPORTANT THING: Slow, steady focus—both in test preparation and test taking. Because the ISEE is designed to push learning age brackets, the student is not expected to get all the questions right. The tests are curved each year and your child will be compared to other students at their grade level. One child cannot know everything, take a steady approach at a range of content and you and your child will have positive results. Remember this is one part of a multi-faceted application. Your child can show their unique abilities and personality in the interviews, applications, visit days etc. The big goal should be to make sure your child feels as little stress as possible for this rather stressful test! HELPFUL LINKS: THE TEST MAKERS WEBSITE: Practice Tests: https://iseepracticetest.com https://study.com/isee/isee-practice-tests.html https://isee.ivyglobal.com/practice
As an educator I have witnessed time and time again students not getting a paper in on time, not studying enough because it was put off till the night before, parents repeatedly yelling at their kids to do their work and stop being “lazy”—but really it all comes down to Time Management. Time management is being able to be productive and efficient with ones time, and know how to prioritize it. It is important to remember that time management is a learned habit, meaning we are not born with this ability and it needs to be patiently taught. We also need to remember that not everyone has the same capacity to manage the amount of work and activities expected in a young persons life. Feeling overwhelmed, anxiety, ADHD, slow processors—these are all real things that may require a little extra patience, flexibility, and time. Of course who has the patience when there is no time!? And in a circle we go. Ideally learning time management skills starts in childhood, setting aside short chunks of time for putting away toys etc. As they get a little older time management can be taught in more fun ways. Make calendars and time charts with stickers, colors, glitter, and fun magnets. Why not try apps? And yes, have rewards for goals achieved! Set timers and make games—‘How fast can you do it?’ ‘How long do you think you have left?’ Have them verbally countdown with you. This is for time awareness so they start getting a sense of it. Family calendars are also fun-this breeds an awareness of other peoples time and how everyone is taking an active part in the household. The 2 most important aspects of time management for kids: 1. Prioritizing— help small kids by using simple phrases like First, Next, Last. Help them map out the day from beginning to end to understand the concept—in other words what are the most important things to do in a day ie; get dressed, brush your teeth. Then start looking from daily, to weekly, to monthly. 2. Allow breathe time. Over scheduling activities and then not scheduling free time is detrimental. The down time allows the brain and body to digest, we learn better when we have some space for self. The constant pressure and go teaches a life of stress, and lends to the feeling of ‘never being enough’ which has the opposite effect of efficiently managing. Teens especially are prone to giving up under an over pressurized schedule. And now, let’s talk about the Teens. If possible avoid falling into the trap of telling your teen to do homework over and over, aside from adding to their feeling of stress and rebellion, it also reduces their responsibilities and doesn’t teach them accountability. It may be more productive all around to help your teen feel a sense of agency with how to manage their time. 1. Let them have some control Find out what your teens goals are that they want to reach (this doesn’t mean just schoolwork, it could be practicing an instrument or exercising.) Then set up a plan with your teen on the best way to achieve those goals.Every person has times in the day when they feel most productive—help your teen to identify their rhythm. It’s ok if they want a 20 minute power nap after school if it will help them regroup. After the nap maybe their evening is broken into timed sections —they will know what works best for them. 2 . Keeping it calm One of the biggest killers of time management is feeling overwhelmed and stressed. There is self pressure to be better and there is pressure from external schedules. This is where and why prioritizing is key. Talk to them about the possibility of starting assignments earlier, letting go of some extra curricular, talking to teachers about extensions, figuring out what the MOST important assignments or tests are. This also pertains to their social enagagements. Teens are not always able to see how one thing affects another and what the consequence may be, so help them talk it through. 3. Early starts Procrastination may appear as irresponsibility but again maybe your teen just doesn’t know how to approach things any other way. Give them some tools; set timers, use alerts, give some form of affirmation when they are early with their work or even on time! One thing that may be effective is having an earned technology time. If they are able to get ready and do their work early it will give them some extra technology time to enjoy. —Though I suggest limiting the technology as it is a big distraction! 4. Workspace Where we do our work can create distractions or give us peace. Take time with your teen to set up a work space. If they help set it up they can feel some pride in it. Use diaries, and whiteboards, calendars and color coded organizers, whatever helps their brain to stay organized and energized to work. Give them a comfortable, organized and clean place to work. And let it be theirs—no siblings running through and other outside interferences. Time management is not the most fun life lesson to teach but certainly an important one—and remember you deserve to schedule a little time out for you as well.
The more that you read, The more things you will know. The more that you learn, The more places you’ll go. —-Dr. Seuss Parents often ask me what I suggest for their child’s summer reading. I find that a hard question to answer because for me as a child I wanted to read EVERYTHING! Reading is personal to what an individual likes, and the wonderful thing is if you ask your child what they like there will be a book about it! I think the most important question a parent should ask is not “what” should my child read but “HOW” do I get my kids consistently reading-not just in the summertime! Summer reading is great because there is more time, it is not curriculum reading so there is more scope for exploration, and of course, it’s going to keep the brain working and retaining skills that get forgotten in summer. But reading for kids (and teens, and adults) should reach far beyond the summer and if possible should be a daily habit. Reading increases vocabulary, makes better writers, increases focus and concentration creates stronger analytical skills, and enhances creativity. Reading helps young children understand emotions and how they fit into the world around them and teaches them empathy. For adults, the daily stimulation of the brain through reading has been proven to reduce mental disorders such as dementia as well as help with stress reduction. Essentially, reading is more than knowledge-enhancement, it plays a very important part in our cognitive and social development. So how do we develop reading habits? I think that will look different for everyone but one thing holds true: Family engagement helps. Read as a family before bedtime. Get invested in what your children or young adults are reading. Get excited about the storyline with them, and ask what they think is going to happen next. Find out what genres they like, really have fun personalizing to their tastes, then expand out once they are engaged. This one sounds counterproductive, but watch the movie version with them (preferably after they read the book but whatever works) and talk through what is different, what worked, and what didn’t. Make the movie a nice treat after getting through a book with popcorn and candy etc. 5. Make it a game, set timers, and mini-goals, and create a little recognition chart that positively tracks progress after each chapter. 6. Get to the library! Make it a field trip. 7. Make your own books (comic books and graphic novels count!) 8. Have your kids start book clubs with other kids-make it social! 9. When going on trips pack books! Have them read on the trains and planes etc. 10. And if all else fails….bribe them! Exchange reading time for screen time. Sometimes you have to fake it till you make it. If they are reading to get their screen time they will eventually fall prey to a storyline that they end up liking! MOST IMPORTANTLY… have patience. Reading does not come naturally for everyone, if your child is struggling stick with it. If your teen is struggling, stick with it. Eventually, the experience becomes easier and more enjoyable for everyone. Plus it’s free entertainment! *If you still need help with what your child should read there are many links that will have school reading lists or the most popular books according to the age of your child. Maybe you have your own personal favorites from childhood like The Chronicles of Narnia, Wizard of Oz, or A Wrinkle in Time. Just because a book is old doesn’t mean it’s not a whole new world to them!
Summer is upon us. Give yourself a pat on the back, you’ve made it through the school year! The daily battle cry of morning struggles, evening homework, extracurricular activities, teacher meetings, and packing lunches will slowly fade into a dull murmur. You can now focus on that lingering question: To Tutor or Not To Tutor? Summer is a necessary time for families to regroup and recoup, but a little summer chillin’ with a cool tutor has long-lasting beneficial effects. When it comes to our brain, the old adage ‘use it or lose it’ is true. According to research, after 6 weeks of not working that muscle, the quick-thinking skills and ability to retain concepts have a fairly significant decrease. A tutor is a light, easy and personalized way to keep your children in the game with the added benefit of making the transition into the following school year so much easier. Aside from one or two hours per week where you get to have a little YOU time, here are the Fab Four Favorite reasons why families consider enlisting summer tutors. 1) KEEP THAT LEARNING FUN!! School years can be grinding. It is hard for students to maintain genuine curiosity and learning awe when tests, grades, and deadlines are looming over them. Wading through the required curriculum can lead to burnout and loss of inspiration for both the student and the teacher. As tutoring is individualized there’s an opportunity for kids to explore areas that apply to their own lives. This is a chance to affirm the individual interests and passions that each child brings to the table allowing them to feel heard, appreciated, and reignited. If they want to study bugs, or space, or graphic novels or whatever may ignite that spark, summer tutors can use that as the jumping board to all the other topics that will undoubtedly arise from there. As this is a school-to-pool situation without loads of other homework and the pressure of grades, learning feels genuine, exciting, creative, and engaged. 2) NO COMPARE AND DESPAIR One-on-one tutors allow students to focus on their own needs without having to compare themselves to the levels of their other classmates. An average classroom has about 30 students and all students are expected to learn at the same rate. Whether your child is advanced or struggling with a particular subject it may feel unreasonable to the learner to remain within this expectation. If a child gets behind in a subject there is not time for the teachers to go back and make sure that the learning gap has been addressed. This can feel shameful and frustrating when in truth it is as simple as not every child learns the same way. In a relaxed summer environment, a tutor can build a child’s confidence and help them fill in where they might have gotten behind, and furthermore prepare the foundation for concepts introduced in the upcoming year. It is also extraordinarily helpful to have the time to discover what kind of a learner your child is. A tutor can help uncover what techniques work best for each child. And if your child is advanced, then a tutor can push beyond the limitations of a classroom and help your child to explore their fuller potential. Either way, the tutor helps build confidence. Confidence enables children to stay open and present for receiving information. Plus who doesn’t want a confident child?! 3. FOCUS AND ROUTINE. FOCUS AND ROUTINE. AND ONE MORE TIME… FOCUS AND ROUTINE! Kids need routine. Heck, adults need routine. Holding onto organization and time management is a constant battle, then summer comes along, and bam! All that structure that was finally achieved floats away like a pool noodle. Tutoring practices structure and routine throughout the summer months. Keeping on top of and/or building in motivation, study habits, organization, time management, goal setting, test and study strategies, and any kind of practiced focus is going to create emotional and physical space for the more important aspects of the upcoming year. Imagine not having to ask your kids every day to do their homework or not scrambling to create the science fair project the night before! 4. THE SUMMER SLIDE So starting in September with the ‘summer slide’ is not just fancy alliteration. It is a real thing. On average students lose approximately a month of learned subject knowledge during the summer break. Many teachers have to spend the first-month reteaching material from the previous year. A tutor helps keep the previous year’s lessons fresh and forefront and as stated earlier, makes sure the material is completely understood. It is disheartening for a student to start already feeling behind, especially with concepts they have learned and then frustratingly forgotten. Keeping practiced with the learning mindset generates forward motion and makes transitioning back to school so much more fluid. In short, so you can go enjoy your time off, the summer tutor takeaway is Fun, Focus, Confidence, and Fluidity.
For many students, graduation is a rite of passage. It is an experience akin to prom, or getting married— something you’re supposed to do. But there’s another subset of this population. That is the one that focuses on creating generational change. That is to say, first generation graduates. This expression refers to individuals that are the first in their families to graduate. Whether it be from high school or college, there is something meaningful about changing what had come in the past. There is something beautiful about this change. What are the statistical differences? Some say once you get in, you’re set. But that is not entirely true. For first generation college students, there are statistics that suggest getting to the point of graduation is the hardest part! A 2016 study found that about 60% of college students 6 years after entering college did not obtain their secondary degree. The same study found that students who are first generation tend to use necessary offered resources like financial aid more, however resources that focused on well being, like counseling, were used less. This indicates that first gen students may not be clued into the opportunities to support a healthy lifestyle with coping mechanisms in college. Beautiful positive facts First generation students may experience unique challenges that are difficult to hear about. However, the experience is poignant for that fact alone. Some key points to remember for first generation college students includes increasing support for this demographic. 73% of colleges and universities have a formal definition of this cohort. This means institutional recognition of the unique struggles for first generation students. This results in experiences such as experience-based cohorts that share resources through shared identity. Further, this leaves space for programmatic efforts that tackle the same issues as mentioned above— mental and social health. Overall, the percentage, some ⅓- ½ of all college students today are first generation, and their experiences increasingly significant and recognized.
It’s May! Are you feeling like, “Change is overwhelming me.. How do I handle it?” Welcome to the season where school ends, and summertime looms. Standardized exams are impending; final exams, and assignments are being disbursed. Therefore, for many, there’s a lot that changes in this time, so it can be important to think about how to handle changes. Find humor in changes. Actually, there are a lot of biological benefits to finding the sweet, funny spot in changes. Those lovely endorphins are released and we are able to do affiliative bonding, or strengthen social bonds, with others surrounding us. This helps us cope. Find the meaning in the fear. It’s easy to fear new changes like going to a new grade. Or getting a certain grade in a class. But if you take some time to think about why you might be feeling the way you do— relating it to a desire to perform well, or please others, or be a good student— you might be able to reduce the pressure on yourself. As such, you might be able to think of other ways you can fulfill these identity roles. Does being a good student just mean getting good grades? Or does it mean that you tried your best to study? Fearing change is a sign from our emotions that something is up, and deserves to be looked into. Thinking about why we have fear helps us reduce it. Plan ways to take change in stride. If you are overwhelmed by the thought of change, you can act in ways to mitigate that feeling of being overwhelmed. Make small plans to keep a sphere of control. Additionally, ask for help and advice from people in your life that have been through the same situation before. Lastly, try to find organization in your schedule so that you can handle changes like a new school year or a new entire school, one step at a time.
FOCUS- is an increasingly valuable and scarce resource. Despite being a “self-generated” behavior, there are many variables that impact the focus that an individual may have. Before getting into the tactical details, we first must understand what tasks look like in our minds. Our brains must use “task sets” in order to focus. What does this mean and look like? Well, in simple terms, our brain simplifies what it means to have a set of knowledge and skills to complete a task. We make mental assessments of the needed amount of knowledge to complete a task, versus the knowledge we have. Then, we analyze the needed amount of skill and compare it to our own. Based on these quick calculations, we then decide how much effort a task will require. Finally, we base our approach to handling a task by this calculation— will we be able to get it done with our skills and knowledge? In order to harness this knowledge for productive good, we should consider making space and time for tasks. In computer science there is a rule called the 90/90 rule. This rule cheekily suggests that it takes 90% of the effort to get 90% of work completed. Then another 90% of effort to finish the 10% of the task. Ultimately meaning there’s always more work than anticipated! We will always require more time for big tasks. Making time in your calendar to focus is very important to consider. You want to be sure of your own ability to gather resources and relevant information to make the most of your brain!!
Studying nowadays seems nearly impossible. With all that’s going on in the world, there doesn’t seem to be an opportunity for good mental rest and reset that we all really need. Sometimes, it can even be harder to focus! Some studies even suggest that having too many distractions can even affect our senses! When our minds are focused on one or multiple tasks, less mental energy can be focused on more acute senses like smell, taste, and hearing. That’s why sometimes you can’t hear a parent calling when you’re playing video games or reading a book. So, what are some great science backed ways to make sure you’re focused? You might hate to hear it, but reducing phone use is a great way to start off being less distracted. Some studies suggest that the average person looks at their phone once every 12 minutes. That’s a lot of mental distraction! Charge your phone outside of your room. Make the screen black and white to reduce addiction. Delete applications off your phone. All of these strategies will give you a better experience with your mind. Clear your setting of distracting words. Before embarking on a long study or focus period, try to clear your mind by writing down any anxious thoughts. Write in a journal before. Or, if you want to listen to music while focusing, make sure it doesn’t have any words that could also be distracting and reduce your ability to focus. Exercise. How will exercise help you focus? While this may not be an “in the moment” trick, it certainly is a long term habit that will make focusing easier. Exercise is known to boost dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin levels which all affect focus and attention. But! A twist to the exercise is always good for you adage is to exercise at the study table. How do you do this? Get a standing desk. Or change up the chair you use to sit and study. Read notes while pacing. All of these gets the blood pumping and can help improve concentration. Take a break! This is another potentially counter intuitive one, but sometimes, your brain just needs a little reset to be able to get back into the concentration game!
Holistic Approaches Marketing often suggests that academic institutions value quantitative assessments such as GPA and standardized exam scores. These are considered predictors for success in students. But, applicants widely understand that holistic forms of evaluation are valid for candidates in applications. So, how can we account for these differences? What should universities consider when it comes to performance in school and how we can accept students? Essay Content Can Indicate SES In a Stanford study of 60,000 undergraduate applications to the University of Southern California, content written in the personal statements/ essays of applicants were better predictors of socioeconomic status and influence than SAT scores. That might seem obvious. The SAT has recently gone under fire for being a predictor of wealth, more so than a predictor of competence. The study further demonstrated that essays with more content on “human nature” and “seeking answers” tended to be written by applicants with higher reported SES statuses. In contrast, essays with more content about “time management” and family relationships tended to be written by students with lower SES statuses. This correlation shows that certain essay topics may be the framework for recruiting students from a range of backgrounds. Some colleges and universities have begun to account for this impact and consider it in assessing college applications. A Personal Approach to Success A metaanalysis of research papers studied the relationship between socioeconomic status and success in college. They summarized some remarkable learnings. For example, research suggests the importance of social support in success for Latino students such as believing in one’s ability to perform in college. More specifically, believing in one’s capacity as a learner, being excited about learning, and feeling cared about as a student and a person. Many papers suggest that historically underrepresented students, or those from low SES, encounter challenges when they get to college. These make it difficult for them to take advantage of their school’s resources for learning and personal development. This challenge begins when applying for colleges, as students self-select in and out of opportunities they may not feel adequate for, even though their holistic applications may suggest otherwise. How College Can Influence Your Future The topic of socioeconomic status and how it influences applications is very important. SES impacts beyond college itself. Over the course of an individual college graduate’s lifetime, some studies suggest, they will make 1 million dollars more than an individual who has not graduated from college.
Distilling your whole identity in one short statement is certainly a herculean task. How can you get to all the depths of who you are and what makes you worth admissions to a college or program in so many words? Writing a personal statement isn’t easy, but there are ways to break down the complexities of the process and of your own story to help you craft the best personal statement. In this blog, we will break down the process in several parts. Know Thyself Don’t be afraid to take some time to write in some diaries. Reflect on your achievements, and on your worst days. Reflect on the subjects you love, the people you love, and the experiences you love. A personal statement should be reflective of what the title suggests, PERSONAL. Being able to express a clear version of who you are into your writing means you can have the ability to make yourself irreplaceable to the admissions committee. How much can you share in your personal statements? As long as it feels relevant and honest, feel free to make your essay personal. Know About the School/ Program Don’t tell the admissions committee what you think they want to hear, because that can often come off as trite and cheesy. You want to make sure you’re as specific as possible when making applications. Ask yourself, how can I contribute to this school? Is there a particular program the school offers that your experiences would relate to? Use the language, the titles of professors, and all the specific details you know about the program and school in your statement. This helps admissions connect your story with theirs. Add Spunk Are you someone that likes to make jokes? Do you get teased for being grammar obsessed? Or do you like poetry? Rhyming? Arguing? This is what you want to sprinkle into your essay. Add elements of flavor and spunk, or even uniquely well-written language and grammar, into your writing, and you’ll add one more detail that makes you memorable. Draft While surely you will craft a spirited, engaging personal statement by following those tips above, the most useful tip will be to ensure you write not, not two, but multiple drafts. Have a select number of individuals that you love in your life read through the personal statement and address if they feel it’s the most reflective of who you are. Ask them to check for grammatical errors and flow. But, make sure you feel it’s most reflective of who you are and the story you want to tell. Multiple drafts will help you in this process.
The end of February marks the time to start thinking about those AP exams, and other major exams like the SATs in general. In this month’s blog post, let’s check out strategies to effectively calendar and create a study schedule that works for you! Here are 4 considerations. Don’t just study It’s important to create a schedule that accounts for your humanity. Make sure to include times you’ve designated for fun and for rest. Block these times regularly in your calendar. Study challenging concepts at the right time You don’t have to get up at 6AM in the morning every morning to do well on your exams. While you’re organizing your study schedule, make sure you are accounting for YOUR best work hours. If you’re an early bird, or a night owl, be sure to acknowledge your unique best hours. Not all study time needs to be long Got a 30 minute ride to hang out with friends? Waiting for dinner to cook? Use these spare moments to review your flashcards and give your brain a quick rehash of concepts that are easy to forget. Take a practice exam Whether it be for a final, an AP exam, the SATs, GRE, or other standardized test, make sure to go through a practice test at least ONCE to get all the first time exam jitters out. You may not be able to replicate the entire experience, but you WILL be able to have a better understanding of and familiarity with the exam’s logistics and format. Now that these broad considerations are in, it’s time to organize your calendar. There are 3 important steps. Calendar your exam date Add in a treat for the day after, and some last minute flashcards for the day before. The week of, make sure you’re getting a combination of rest and review. Plan out your monthly goals After taking a diagnostic test, add in monthly goals to get a sense of how far you are from your goal score. Take at least one diagnostic test during each month so you can measure your progress. Figure out the hours per week you want to study. Once you have a sense of how many hours you can put in, you can see how much time you will need per day and when you can study more complex material you’re struggling with, given timeslots that are longer. As you can read, there is a lot of strategy and planning that comes with organizing your study schedule. The biggest advice? Make sure you can stick to it!
There’s a lot going on in the world of education right now, and we are learning not only new content, but new ways to show our learning. So, February marks the time to prepare for these new formats of exams. Some of these exams are formatted in a way such that they are hybrid or online. How are this year’s exams different? Let’s start with AP exams. For some popular college credit receiving exams like AP Biology or AP Calculus, it appears the exam will retain much of its pre-Covid structure. Most AP exams will still be in person with paper and pencil, in May. The exam will be administered for many students at the same time, at their specific schools of attendance. Testing centers which host many students taking exams are also prevalent. For a comprehensive look at the policies and guidelines of these standard format exams — which remain standard from many years past, click here. Still however, the pandemic is a factor in exam administration. For AP exams like AP English literature and AP World History, there will be a selection of exams hosted still in school, but online in a digital format. The key takeaways to understand for how these exams will operate differently are: The school must have applied in fall of 2021 to administer the exam online The exam will still be taken at the school in a proctored setting Students will be able to go back and forth online with questions Schools may be able to provide Windows, Mac, Chromebooks or even Ipads for the exam Digital and paper exams will be taken in different locations within the school For graduate degrees, the online format is also variable. The GRE is a good example to understand. A grueling 3 hours and 45 minutes, this exam is known to be tough even prior to the pandemic. With the shifts in learning, the GRE averages 1.5 million test takers with a mean score of around 150 out of 170 for the quantitative and verbal reasoning sections. The exam is entirely administered online. Here are some of the considerations for GRE for adult learners of this time: You can edit your answers and preview sections There is a built-in calculator function You can mark/ review answers on the digital format You can take the exam at home or at a testing facility At home testing is available 24/7 and proctored by an online human proctor. To read more about these exams, click here. With all of these exam changes, it will be interesting to see how students this year fair with online test scores! Seems like a good time to goal-set, and get help tutoring if you need it!
As the next semester begins, we see a current spike in COVID-19 cases. Masks are increasingly necessary and a part of our day-to-day living. So, just like making a strategy for attaining goals, industrious students and teachers familiarize themselves with the CDC guidelines on masking up. However, these guidelines change regularly. Masking as a Part of Culture The changes are so frequent that in true internet-of-things, Generation Z style, memes on the CDC proliferate— joking about all the possibilities of what “the CDC says.” But jokes aside, scientists are creating their content related to masking. For example, novel research looks at how wearing a mask might be related to different levels of emotional awareness. What Science Suggests Scientists who focus on visually impaired individuals studied a sample of 119 individuals. The study focused on the tone of voice, body language, and other emotional indicators. According to this study, the younger the tested individual, the higher the rate of inaccuracy between reading emotions. Children 3-5 years old had the most severe disadvantage in discerning emotions with mask wearers. Such inability led to facial misinterpretation and resulted in some behavior that could be considered inappropriately aggressive. However, for those who were older and grew up with a sense of emotional awareness more acute based on years of practice without a mask, this inability to read emotions correctly was not as dramatic. Younger children “faced,” if you will, all the consequences. It Would Be Best To Mask Up Anyways… While this study may not entirely prove that wearing a mask makes you meaner, it suggests causation between mask-wearing and emotional intelligence. But, perhaps the question is moot. It seems mask-wearing will be a way in congested settings like schools for the foreseeable future. Regardless of how a mask affects emotional development, we are sure that it positively impacts our health. That certainty means you should probably mask up anyways.
It’s a year! After a year of reflecting, dreaming, and expressing gratitude to teachers in the Covid 19 Pandemic, we’ve come to an impasse on making the most of our pandemic lives. So what’s the next step? Meeting goals doesn’t just come with designing your life. It comes with a strategic, brain-aware way to approach accomplishment. Challenging Yourself Neuroscientists have been interested in goal setting and how to challenge the experience mentally. Students making academic goals can also learn something from neuroscience. The neuroscience community suggests that even HAVING goals is helpful to direct the way our brain forms connections and thoughts. More goals = more connections. A new framework suggests that making changes in behavior requires a shift in two axes: level of skill, knowledge, the ability needed for action; and status of motivation. An example of this behavior on the high ends of motivation and level of skill and familiarity is navigating a new city for the first time. This action is HIGH on both axes because it shows an exciting challenge necessary to undergo if one is traveling. There is motivation and dexterity. Considering Executive Function So, how would you use this new framework? Well, thinking about the brain’s executive function (how various parts of our brains work together to complete a task that requires attention, working memory, inhibitory control, and planning) provides insight. Executive function rests on taking novel experiences and information and responding to them to normalize a response. This activity is referred to as “habit formation.” Suppose the brain is a limited resource with constant energetic needs. In that case, executive function is also limited in its ability to perform tasks and choose which ones are the most important to standardize and form a habit. What does this suggest? Practice! Practice makes more than perfect. Perhaps another obvious solution, but a plenty important one. Using our brains to actively work on a goal and doing it over and over simply by quantity is a neuroscientifically suggested method of achieving your goals.
To Design A Successful Education, Start at Winter Break Design thinking is a burgeoning field and phrase that piques the curiosity of many industrious individuals. Across disciplines, design thinking has mapped the way for increased satisfaction in life, career, and now education. So, a combination of reflection and neuroscience intersect here. As we find ourselves in the Winter season, it is worth thinking about designing a more successful life and how starting at Winter break can begin that path in education. What is Design Thinking? The Harvard University School of Education denotes Design Thinking as “In practice, … a structured framework for identifying challenges, gathering information, generating potential solutions, refining ideas, and testing solutions.” Tenets of this process include intentionally failing and repeatedly trying new things until something sticks. A standard summary of the process looks like these five steps done over and over until a solution: Empathize. Think about yourself, your community, your audience. Is there a challenge that comes to mind? Define. After considering those that the challenge affects, think about why this problem exists and define that challenge clearly. Ideate. Brainstorm different ways you can address the challenge. Intentionally list assumptions of the challenge and attempt to defy them. List out bad ideas too! And impossible ones Prototype. Come up with solutions you’d want to test. Then, narrow down what is feasible Test. Test your solutions! See what works, what’s helpful, what’s not, and then try again! As you can see, the process reflects thoughtfulness and emphasizes trial and error. What does Design thinking have to do with happiness? In 2018, Yale University was one early academic institution that brought the concept of design thinking to the forefront of education. In a class entitled “Psyc 157: Psychology and the Good Life,” psychologist Laurie Santos taught students how to regulate their daily lives and include moments of gratitude and self-care. As a part of the course, tenets of Design Thinking were encouraged, such as empathizing with yourself when you are experiencing new activities— actively asking, “Is this bringing me joy?” Another positive mindset that derives from Design Thinking is the concept of relating who you are, what you believe, and what you do. If you get stuck answering these questions, use the Design Thinking method! Santos has since renamed her class “The Science of Well-Being,” and some 3 million individuals are now taking the course online. How do I use Design Thinking during my winter break? So, when it comes to implementing Design Thinking into your life and particularly your academic career, it’s important to remember what you care about. First, take time this winter break to consider empathy for yourself, whether as a student or parent. Then think of challenges you’ve faced in these roles of your life. What’s not working? What feels hard? Next, come up with some solutions that may be impossible to happen: daydream about that vacation, take your favorite class on baking, and get perfect grades without studying so hard… Then consider, “what might be some possible solutions to these challenges that nurture me and are feasible?” For example, does it make sense to do fewer activities to have more energy on the subjects you love? Does getting organized in school and with all the calendars prove helpful to make sure you have time to study when it counts and relax when you can? Lastly, make sure to test out some of these ideas! Organize your calendar! Read a little more on that subject that’s been challenging! Talk to your teachers and see how you can optimize your studying for that ONE challenging class. Remember, Design Thinking is all about trying things out until you find something that works. This is the perfect time to strategize for the upcoming year during winter break! To design a successful education, start at winter break!
How Your Crazy Covid Dreams Might be Helping You Learn As winter approaches, the days are shorter and nights longer. Besides spending time in self-reflection, now’s the time for plenty of naps and sleeping. As a result, you might find yourself having stranger dreams than usual. Some studies now suggest that such dreams may result in memory consolidation. They can also result in an ability to understand complicated experiences digested during the day. Lots of strange dreams during Covid Are you having lots of strange dreams during the Covid pandemic? When looking at a sample of 1091 Italian participants and asking for their self-reported experiences in slumber, one study found that “dream frequency, emotional load, vividness, bizarreness and length” were all rated higher during the pandemic when compared to a pre-lockdown period. You are not alone. Additionally, individuals noted a higher increase in “negative emotions” when assessing their dreams. Finally, predisposition to some factors, such as sensitivity to depression, were predictive of such “strange” dreams. Dreaming to learn Tufts University neuroscientist Erik Hoel suggests that these dreams may be a process our brains go through to learn. His reasoning? Well, we know that dreams are amalgamations of experiences that we have throughout our days. Dr. Hoel believes that due to the monotonous nature of our lockdown experiences, our brains may be trying to create novelty in our subconscious minds to help us glean insights from what would otherwise be routine experiences. Therefore, these strange dreams may serve as intelligence in our working memory to teach us from new experiences, whether real or imagined at night. Practice makes perfect While these researchers try to make sense of the bizarre and unanticipated externalities of a global pandemic, many different hypotheses are coming into play when analyzing dreams. Another assumption is that dreams are ways our brains allow us to practice responding to real-life situations that have not yet occurred. Thus, the more you can “practice” in your dream, the more you can be prepared to perform in real life. What’s weird? Despite there not being one consensus when it comes to why we are experiencing dreams that are “strange” during Covid, there is a lot of interest in the field of understanding such experiences. As a result, the concept of “overfitting” is an idea that has permeated circles of scientists asking why we dream the way we do. This concept argues that dreams are weird because if they weren’t, we’d never be able to get new insights into our daily lives. Dreaming strange dreams might be normal, just as much as learning, whether you expect it or not, can be. Either way, your crazy Covid dreams might be helping you learn!
At first we were concerned with October exhaustion, now, it’s time to use self-reflection to measure your academic success! Importantly, as a diligent student, you must ask yourself questions through self-reflection in critical moments. Over time, these reflective questions will build an understanding of how you best approach education, and contribute to your success as a lifelong learner. How are you doing? Have you reflected lately on your educational process? Additionally, have you taken stock of your school work and learning, noting where you did well and didn’t? Students, teachers and all in the education space may react differently to questions of self-reflection. So, it’s no wonder that reflection is important! With November coming upon us, now is the best time to take stock of your progress and for students to check in with themselves while learning. In order to make sure you getting the most out of your educational process as it continues to build over time, here are some questions to consider: What have I learned? When was a time when I struggled with learning a new concept? Where do I learn best? What are the characteristics of these places? How do I learn best? What are the tools I’m using? Who do I learn best from? With? What are their characteristics? Which subjects are the most interesting to me? Reflection drive direction Asking self-reflective questions like those above during this fall season will help you perform better as a student. Studies suggest that self-reflection helps with a “growth mindset” attributed to Carol Dweck, psychology professor of Stanford University. Those individuals who exhibit a mindset that they are able to grow and learn through their failures and challenges are able to achieve more of their goals. Self-reflection such as asking these questions, or even any others you think of, is the cornerstone to measure your academic success to ensure continuous improvement. As Shakespeare once said, “know thyself”.
Overwhelmed in October? Students, parents, and teachers all understand the feeling of being overwhelmed this year. The ongoing Covid-19 pandemic exacerbates this feeling. It’s time to support our teachers. Because of Covid, fatigue takes a new depth in meaning this October, teachers note the month as the most challenging work-wise. This slump— referred to as ‘October exhaustion’— occurs when the ambitious goals set during the summer are faced with realities of student performance and added layers of work. So, this year giving a little extra TLC to your students’ teachers may make a difference in their education. Here are some ways to support our educators as October comes to a close. Celebrate success with your teachers! Has your student learned a new, critical skill this year with the help of your teacher? Has the transition from online to in-person (to potentially online again!) been particularly well-thought-of? Even the slightest note of gratitude can be meaningful to hear in this unprecedented time. Growth is happening! It may be a good reminder for you too. If you have something nice to say, share it! Practice psychological safety. Because many businesses going remote, there is no spare time to do much relationship building. That’s why when there is a designated time to communicate, like parent-teacher conferences, you want to make the most of your time. Practicing psychological safety means sharing just enough compassion in your communications and asking open-ended questions such that teachers will feel safe to open up to you and express their genuine concerns for your student. It may be an outlet for you to express yours too. Offer face time during Covid. This is not a suggestion for personal phone calls. Considering the current world of online learning, encouraging a “video on” rule for your student’s online education helps. Context allowing. Teachers appreciate being able to see facial feedback. Research suggests it stimulates such emotions as empathy and emotional connectedness— all behaviors that would contribute to the success of your student’s education. Further research also indicates that seeing the faces of students increases motivation for teachers. Build community. In addition to teaching itself, teachers are tasked with long-term curriculum planning, communicating with admin and parents, and a deluge of other tasks. By building a community among other caretakers, you add one more safety net for your student’s education and support teachers through community. Reflect to Support! Maybe your student is struggling during this time because your teacher needs support too. Be sure to reflect on desired outcomes for the school year. What can you easily communicate with your teacher that would support understanding the needs of your student? This small act of awareness goes a long way in conserving mental space, giving room for teachers to breathe as they move toward the winter months.