Have you ever wondered, “When should I take the ACT or SAT?” Is there an ideal time to take these tests? How about prep courses? It is difficult for students to decide which of 7 annual SAT or ACT tests they should prepare to take. The answer is not simple; there are many factors that…
Student attitude and involvement in the college prep process has a major impact on their success. If a student is physically present, but mentally or emotionally absent, they may not see any progression in their test score results. Likewise, a negative attitude can be a real nail in the coffin for college prep success. Therefore, students taking the ACT…
Many parents struggle to get their kids to open up. We’d like to stay informed with the events in our children’s lives, but that becomes impossible when they refuse to talk to us. So what are the right questions for kids to open up and communicate with you? When and how should you ask them?…
Previously, we spoke about achieving a growth mindset, or the belief that intelligence, talent, and ability are qualities we can develop with work, focus, and time. People with a growth mindset are more resilient and more successful than their fixed-mindset counterparts. This week, we are building on some of those concepts by discussing the value of…
Shaping Your Mindset to Create Success I often find myself explaining to a young generation that “back in my day,” people used to fail. Can you imagine that? In a world chock-full of participation trophies, self-esteem management, and protectionist parenting, the word “failure” is a dirty word. We are a success-crazed society. But if…
So you’ve taken the SAT. You’ve gotten a decent score, and you think you’re done with standardized testing forever. Congratulations! You are like most students your age. However, if you’re looking for a bit of an edge on your applications, and you’re an excellent math student, you might want to consider the SAT Math Subject…
Your essay can make or break your college application. In fact, a stellar college admission essay can make up for a lower GPA or a mediocre standardized test score. But even if the rest of your application looks amazing, don’t slack on your essay! Your essay tells the story of you, so make sure it’s…
Thinking is an activity that we tend to take for granted. Most of us do it without… well, thinking about it. But metacognition — the awareness of one’s own thought process — has benefits for everyone, especially school-aged children. In fact, helping students to develop metacognitive skills can have tremendous effects, within and outside the classroom. The trick…
Of all the sections on the ACT, the only part that is optional is the ACT Writing section. That means you’re home free, right? No reason to take it if it’s not required! Not quite. While it’s true that the ACT writing section is separate and optional, some colleges still require that score…
Final exams season is approaching, which means it’s time to dust off those highlighters, whip out those note-cards, and get down to business! You might already have a study routine in place. But if this time of year leaves you floundering, here are some tips on how to survive your final exams. A note before…
