How can I stay motivated?
October 18th, 2016October seems to be the month for fall slump, doesn’t it? The school year that seemed so shiny and new in August and September has somehow become routine and maybe even overwhelming at times. Some students are showing signs of motivation flagging, so we thought the suggestions in today’s article link might be helpful and timely. Onward and upward!
Article below published August 30, 2013
Written by: Thorin Klosowski
Dear Lifehacker,
Recently, I’ve been too bored or unmotivated to do my school assignments. No matter how hard I try to actually focus on it, after a half hour, my mind tells me, “No more! Let’s take a break!” I’m not sure why these productivity techniques aren’t working for me. Is there a way to actually get past this “not wanting to work” mentality?
Sincerely,
Fun Motivated
Dear FM,
A lack of motivation to finish school work (or just work in general) is a tough nut to crack, and there are all kinds of possible reasons why you might struggle with staying motivated after you start. A lot of different things can kill your motivation, so let’s take a look at a few possible ways to diagnose and fix the problem.
Tagged: Choices, High school, Personal characteristics
Are dual-enrollment programs overpromising?
September 26th, 2016There are so many positives when high school students look into dual-enrollment programs. Dual-enrollment courses may save you thousands of dollars on tuition, look great on your college application, and help you prepare for college. However, there is a downside to all of these positives that we believe is important to look into before jumping on the dual-enrollment bandwagon: not all colleges award credit for these courses.
It is key to check with the schools to which you are applying to determine whether they will accept your dual-enrollment credits; some will not accept them at all. Other colleges will accept these credits but will not allow them to go towards your major course of study, in turn making students and parents disappointed.
Dual-enrollment programs are still a work in progress and therefore each college and university has its own set of requirements. Catherine Gewertz, author of the article posted below from Education Week, brings up many critical factors to consider when deciding whether to participate in a dual-enrollment program.
Article below published September 6, 2016
Written by: Catherine Gewertz
The popularity of dual-enrollment programs has soared nationally as high school students clamor to try college-level work. But the movement is dogged by questions about one of its key selling points: that students can get a jump-start on college by transferring those credits.
Take the case of Sabrina Villanueva. As an ambitious high school student in Dallas, she earned 12 credits at a local community college by taking speech, government, psychology, and sociology. Because the courses were part of a dual-enrollment partnership, they counted toward her high school graduation requirements, too.
Read more at Education Week >>Tagged: Choices, College, High school
Beyond BookSmart: setting priorities
September 6th, 2016We came across a Priority Matrix Guide developed by Beyond BookSmart recently, and thought it would be so valuable to our students that we asked if we could share a link. Jackie Stachel’s enthusiastic response included an offer to be a guest blogger, and we’re delighted to feature her in our blog today.
Please note that when you click on the link to the Priority Matrix Guide on Beyond BookSmart’s website, you will be asked for your email address.
Guest blogger:
Jackie Stachel, MS CCC-SLP (based on text written by Laura Moy)
Senior Coach & Director of Communications, Beyond BookSmart
For many parents and kids, making the choice to cut certain activities from an overwhelmed student’s schedule can be challenging. It’s likely that you both have strong beliefs about what activities are most important and you simply cannot come to an agreement on priorities. The best way to win that battle is with empirical data, as opposed to opinions. Beyond BookSmart, an Executive Function coaching company, has created a tool to help students evaluate their activities. Their Priority Matrix Guide provides a step-by-step process to help students select meaningful priorities and achieve a better work-life balance.
Please let us know if you find the guide useful!
Tagged: Choices, Opportunity, Personal characteristics
