A new year, a new you
January 8th, 2018The new year is a time to start over for many people, which makes January the perfect opportunity to make productive changes in your life. Gym memberships are at an all time high right now and many people use the new year to adjust eating habits and kick their workouts into high gear. Aside from that aspect of getting fit, I am here to offer you some resolutions that will whip this academic year into shape!
The article we link you to today is written for college students, but applies to high school and boarding school students as well. Writer Kelci Lynn Lucier’s ideas are inspiring and achievable, which makes this piece especially useful to all. Here is to making 2018 your best academic year yet!
Published December 17, 2017
Written by: Kelci Lynn Lucier (for Thoughtco.com)
While New Year’s Eve often brings a party, the new year itself often brings great hopes for change and growth. If you’re a college student, the new year presents the perfect time to set some resolutions that can help make your academic year more positive, productive, and enjoyable.
Good New Year’s resolutions, of course, are not just those that address the things in your life you’d like to change or improve upon; they also are realistic enough that you’re more likely than not to stick with them.
Read more at ThoughtCo >>Tagged: Boarding school, Choices, College, High school, Opportunity
Use Your PreACT, PSAT performance to choose a college entrance exam
September 5th, 2017Now that most schools are in session, we hope everyone is settling into the groove of routines and schedules again. September is the month for all juniors and some sophomores to register for the October PSAT, so this article is perfectly timed to share. School counselors will share details about the PSAT calendar and how to register.
Many seniors begin the year with plans to retake either the ACT and/or the SAT (some took advantage of the College Board’s August test date). But juniors and their parents often ask how to determine which exam is right for the student. Most of you have discussed with us taking an ACT practice test to compare to the PSAT; according to the US News article linked below, evaluating your performance on the PSAT and the Pre-ACT is also a helpful way to determine which exam is right. We can compare results, consult a concordance table, and then develop a plan for tests and dates to follow.
One important note: although the article suggests otherwise, all colleges weigh the ACT and SAT equally now, so there need not be concern about any college preferring one over the other.
Article referenced below from US News
Choosing between the ACT and SAT is a pivotal decision that all college-bound high school students must make. One of the key steps in reaching an informed decision is to sit for an official practice test – the PreACT or PSAT – which give you a better idea of what to expect when you take the official college entrance exams.
In addition to considering other factors, such as whether your top-choice schools prefer a specific standardized exam, your performance on these pre-exams can help guide you in choosing between the ACT and SAT.
Tagged: ACT, College, High school, SAT
Selecting high school courses
April 17th, 2017Our blog has placed a lot of focus on high school seniors lately as they wrap up the college search process and make major decisions about their academic future. This week, we turn to important decisions high school freshmen, sophomores and juniors will soon be facing, selecting courses for next school year. The high school transcript is the most important document that college admissions officers examine, and on today’s blog we find out how to make your transcript the best it can be.
In the article we share below, posted from the Yale admissions office, insight is given into what Yale admissions officers are looking for. We believe this will help Shrop Ed readers understand what other schools seek, as well. Important take-away from this article: challenge yourself as much as you can, while taking classes that you will excel in and enjoy.
Article published below from Yale Admissions Office website
Many high school sophomores and juniors (and their parents) want to know what courses to take to improve their chances for admission to Yale and other highly competitive colleges. With the caveat that every situation is different, here is some advice to help guide you as you make these decisions.
A Holistic Approach to Admissions
The high school transcript is almost always the most important document in a student’s application. But it is hard to conceive of a situation in which the appearance (or absence) of any one particular class on a transcript would determine the applicant’s outcome. The admissions committee does not make its decisions based on a piecemeal review of an applicant’s recommendations, test scores, activities, or individual elements of a high school transcript. It considers each application as a comprehensive picture of that student.
Read more at Yale Admissions >>Tagged: Applications, College, High school
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
