Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Tips of the Week - October, 22, 2012

For students with the graduation year of:

2015 & Above: Check-in with your teachers.   See what grades you have in each of your classes.  If you are unhappy with your current grade, ask your teacher what you can do to improve. Create a timeline with your teacher to monitor your progress.

2014: What are you looking for in a college?  There are many factors to consider in finding the right college.  As you begin your college search, take time to consider these factors: location, student body, academics, and type (ex. public or private). Having a clear picture will help you in your college search.

2013:  Healthy Habits for test taking.  There are many healthy habits that you can begin right now to prepare for the SAT on Saturday, November 3. Getting enough rest is always important. Be sure that you are getting a good night’s sleep the 3 nights prior to the test. Eat a healthy breakfast to provide you with the fuel you will need to stay alert throughout the test. Also, light exercise can help you to focus. Taking a ten minute walk before the test may help alleviate any pre-exam jitters. Remember to take deep breaths. One question at a time!

2012 & Below:  Stay on track! With the majority of midterms being over, now is the time to create goals for the second half of the semester. Take another look at your syllabus for each class to determine how many more assignments, papers, and tests you will have before the end of the course. Make an appointment with your professors outside of class during their office hours to discuss your current grades and ways to improve if needed.

Sincerely,

Your Friends at Ensphere College Planning Services

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Tips of the Week - October 22, 2012

For students with graduation year of:

2015 & Above:  Take time to think about possible career paths.  If you are not sure where to start, begin by completing the assessments on your Springboard account.  These assessments will provide career paths based on your results.  Research the different career paths to see which ones you are interested in pursuing.

2014: Attend college fairs. Listen to your school’s announcements or stop by your guidance department to find information on upcoming college fairs near you. Pick up brochures from colleges that interest you. Fill out the inquiry cards so you can get more information sent to you from those schools. Ask the admission representatives the questions you have about their colleges.

2013:  Prep for college interviews.  Some schools require or offer interviews with admissions officers and/or alumni.  If you have a scheduled interview or are planning to schedule an interview, tune in to our Expert Session on Tuesday, October 30 at 8:00PM EST. You will hear for tips on how to prepare for your interview.  Dial (712)338-8065 with access code 6079# to join us on the call.

2012 & Below:  Attend a career fair. It is not too early to start thinking about a spring or summer internship! Stop by your college’s career center to find information on upcoming career fairs near you. Research information on the participating companies and organizations prior to attending. Be prepared to supply multiple copies of your resume, and create a list of questions to ask each representative.

Sincerely,

Your Friends at Ensphere College Planning Services.

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Tips of the Week - October 15, 2012

For students with the graduation year of:

2015 & Above:  Understand what’s most important.  It is essential to be aware that your high school transcript – a document that outlines your course work, grades, attendance and other important information – will be the most significant item when you apply to college.  Therefore, strive for high grades, good attendance, and take rigorous course to achieve a strong transcript.

2014: Plan college visits.  During your junior year, you should make it a priority to visit colleges you are interested in attending.  Visiting colleges is the best way for you to get an idea if the college is a right fit for you.  Sit down as a family and have a discussion about what colleges you should visit and when.

2013:  The clock is ticking!  Most Early Action deadlines are November 1.   If you are planning on applying Early Action to any of your schools, check the admission deadline and finalize your application ASAP!
 
2012 & Below:  Beware of plagiarism
.  Taking credit for another person’s thoughts or words by plagiarizing or cheating is grounds for expulsion at most colleges, even if you didn’t plagiarize on purpose.  Know how to cite your sources within your papers and do so consistently.  Your instructors may specify which formatting style in which they would like you to cite (such as APA or MLA).

Sincerely,

Your Friends at College Planning Network

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Tip of the Week - October 8, 2012

For students with the graduation year of:

2012 and Below: 30-3-2. Time to study! Maximize your time by using the 30-3-2 study method. Study intensely for 30 minutes then take a 3 minute break to think about other things or get a drink of water. When you return to study, take 2 minutes to mentally recall information from the previous 30 minute session before starting in on the next.

2013:  Be on the lookout for local scholarships. Your guidance office will be a great resource for finding these. Check with the local Rotary Club, Historical Societies, or Academic Boosters club for awards for students in your town. These will usually be in the $500-$2,000 range, which can really help in the financing of your education.

2014:  Start something new! If you have considered the clubs and organizations your high school has to offer and found nothing that interests you, you might want to consider forming your own. What are you passionate about? Who do you know who has the same interests? Once you have determined these factors, talk to a teacher who can help you turn your ideas into action!

2015 and Above:  Start thinking about how to best approach the SAT and ACT. 
Now that you are in high school and working hard to keep your GPA and course selection at the highest possible level, you should also be thinking about how to best approach taking the SAT and ACT tests.  These tests are crucial in placement at your preferred colleges.

Strategies for you to consider would be to start reading the Wall Street Journal, Novels-especially the classics, National Geographic magazine, and the daily newspaper.  Books, magazines and texts that are rich in vocabulary and thought-provoking ideas are what you want to include in your activities during your high school years.  Since you have time to strengthen your vocabulary skills, you do not need to speed read or memorize terms each week, but rather take a more relaxed approach in which you can enjoy learning and building your skill level.

Sincerely,

Your Friends at Ensphere College Planning Services