Starting Your Own Initiative as a High School Student

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College Credit for High Schoolers

 By Keniya B.

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Sleep

Animoto created by Natalie M. 

Learn about the importance of sleep and the impact sleep has on individuals- especially teens!

This Animoto highlights: 

- What sleep is

- How much is needed

- Correlation between sleep and health

- Negative effects of sleep deprivation 

- What you can do to improve sleep patterns

For optimal viewing, please press the pause button on the video below. 

How to Survive Summer School

How to Survive Summer School!

 By Sylvia S. adapted from the article “Amy's Survival Guide to Summer School” by Amy, a former TutorTalk Editor

Introduction 

Whether you’re a savant or novice when it comes to online learning, summer courses require a different mindset than traditional classes. This presentation will show you a step-by-step process for succeeding in an NCVirtual summer course. 

Tip: Before we get started congratulate yourself! Choosing to participate in an NCVirtual class over the summer shows great initiative and true determination. Relax, you’re going to do fine! 

Below is a presentation displaying 5 important steps for success in an NCVirtual summer course: 

  

Conclusion

It may feel like a lot, but if you can apply these steps to your summer course you will be well on your way to success! Ask any questions you have now! The PTC team is here and ready to help you. Carefully managing your summer won’t ruin the fun. With luck, your NCVirtual class will add to your summer plans rather than impede them. Who knows, you may find you prefer translating Latin from your lounge chair on the beach or next to a pool rather than hunched over your desk at home.

Click the image above to access a peer tutor! :-)

Tip: For additional information on motivational and time management strategies, check out these previous TutorTalk articles:

• http://NCVirtualpeertutor.blogspot.com/2012/05/excels-magic-word.html
• http://ncvpspeertutor.blogspot.com/2016/02/have-no-fear-time-management-is-here.html 
• http://ncvpspeertutor.blogspot.com/2016/03/the-stairway-to-success.html 
• http://ncvpspeertutor.blogspot.com/search/label/studying

Psychology, Stress, and Uncertain Futures: Confronting the Coronavirus Pandemic

By: Gracie B.

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No attribution required

With all of the uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, we are living in an extraordinarily stressful time. Social distancing to prevent the spread of the virus presents many challenges to students and families across the world. The CDC cites that teens are especially vulnerable to crisis-related anxiety. After spending our entire school careers preparing for life after graduation, it is undoubtedly frightening to have our futures suddenly shrouded in ambiguity. Now, perhaps more than ever, it is important to take care of both our physical and mental health. Maintaining positivity and stability is crucial to fostering the courage and resilience that will carry us through this difficult season. 

The internet is full of endless ideas on how to relieve stress, but the reality is that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to wellbeing. While many people use deep breathing or meditation to destress, there are countless other, less conventional ways to blow off steam. CDC experts assert that simply partaking in enjoyable activities fosters positive mental health. Whether you enjoy jamming out on your guitar or snuggling up with a good book, find fun and engaging ways to fill your spare time. 

In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, it can be surprisingly difficult to make time for hobbies we enjoy. High schoolers tend to be consumed by extrinsic motivations, meaning that we participate in activities primarily to win awards and to bolster our college applications. The coronavirus has removed many of the extrinsic motivators in our lives. We no longer receive any outward gratification for outsourcing our classmates on a calculus test or crushing the opposing team in a soccer game. Seniors are facing the possibility that no one will deliver the coveted valedictory speech or flaunt a scholar’s medal at graduation. Self-isolation has forced us to rely on intrinsic motivation: we must prioritize goals that are truly important to us as individuals rather than focusing on what society deems valuable.

As the world around us changes rapidly, we are flooded with reminders to remain positive. Time and time again, research has shown that optimism has a wide range of health benefits. However, many teenagers gravitate towards pessimism, and disappointment can exacerbate a vicious cycle of negativity. If you have a penchant towards negativity, consider finding productive ways to tap into your own cynicism. Questioning is a key component of critical thinking, especially in an age of rampant misinformation. Doubt reminds us that we shouldn’t believe everything we hear and encourages us to exercise caution to protect ourselves and others.

However, a healthy dose of realism also illustrates that our lives are not over and that there is hope for a much brighter future. Hope may be the most important building block of resilience. Psychologists associate the loss of hope with a phenomenon known as learned helplessness, which describes the tendency to give up when one feels powerless. The development of a sense of control is the key to breaking the cycle of learned helplessness and fueling a more positive outlook. Methods of establishing a sense of control include taking small steps towards overarching goals and practicing self-acceptance. NFL star Tony Dungy once said, “You can’t always control circumstances. However, you can always control your attitude, approach, and response.” We are not in control of the pandemic, but we have the power to shape our reactions. We have a unique opportunity to decide how our generation will resurge from the coronavirus pandemic. By striding forward with strength, tenacity, and compassion, we will emerge from this crisis with our heads held high.

Works Cited

“Learned Helplessness.” Psychology Today, Sussex Publishers, www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/learned-helplessness.

“Mental Health and Coping During COVID-19.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/managing-stress-anxiety.html.

Myers, David G. Psychology (High School Printing). 9th ed., Freeman/Worth, 2011.

“Tony Dungy.” Biography.com, A&E Networks Television, 28 Aug. 2019, www.biography.com/athlete/tony-dungy.

“Tony Dungy Quote: ‘You Can't Always Control Circumstances. However, You Can Always Control Your Attitude, Approach, and Response.".” Quotefancy, quotefancy.com/quote/1169140/Tony-Dungy-You-can-t-always-control-circumstances-However-you-can-always-control-your.

“You've Got This: Mental Tricks to Feel in Control When Everything Is Going Wrong.” Reader's Digest, www.rd.com/advice/work-career/feel-in-control/.

What About AP Exams?

By: Asha S.

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What to Do When You Feel like School is Taking Over Your Life

By: Sonia G.

Copyright free

Does the school week ever seem like a boring routine to you? Do your days look the same? Do you have time for family and friends, or do you feel like school is taking over every aspect of your life? School should be a priority, but it should not be the only one. Your family, friends, and possibly religion are also a priority, and if you play a sport or do activities outside of school, you have even more priorities to balance. But sometimes, school and all the stress that comes along with it can feel like it’s taking over everything. 

You might feel like your projects and studying barely leave you with time to interact with family and friends. Or that all of the cumulative stress leaves you unable to function. Either way, I have developed a plan that can help you whenever you begin to feel like school is becoming your life. 

First, I would recommend that you take breaks. If you can find a way to work and then take a break, you can give yourself a boost of energy. Your break can be as quick as checking your email or as lengthy as watching a movie. Just make sure that whatever you choose, your break is not longer than your work time and still allows time for you to finish the rest of your work. 

Another idea is for you to work during times that you do not typically think of as being opportunities to do schoolwork. Depending on your school, you may have a study hall or designated time when you can work. If you’re not as lucky, I would like to point out times that you may have overlooked. For example, on the ride to and from school, you have time to read and study. At lunch, you can create a study group with other friends and study, do worksheets, or work on projects. By applying this principle to your own life, you may also find other “free periods” that you can take advantage of. This will help you free up space so that you don’t have as much to do. 

Finally, I would like to suggest that you allow yourself to relax. Take time to do things that you enjoy so that you can approach your schoolwork with a clear mind. When you are able to focus on your assignments, you are much more likely to put forth the best effort possible and do much better than you could have done when distracted. 

Scientifically Proven Study Tips

By: Sonia G.

Studying can feel like a chore. Some students study for hours and cannot seem to improve their grades, while other students do not study at all and easily maintain “perfect” averages. There are many myths around the topic of studying, but have no fear, scientifically proven study tips are here.

1. Study before you sleep

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What do you do before you go to bed? Many people wind down by reading or listening to music, but it might be worthwhile to try studying. In a 2012 study by the University of Notre Dame, psychologists studied 207 students who habitually slept for at least six hours per night. Participants were randomly assigned to study different types of word pairs at 9 a.m. or 9 p.m. and returned for testing 30 minutes, 12 hours or 24 hours later. At the 12-hour retest, memory overall was much better following a night of sleep compared to a day of wakefulness.¹ So next time you learn a difficult concept in class, consider studying before you go to bed.

2. Study out loud

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Talking to yourself can feel weird. People tend to look at you and you draw a lot of attention to yourself. But when it comes to studying by yourself, you may study better when you study out loud. One study shows that people who explain ideas to themselves learn almost three times more than those who don’t. The Harvard Business Review stated that “talking to ourselves is crucial to self-explaining and generally helpful for learning. For one thing, it slows us down — and when we’re more deliberate, we typically gain more from an experience.” ² When University of Illinois psychologist Brian Ross enrolled in a computer course, he found it hard to keep up with his younger counterparts. After reading assigned texts, he asked himself, “What did I just read? How does that fit together? Have I come across this idea before?” This helped him guide his self-studying, and these same questions can be used as you self-study. Next time you study, consider studying out loud (just not in the library).

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3. Exercise before you study

Do you like going for a jog in the evening? Do you like to do yoga before bed? No matter your answer, you may want to incorporate some exercise into your studying schedule. Exercise stimulates a brain structure called the hippocampus, which research has shown is important for reasoning and memory. Besides short-term boosts in cognition, regular exercise can help slow down the shrinkage of the hippocampus that comes with age. Additionally, exercise helps reduce levels of the stress hormone cortisol. By doing just 20 minutes of physical activity before studying, you not only get in a good workout, but you also harness the stress-reducing, positive cognitive effects that can assist you as you study.³

As you read this, it is my hope that you will consider incorporating these tips into your study routine. You may find that after using these tips you will see an improvement in your grades, or your study time will become more efficient. Even if you feel comfortable not studying, it is still a skill that can help you in the future by helping you become more confident in your answers. By making the most of your study time, you may grow to appreciate it and might actually learn something new. Studying is a good skill to hone in high school and can be helpful throughout your future career and other endeavors, if you do it correctly.

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¹ University of Notre Dame. “Sleeping after Processing New Info Most Effective, New Study Shows.” Notre Dame News, 23 Mar. 2012, https://news.nd.edu/news/learning-best-when-you-rest-sleeping-after-processing-new-info-most-effective-new-study-shows/.
² Boser, Ulrich, et al. “Talking to Yourself (Out Loud) Can Help You Learn.” Harvard Business Review, 25 Sept. 2017, https://hbr.org/2017/05/talking-to-yourself-out-loud-can-help-you-learn.
³ Pittman, Olivia, et al. “5 Study Hacks Proven By Science.” College Raptor Blog, https://www.collegeraptor.com/find-colleges/articles/tips-tools-advice/5-study-hacks-proven-by-science-and-why-they-work/.

A Letter to My Peers

By: Sonia G. 

To all my fellow high schoolers,

Picture by Angelina N.

As we find ourselves preparing for a new school year filled with new adventures, I would like to encourage you to continue to strive for excellence. Continue to push yourself to try new things. Join a new club at your school or better yet, start something that you’ve always wanted to participate in. As a rising junior, I find myself with only a short time left in high school. I have realized that you have to take advantage of every opportunity available. High school is the time to make connections, so take this school year as the time to put yourself out there and meet new people. You should also take this year to experiment in all aspects of your life. Figure out what works for you because the habits that you develop now will influence your physical and mental health in the future. 

While there will be a lot of exciting things to work on this year, I also have some advice for you all. Whatever isn’t working for you, whatever is keeping you from being who you want to be and whatever is holding you back from moving on, push it away. Find what works for you, and eliminate everything else. I always like to refer people to the 90 percent rule, which states that if an item or activity’s rating is less than 90 out of 100, your response should be “no”. I believe that this rule should be used to allow you to purge the negativity from your life. Use this rule to help yourself quit harmful habits and to replace those habits with practices that will help you improve your life. 

When the first day of school arrives, if it hasn’t already, remember to make the most of this year. If you are a rising freshman, know that high school and middle school are vastly different. If you did not enjoy middle school, that does not mean that you won’t enjoy high school. If you didn’t enjoy high school, then try looking at it through a different lens. I believe that with the support from your friends and family, you will be able to make your high school years unforgettable. This school year, eliminate the things that are holding you back, and take advantage of every opportunity that you can to find what gives YOU purpose, a purpose that may be your driving force for long past your high school years. 

The NCVPS Student Research Alliance: A Platform for Innovation

By: Gracie B.

"Photo a day project: December 2005" by Jenny Lee Silver is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0

In high school, coursework is often prescribed. Many students fill their schedules with classes to meet graduation requirements or to build impressive resumes for college applications. Their true passions are stifled by excessive academic and extracurricular obligations. Yet, learning becomes more fulfilling and purposeful when it is driven by genuine intellectual curiosity. Exploring one’s own interests is a crucial step towards building a meaningful life and career. This pursuit of self-directed education is at the heart of the NCVPS Student Research Alliance, a new program that empowers students to delve deeply into subjects that captivate them and share their knowledge with peers across North Carolina.

Research internships are notoriously scarce for high school students, especially in non-scientific fields. The NCVPS Student Research Alliance increases the accessibility of academic research opportunities, allowing participants to propose unique inquiries and to direct their own investigations. Student research fellows benefit from collaboration with subject-specific advisors, who help them interpret their findings and refine their reflections. Months of dedicated study culminate in a detailed research paper and an NCVPS Café session, in which the student presents their research to peers and instructors. Specific NCVPS courses serve as springboards for research projects, and students are able to utilize Research Alliance papers and presentations to enrich the content they are learning in class. Research projects are as diverse as their creators. In the 2019 summer program, topics ranged from spacecraft design to abnormal psychology to Baltic history. There is no shortage of creativity and innovation among NCVPS students, and the Student Research Alliance provides a unique avenue to express the ingenuity of online learners.

To be eligible to participate in the Student Research Alliance, students must be in high school and are required to have completed at least one NCVPS course. Participants should also have regular internet access and several hours per week to devote to research. Selection is not based on GPA or academic standing, as the program aims to give all students an equal opportunity to acquire invaluable research and writing skills that will benefit them in college and beyond. Rather, students are chosen based on experience and interest within a particular subject area, which can be demonstrated through achievements inside or outside of the classroom. Students interested in participating in the program will be invited to attend a general information session later in the fall semester to learn more about the application and research processes. Stay tuned for updates on this exciting initiative, and let your NCVPS teacher know if you are interested in becoming involved in one of the many programs the Peer Tutoring Center has to offer.

Technology in Education

By: Austin S. 

Online Learning by LeanForward If 
on flickr.com under CC By-SA 2.0

Today, technology is changing the way we live. Rather than going to the library to read books for research, we need only to search the Internet for the information. Technology is changing every aspect of our daily lives, including education. NCVPS is a great example of the role of technology in today’s education. Technology is giving students the opportunity to learn beyond standard curriculums, practice and study in new ways, gain clarification on different topics, and even to accelerate their education through different courses. 

With technology, students can take courses they otherwise might not have had the opportunity to take. For example, if someone wants to learn Mandarin, he/she can take the NCVPS courses for Mandarin, while the language is not typically offered in public high schools. If a student wants to take an AP class that is unavailable at his/her face-to-face school, he/she can take the course through NCVPS. Online courses also allow students to accelerate their education. For example, an eighth grader can now take Math 1 and Math 2 in the same year through online courses, while most middle schools only have Math 1, and some don’t even have that option! 

In addition to providing the opportunity to accelerate education and providing new opportunities to take different courses you otherwise wouldn’t have the chance to take, technology is helping students find effective ways to practice their newly learned skills and to apply newly learned information. Some great tools include Khan Academy and Quizlet. These tools also help students study the material taught in their courses. Creative students can even use technology to develop their own study tools! For example, a student can create a quiz game through Scratch by MIT, an extremely straightforward programming language that consists of blocks with English phrases on them. Students can also utilize tools that have already been developed for such games, including Kahoot and Quizizz. In the past, students had to use worksheets, handwritten notes, and problems that were created by either them or their friends or family in order to study for their upcoming tests. Now, technology has made studying exciting for some by providing competitive games designed to practice their skills. 

Scratch 2.0 Screen Hello World.png by DevinCook on
Wikimedia Commons under CC BY-SA 2.0

Finally, technology allows for helpful programs such as the NCVPS Peer Tutoring Center to exist. The PTC gives both students and tutors new opportunities to learn and apply the material learned in their classes. It allows tutors to help students in their education, to learn more about technology through videos designed to give troubleshooting tips, and even to write articles such as the one you are currently reading through TutorTalk! The PTC also gives students the opportunity to ask their peers about topics in their courses and to gain clarification on confusing questions that they missed on an assignment. The PTC is an amazing program that should be utilized before it becomes unavailable for you to use. If you have any questions in your course, I would encourage you to go to https://ncvps.upswing.io, login, and find a tutor to help you understand the material you are learning. Technology provides incredible convenience for seeking clarification on topics addressed in your courses, both online and offline. 

Technology is shaping our lives, including in our education. Technology is providing opportunities at an unprecedented rate! Students can accelerate their educations through online courses, take classes that are not provided at their face-to-face schools, practice new skills and application of information through online tools, and ask peer tutors questions to gain understanding on specific topics through the NCVPS Peer Tutoring Center! Technology is powering our modern world in more ways than can be counted; it impacts every aspect of our lives! All of this starts with education.

Conquering AP Exams

By: Gracie B.

Jtk13 [CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)]

AP exam season can be a difficult time, especially for students taking their first exam or juggling multiple tests. However, like most standardized tests, AP exams are highly predictable in their structure and content. By preparing diligently and employing effective test-taking strategies, you can conquer your AP exams.

Before the Exams

It is crucial to ensure that you have completed all pre-registration materials. If you are taking an exam for a class that is not offered at your face-to-face school, touch base with your school’s testing coordinator to make sure your test has been ordered and is scheduled for administration. Keep track of which of your tests are morning sessions and which are afternoon sessions. Morning exams start at 8:00 a.m., while afternoon exams begin at 12:00 p.m. One notable exception to this schedule is the Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism exam, which begins at 2:00 p.m. Prepare to arrive at your testing center at least thirty minutes before your exams and make sure you have eaten and are well-rested before testing.

One of the most valuable resources to prepare for AP exams is College Board’s AP Central, which contains free response questions from previous years’ tests. It also provides scoring rubrics and sample student responses. You will find that the College Board tends to ask similar types of questions every year, so studying past tests is an invaluable use of your review time. The College Board publishes a limited number of multiple choice questions on their website, but you can find additional practice tests in targeted prep books such as those published by the Princeton Review. These books also review course content. Khan Academy is another useful resource that provides free videos, summaries, and practice questions for AP subjects such as Calculus and Art History.

Study Resources:
College Board’s AP Central: https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/courses
Khan Academy: https://www.khanacademy.org/

During the Exams

As you take your AP exams, keep in mind how the tests are scored. On some exams, students may be able to pass by answering only about 60% of the questions correctly. You can still earn a four or a five on an AP exam without being able to solve every problem. The key to mastering AP tests is to find a way to maximize your score by focusing on your strengths. A Calculus BC student struggling with Taylor Series might skip the last free response question and focus his or her energy on answering the other questions. When you are stuck on one specific question, it is often best to make an educated guess and move forward to ensure that you have enough time to complete the rest of the test.

Another key strategy is to look for patterns throughout AP tests. AP exams, especially those in history and social science, often reinforce a series of overarching themes. For instance, you are almost guaranteed to see questions about race relations, women’s rights, and the expansion of America’s role in international affairs on the AP United States History exam. If you understand these underlying concepts, you can often make deductions that will lead you to correct answers. For example, if you know that Native Americans were treated unfairly throughout U.S. history, you can infer that a specific conflict may have been caused by the displacement of natives from their homelands. While some students scramble to memorize every last piece of information pertaining to a subject, those with a deeper understanding of the material are often most successful on AP tests.

After the Exams

AP scores are released in July. The exact date you will receive your score depends on your state. Your school should have issued you an AP number card with instructions on how to log into College Board to view your scores. A score of three is considered passing, as the College Board recommends that a student who earns this score is qualified to receive college credit. A student who scores a four is well qualified, and a student who scores a five is extremely well qualified to receive credit. College Board offers no credit recommendation for test-takers who score a one but states that those who score a two may qualify for credit, depending on the university they attend. Any AP scholar awards you receive will be added to your account in the days following your initial score release. Remember, while a stellar AP score can allow you to place out of introductory college classes, failing an AP test is not uncommon and will not ruin your prospects for future academic success. Most colleges do not require the submission of AP scores as part of the application process, and students who scored poorly may actually benefit from retaking a course in a university setting.

By applying the strategies and information discussed in this article, you can work to ensure that your AP testing season is successful and stress-free.



Sources:
“About AP Scores.” College Board, apscore.collegeboard.org/scores/about-ap-scores/.
“AP Calendar.” College Board, apstudent.collegeboard.org/takingtheexam/ap-calendar.
Cracking the AP U.S. History Exam. Penguin Random House, 2018.

Creating Your Ultimate College List

By: Gracie B.

Although college application season is coming to an end, now is the perfect time for juniors, sophomores, and even freshmen to begin planning for college. In fact, you can take the first step in the application process today by creating a college list. There is no perfect formula for creating the ultimate college list, but there are several important factors you must consider to create a list best suited to your individual needs and goals. 

"Main Building, University of Notre Dame DDZ_0009" by NDomer73 is

licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.

 What Exactly is a College List? 

A college list is a plan of which universities you will apply to your senior year of high school. Most students interested in attending a four-year university should apply to at least three colleges. Your list of colleges should include safety, match, and reach schools. Safety schools are colleges that will most likely offer you acceptance. When choosing safety schools, look for colleges that have high acceptance rates (generally over 50%). Your test scores, GPA, and course rigor should significantly exceed those of the average students accepted into your safety schools. For instance, a school with a 70% acceptance rate, an average SAT score of 1200, and an average unweighted GPA of 3.4 would be a great safety for a student with an SAT score of 1450 and a 3.9 unweighted GPA. However, the same school might be a reach for a student with an SAT score of 950 and a 2.5 unweighted GPA. Your test scores, GPA, and course rigor may be below those of the average students accepted into your reach schools. Additionally, schools with acceptance rates under 15% tend to be classified as reach schools for all students because their applicant pools are filled with high-achieving students, making their admissions extremely competitive. Nevertheless, low acceptance rates should not discourage you from applying to reach schools. Keep in mind that colleges also consider your background, extracurricular achievements, and unique personal characteristics. Any one of these factors might impress admissions committees enough to earn you acceptance into one of your reach schools. Due to the unpredictability of admissions decisions at selective colleges, it is also important to apply to match schools. Your test scores, GPA, and course rigor should be roughly equivalent to those of the average students accepted into your match schools, and the schools’ acceptance rates should exceed 15%. Choose these schools carefully, as most students will end up attending one of their match schools.

How to Choose the Right Colleges

Once you understand the basic components of a college list, it is time to start creating your own application plan. A college bound student may have hundreds of potential safety, reach, and match schools. The difficult part is choosing which universities are are best suited to your own needs and interests. One important factor to consider is cost. How much can you afford to pay for college? Do not be deceived by the high sticker prices of some private colleges. For example, Ivy League universities are known for their high tuition and fees, which can be more than double the cost of public state universities. However, these private colleges are also known for their extremely generous financial aid packages, and some qualified low-income students can attend top schools for free. Most universities have official financial aid calculators. You can fill in your family’s financial information to estimate what it will cost you to attend a particular college. Another factor to consider is location. Do you want to attend a college close to home? Do you prefer an urban or a rural environment? Do you prefer cold or warm weather? If you’ve lived at the beach your entire life, you may regret attending a college in a town that receives more than sixty inches of snow per year. Also consider college size. Would you prefer to sit in a large lecture hall or a small classroom? It is important to ask yourself all of these questions when deciding which schools to add to your college list. The next factor is perhaps the most important: you must consider the individual programs each college offers for your intended major or field of study. While one school might have a very prestigious engineering program, it may be lacking in the performing arts department and would be a poor choice for a student interested in majoring in theatre. Some majors, such as financial engineering and actuarial science, are only available at select universities. If you are committed to a specific field of study, it is very important that you apply to colleges with strong programs in your intended major.

 To Apply Early or Not to Apply Early?

Once you have created the ultimate college list, you must decide when to apply to colleges. For four-year colleges in the U.S., there are three main application plans: early action, early decision, and regular decision. Applying to a college early (usually in the fall of your senior year) often increases your chance of admission. Be cautious when applying to a college on an early decision plan. Early decision applications are binding contracts. When you apply to a college under this plan, you make a commitment to attend that school if you are accepted. This means that you can only apply to one college on an early decision plan: you should be sure that this college is your top choice. Note that some early decision programs at selective schools will allow applicants to also apply to public colleges via the early action plan. Early action plans are non-binding. Some early action plans are restrictive and prohibit students from applying early to other schools. Regular decision admission plans are non-binding and are great backup plans for students who have already been released from early decision contracts at other schools via deferrals or rejections. Regular decision applicants apply in the winter of their senior year and receive their admissions decisions after early decisions are released. A general rule of thumb is that non-restrictive early action is usually superior to regular decision. It increases your chance of admission and thus gives you more options. Only apply to a college via early decision if you are sure that particular university is your top choice. Once released from any binding contracts, you may apply to other colleges on your list via regular decision.

As you can see, creating the ultimate college list requires a significant amount of research. However, if you have read this article, you have already taken the first step towards earning admission to your dream college!

Sources:
Pippen, Carolyn. “Early Action, Early Decision, and Regular Decision: What's the Difference?” Vanderbilt University Undergraduate Admissions, 13 Aug. 2013, admissions.vanderbilt.edu/vandybloggers/2013/08/early-action-early-decision-and-regular-decision-whats-the-difference/.

 

In Over Your Head

By: Isabella S. 

Did you know that the way a diver makes known that they need to ascend is a thumbs up? It may be used if something is wrong with breathing equipment or there is some other emergency. However, if you or I saw this gesture we would likely believe it to a be a positive symbol. Sometimes, one can appear to be doing just fine, when they are really signalling for help.

Picture by Isabella S.

You may be turning in all of your homework on time, only to go to class and struggle with the next test. You may have many friends, but replace your own needs with theirs. Maybe you are the star of a sports team, but you no longer find joy in playing. You may be the leader of a school club, but have trouble seeing progress. Maybe you are the paradigm of a good student, but don’t take time to build friendships. You may be involved in every community organization and every club that comes your way, but you can’t give your full effort to any cause.

In high school, there are many responsibilities one may assume and you are most likely surrounded by people giving you advice on how best to succeed (that is what this blog is for). As you swim through these various waters be careful of your own limits. It is okay to abandon surging tides, even if you have been swimming in them for a long time. It is okay to ask for help and it is okay to fail.

At the beginning of your high school career it is important to experiment with different dives. It is necessary for you to explore your interests or potential interests. You may jump in to various groups and realize that this pool is not for you. If you are no longer interested in playing basketball, or the debate club is no longer acting as a vehicle for your own personal progress, or maybe you are not sleeping for more than a couple hours each night, it may be time to ascend.

As you read through this blog and garner advice on how to be successful, remember that your definition of success is most important. Do not jeopardize your own mental and emotional health in order to fit society’s notion of success. You may be successful in becoming a positive role model for your younger siblings. Success may look like being the friend that everyone can lean on for support and good advice. Success may be exploring a nagging question through research and discussion. It may include becoming more independent or learning to depend on others. If you are looking back at 2018 and feel like you’re sinking, use the new year to make changes. Ask your friends and family to help you re-evaluate your life and see where you are in over your head. Reflect on your situation by making a list of what you are involved in and what you want to be involved in. Do not forget to give yourself credit for all of your success this past year.

An Important Note: Your struggle may be more serious than simply reducing your load or joining a new group. If you are sinking and cannot find a way up, it is important that you ask for help. No diver jumps in without someone on shore to help pull them out. Seek the help of your parents, a guidance counselor, a mentor, or another trusted adult. If you are experiencing more difficulty than you feel comfortable sharing or believe you need help from someone more qualified, there are resources available. You will find some of them at this link: https://giveusthefloor.org/resources/#hotlines. It is also important that you understand that you are not alone. Many students experience distress, but we misread their gesture as a thumbs up.  

Community Service: How and Why

By: Angelina N. 

Although it is important to study intensively, discover your interests, and pursue your aspirations in high school, it is also crucial to acknowledge the significance of giving back to the community. It is undeniable that the quality and welfare of the community depends on the individuals within it. If the members of a community readily contribute to it, then the community will have a thriving and healthy environment, but if the members of a community only focus on their own individual pursuits, then the community will have a much more distinguishable characteristic of inequality. To prevent this, you can begin at a local level by doing community service, which will not only benefit numerous members of your community but will also increase your appeal to college committees. 

So, what exactly is community service and how can you acquire volunteer hours? Community service encompasses all activities relating to benefiting the community. Due to the countless possibilities of community service, it is a great way to not only improve your local area but also a great way to exercise your strengths and spend time doing your hobbies. Below is a presentation providing a list of options for community service hours depending on your hobbies and strengths: 

The choices for benefitting your community are endless, and you can view it as a way to spend time doing your hobbies while spreading your passion to others. Community service hours make your college application stronger, serve as an exemplary opportunity to exhibit leadership skills, and have a direct positive impact on those around you. 

Stop Strangling the Mouse!

By Isabella S.

We get it. You’ve been staring at a screen for over an hour, and you’re slowly becoming a zombie.  Your eyes are beginning to glaze over, your mind slowly dozing into a hypnotic state, and your hand is cramping to the point of immobility.  You submit the assignment only to return to absolute confusion the following day.  We’ve been there. 

WAKE UP! Chances are that you are struggling to absorb the information because you are using subliminal thought rather than thinking. It’s as though the basketball players are dribbling and passing while the coach burns holes into the court with his eyes. You need to get your head in the game! Here’s how to fix it:

1.     Breathe.

Sit up straight and inhale deeply. With your hands in your lap, relax your shoulders and focus on the movement of your chest as you slow down and readjust. This will help you reset and come back to the material with a clear mind.

2.     Blink.

As you sense your mind drifting and you start to lose focus, blink three times. Look at the last sentence you read/wrote and see if it makes any sense. If you are reading, reread the paragraph. If you are writing, cut the last sentence out and paste it at the bottom of the page. Then, read the sentences before and continue writing as if the sentence that you pasted at the bottom of the page never existed. Don’t worry! You can always come back to the original later because you pasted it at the bottom of your page. If this step puts into a mad frenzy of writing but you get stopped at a roadblock due to confusion over the “right word,” leave it blank. Take advantage of positive energy and creative streaks, and then come back to edit with a clear mind.

3.     Break.

You may be clicking or scrolling without thinking. This problem occurs more often in virtual classrooms due to the lack of verbal communication between teachers and students. Without noise, your studies can become monotonous. Stand up, eat a snack, and play a short song (in earbuds if you're in a lab). If you are able to, try some physical activity during your break in order to increase your brain’s functioning. Map out what you can remember in a bubble map or brain dump. This will allow you to see exactly what your mind was absorbing while you worked.  After your break, reread or re-watch the last subject material you covered and continue on with a fresh start. You may discover through mapping out your knowledge that you need to completely start reading, writing, or watching over again.

Time your breaks appropriately. Finish the last math problem you were on or find a stopping point that will make sense when you restart. This can be tricky and comes with experience. If you are watching a video, it is helpful to at least pause approximately every four minutes. However, you may need to vary this timing if the four-minute time period ends in the middle of a category or speech. Each student is different, so you may need to take breaks more or less often than your classmates.

Note: All of these suggestions come from personal experience and conversations I have had with fellow students. Please remember that every student is different and results will vary.