Why Take a Gap Year?

By: Jasmin S. 

Although gap years between high school and college are not as common in the U.S., they are very popular among students in places like Europe. This may seem surprising to us, but it makes perfect sense why one would choose to take a year off between 12th grade and freshman year of college. After spending four years balancing various extracurriculars, classes, studying, family, part-time jobs, and more, you might feel like jumping right into college is a bit overwhelming. Maybe you need a break from the constant pressure of your classes and tests, or you’re still not sure which major to choose. If this is the case, a gap year might be the perfect solution for you! 

Better Performance in College 

"Gap Year: preparati a viviere l'anno piú bello
della tua vita!" by Viaggio Routard is licensed
under CC BY 2.0

Many parents fear that if their child stops taking classes and going to school, they will become lazy. This is not the case at all. In fact, students who take gap years tend to be more mature than their peers by the time they enter college. According to 2015 research conducted by Temple University in conjunction with Gap Year Association, the six top reported outcomes of a gap year were personal, rather than career or academic-oriented. Ninety-seven percent of alumni who responded indicated that their gap year experience increased their maturity, while 96 percent said it increased their self-confidence (Writers). 

First-year classes in college can actually be easier thanks to your gap year, especially if you take that time to personally acquaint yourself with the courses you plan on taking. You’ll be able to pick up new languages much quicker if you've already spoken with native speakers. Humanities and other courses can also be easier after all those museum and historical landmark visits! 

Living Independently 

Image by Steve Buissinne from Pixabay

Whether you choose to travel on your own or with a program, you will learn essential skills like grocery shopping for yourself, budgeting, healthy eating, navigating public transit, etc. All of these skills are crucial for college and adult life in general! If you choose not to work with a program, you can always do a work holiday option. Thereby having the opportunity to not only make money but immerse yourself deeply into another culture for a longer period of time than would be possible if you were merely backpacking. 

Establishing Worldwide Connections 

Image by Voy Zan from Pixabay

One of the best things about taking a gap year is the opportunity to meet new people. Building lifelong friendships with people from various countries can help you navigate unknown places and refine your language-speaking skills, and those friends will likely welcome you with open arms if you return! Learning how to make friends in an unfamiliar place with unfamiliar people is a skill that will come in handy in college as well. 

Endless Possibilities 

There are a plethora of activities to choose from when it comes to structuring your gap year. There are many ways to stay productive and busy, so there is no need to worry about doing nothing or playing video games in your mom’s basement all day. There is a wide range of possibilities (even on a budget) from backpacking in Asia to landing an internship in a different state. 

No Money, No Problem 

Image by Alex Strachan from Pixabay

A common myth surrounding gap years is that you have to have a lot of money to be able to take a whole year off from school. However, this is not necessarily the case. Some students use gap years as an opportunity to save up money for college and future living expenses. Others may choose to spend their time volunteering abroad with a program that helps cover living costs. That’s right, some programs pay you to take a gap year! Volunteering can help you gain a new perspective on the world. In fact, they can help students give back to their communities throughout their lives. Many gap year students become philanthropists when they are older due to their global perspective. 

Countless Traveling Options 

Image by skeeze from Pixabay

International travel might be your dream, but there are also many exciting places in the Americas you can visit! You could go to Canada and practice your French, an American national park to enjoy nature, Brazil to learn Portuguese, Mexico to eat delicious food, and so much more! Traveling to any new place is an enriching experience that will teach you new things. 

As long as you get out of your comfort zone, try new things, make new friends, and live independently for what’s likely the first time, a gap year will be well worth your time! According to GoOverseas.com, more than 90% of gap year alumni say that their gap year experiences helped them gain respect for other customs and cultures (Perez). 

Keeping It Local 

Image by Bella H. from Pixabay

If you choose to stay at home during your gap year, there are still plenty of options for you! After all, travel can be daunting and not everyone wants to do it. With more and more programs appearing online, you can do all types of jobs remotely! From teaching music to marketing on social media, you will likely be able to find a job that you enjoy, can do online, and can help you save money for college! You can also get involved in your community by volunteering for local organizations. Furthermore, you will have the opportunity to learn new skills. Have you been wanting to learn how to play an instrument? How to code? Now is your chance! 

Conclusion 

Overall, taking a gap year, though not common, has numerous benefits. It can help you grow a new set of skills you didn’t know you needed for college, help build a global network of new friends, assist you in choosing the right career, and provide you with experiences that will last a lifetime. If you would like to further research gap years, there are links and resources below to aid you in your search for ideas below. 

Resources for Gap Year Programs 

• The Best Gap Year Programs 
• Gap Year Scholarships and Grants
• How to Find Grants for Your Gap Year
• Ways to Make Money During Your Gap Year 
• What to Do on a Gap Year With No Money 

Works Cited 

“Does Taking a Gap Year Increase the Ceiling for Students?” NYU Steinhardt, 23 June 

2017, counseling.steinhardt.nyu.edu/blog/gap-year-after-high-school/.

Perez, Olivia Christine. “Why You Should Take a Gap Year After High School.” Go 

Overseas, 04 June 2020, 

www.gooverseas.com/blog/why-should-take-gap-year-after-high-school.

Writers, Staff. “Taking a Gap Year: Pros & Cons and How to Apply to College.” 

AccreditedSchoolsOnline.org, AccreditedSchoolsOnline.org, 17 July 2020, 

www.accreditedschoolsonline.org/resources/taking-a-gap-year-before-college/.

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

By: Gracie B.

Pixabay license
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/.

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/.

 

How Do YOU Learn? "A Learning Style for Everyone" Revisited

Original Piece By: Noah H.
Updated By: Isabella S.

Editor's Note: This "throwback" post from 2010 is worth the read, especially before starting a new semester. Take a few minutes to find out what your learning style is and make studying for all of your classes easier!

Learning styles are the fingerprints of the mind; they are as unique as the person using them and as varying as all the people in the world.

There are several generalized categories of learning styles and all influence how a student learns. Understanding them is the best way for a student to better their classroom experience and the effectiveness of their studying. 

A learning style is the way in which a person learns. There are several different theories as to how learning styles work, but the most common divides them into four categories: visual, auditory, reading/writing-preference, and kinesthetic/tactile learners.

The most common learning style is visual. This learning style focuses on pictures, diagrams, movies, and other forms of visual media, even visual demonstrations are helpful. The second most common learning style is auditory. These learners benefit from listening to someone talk to them and from lectures or video/audio setups. Reading/Writing-preference learners are most comfortable learning from books and texts. These students may retain more information from a textbook than a lecture and often benefit from taking written notes. Lastly, kinesthetic/tactile learners are people who learn through “hands-on” experience and interaction with classroom material. 

One element to consider when examining learning styles is their ability to coexist within a single individual. No student is wholly auditory, visual, tactile, nor reading-writing preference when it comes to learning. Someone may be a 10% reading, 30% visual, 50% auditory and 10% kinesthetic learner; however, you should try to study the best way for you. The person above would most likely want to watch a video in order to capitalize on their ability to retain information they have heard and seen (visual and auditory). Another meaningful feature of learning styles is their ability to change over time. Usually babies start out learning through touch (tactile), but as they grow they will learn to use visual and auditory learning more and more.

Knowing your learning style is important, because as soon as an individual discovers which type of learner they are they can begin to adjust their studying to utilize their strengths. For example, if a student knows they learn well from videos then they should look for tutorials on YouTube or some other video site rather than trying to decipher a Wiki. Another way a student can better their learning experience is in the way they ask for help. An auditory learner may want to call their teacher over the phone for assistance while a reading/writing-preference learner will want to send an e-mail. All these factors lead to an easier online class experience.

To find your learning style visit EducationPlanner.org. 

Reading/Writing-preference Learners: We hope you enjoyed this essay!

Visual Learners: Check out this graphic about learning styles!

Auditory Learners: Click here to install a free Google Chrome extension that reads-aloud any online text, including this article!

Tactile Learners: Check out this free online tool for creating three-dimensional models!

Have No Fear! Time Management is Here!

By Isabella S. 

Deadlines can be hard to keep, especially if you don’t have a teacher telling you to submit an assignment every day. This is where time management comes into play! If you can manage your time wisely, avoid procrastination, and keep a regular schedule, online classes will become abundantly easier! This may seem like a difficult task, but with three easy steps, you can take charge of your workload and submit assignments on time.

Step 1: Commit.

The first step of becoming a time-managing wizard is to commit to deadlines and WANT to do your best. You must have a desire to achieve. Ask yourself: Why should I commit now? Every student has a different reason that pushes him or her to stay on track. For some, it may be to allow more time to other activities, such as sports, academic teams, and clubs. For others, the idea of earning a higher education and knowing that every grade received in high school affects their chances of achieving in this area will push them to submit assignments on time. Lastly, some students simply want to free themselves from the stress and anxiety that can come from falling behind.

Whatever your reason, you must understand that online classes will take commitment in order to help you steer clear of procrastination. If you are not sure you are ready to commit to your class, talk to your teacher and ask them what is expected of you. Knowing what your teacher is asking of you is extremely crucial. Make a list of your goals for this semester and what you want to gain from the class; this may be a particular grade, knowledge in a certain area, or completion of all of your assignments. Whatever your reasons for commitment and goals are, time management can help you steer clear of procrastination.

Step 2: Plan.

The second step for taking control of your online classes, and probably the most important, is to plan. Developing a schedule is essential to turning in assignments before or on the due date. Try making a list of the assignments that you need to work on by breaking them down into simpler tasks. For example: If you have to write an essay on zombies for your biology class and the paper is due in two weeks, you can dissect (excuse the pun!) your project into multiple sections and give yourself shorter work periods so that the assignment becomes less mind-boggling. You can allow yourself only a week or less to complete research- that’s the beauty of time management! You can customize your deadlines, as long as you pledge to keep them. You can decide to give yourself five days to conduct your primary research. You can choose to finish your introduction and conclusion in three days, and your body paragraphs in four days. Suddenly, this monumental task has become three smaller projects that are easy to complete within the time period.

One important element that you must remember is to always finish your assignment at least a day in advance. This will give you flexibility and an opportunity to allow others to review your work. Another important part of planning is looking at assignments ahead of time. Open the Pacing Guide for your online class and look at the work that you think will take the most amount of time. Keep a planner that includes all of your assignments that are due and ask someone you can trust to remind you in case you forget. You could program your phone to send you an alert when it is time to start working on a project. Make a plan, and everything will be much easier!

Step 3: Do.

You must follow through on all of your plans or nothing will ever get done!  If you have decided to spend a certain amount of time on an assignment, you must act on this decision. Sometimes this involves rescheduling personal events and/or missing them. A great tactic to use is to look ahead at the time you have scheduled to work on your assignments and treat it as an appointment that you must keep. You must learn to say “no” to friends and interferences.

One easy way to avoid wasting time is to remove distractions. Turn off the television, cell phones, and social media. Find a quiet place with adequate lighting, minimal distractions, and seclusion. Go ahead and remove the issues that may call for a break. Eat a snack ahead of time, start with a sharpened pencil, and collect all of your materials. When you start with everything laid out and ready to work with, you avoid stopping in the middle of your studying.

Now it is time to get to work! Throw yourself at it and do not be afraid to ask questions. Find a nice stopping point by looking back at your plans and by seeing how much time you will have left to finish the assignment. Continue to keep your commitments and plans, and… Voila! You’re on track to an A+ performance!

Image: NasimAhmed96$ [CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], from Wikimedia Commons

The Logic Behind Math

By Charlotte P

Everyone must know how to compute with numbers (basic arithmetic), but once letters are introduced into math, many students start to zone out.

Why?

Because it seems to no longer apply to everyday life, and in a sense, it doesn’t. Few people other than mathematicians, financial analysts, or math teachers graph functions in their jobs. This also seems true for most mathematical skills learned above the level of basic algebra. So, why do people insist that math classes are important?

Math is used in successful occupations.

The 21st century marks the rise of STEM occupations, most of which require at least basic Calculus skills. Occupations in finance also require the knowledge of basic Calculus. Yet, this reason to study math is insufficient on its own because this only helps those who are actually skilled in mathematics. Such a skill can be derived from extensive study, but it is also related to a mere natural ability. Those without the predisposition to succeed in math might find this reason uninspiring.

Math deepens logic.

Remember those geometric proofs? That is only one example of how math relates to logic. In a geometric proof, you aim to prove a statement using given information and established rules. You must set out your logic in understandable steps in order to strengthen your argument. Such a skill is actually closely related to philosophy. In fact, it was developed by the philosopher René Descartes. If you remove the postulates and geometric data and substitute established axioms and given truths, you get a logical conclusion. Other examples involving logic are sequences, probability, and word problems. The logic skills learned in math class can be used to explain your arguments and persuade people in aspects of life outside of the math realm.

Math develops problem-solving abilities.

In math class, you learn that sometimes there is more than one way to solve a problem. Your job is to choose the easiest way. With every problem you practice, you are also practicing figuring out the most efficient method to solve a problem after mentally listing all the possible methods. This is how you solve problems in real life as well. Moreover, other courses do not provide as much problem-solving practice as the subject of mathematics.

Math provides a sense of accomplishment.

Students who eventually master a topic in math can feel pride because math can be difficult, and they were able to overcome the difficulties associated with it. Although not everyone is quick at math, a combination of teacher and student effort can guarantee success in a mathematics course. And because math can be a real challenge, there is a true sense accomplishment that comes with doing well in math.

So, in conclusion, math is not your enemy, but a friend and a trainer. And because doing well math is quite rewarding, don’t give up. Those who persevere can do well at mathematics and at life.

Communication Skills for the NCVPS Student

By Ramya Krishna M.

First off, I would like to congratulate all of you for making the decision to take an online course. I assume that most of you are independent, motivated students who are willing to work hard. You will have to be if you want to succeed without in-person tutelage. Almost all of you logged in yesterday for the beginning of your courses, and you might have some questions or confusion regarding communication with your online teacher and other students. This article will teach you effective communication skills based on my experience, and that of some of my friends, which will make your time here productive, hassle free and fun. So, let's begin!

You may have been asked to download an application called Blackboard IM. Just as it says in the name, this is a system you can use to chat real-time with your instructor and other students. You'll have to create an account and make sure you're linked to your class (ask your instructor or tech support if you have any difficulty). Even though you're chatting online, remember that this is an educational environment; definitely not the place for copious usage of texting lingo. You are expected to maintain yourself in a professional manner, which means thinking before you type.

You will also have to download Blackboard Collaborate, which will enable you to attend live sessions hosted by your teacher. You might be asked to dial into the session, and will be given instructions about how to ask questions, by turning mute on and off. Remember to mute your phone after you ask a question, and turn it off when you are done doing so. This prevents background noise from impeding the audio.

Your online teachers may have asked you to make an introduction in the forum. If you have not done so already, here are some things to remember. This will be the first impression your teachers and other students get of you, so keep your writing professional and do as much proofreading as you can. Also make sure to read about other students and comment on their posts too.

If you have questions about your assignment, your first point of reference should be your teacher. Make your questions direct and don't just say, "I don't get it." Whenever anyone is helping you, it's helpful to understand what exactly you don't get. Try to demonstrate your thought process as you arrive at your answer, and ask the teacher where you went wrong. This is a good way to solidify problem solving techniques for all questions, not just one. After your teacher helps you, thank them for their time (many of them also teach live classes). Some teachers may give you their phone number and most will provide office hours. Call only during these times, and make sure to utilize Blackboard IM first. If you want to ask a fellow student something, always make sure that you are not simply asking for the answer. Similarly, if someone asks you to tell them the answer to a question, politely refuse and let your teacher know. Cheating hurts all students, including the one doing it, so do your own work. Procrastination is also ill advised and a student who is asking questions at the last minute before grading won't get very far. It shouldn't have to be said that bullying will not be tolerated among students and will merit consequences to those who try.

What if you're struggling with the subject matter? The number one piece of advice I would give is to get help early. You have many resources available for you to use: your teacher and other students who are peer tutors. This service is available and free for you to access anytime you need help, and the tutor may have even taken your course. However, if you are need of greater help, it can be beneficial to seek out someone who can tutor you face to face, such as a teacher at your school or other experienced individual. NCVPS does not suggest or endorse any live tutors. Whatever method you decide, it is essential in order to save your grade and your sanity that you get help earlier, rather than near the end of the year, when your grade is basically set.

Effective communication is not only necessary for face to face interaction, it is especially crucial for online interaction. Remember that NCVPS is an educational environment and you should make the most out of this opportunity given to you by fostering a productive relationship with your instructor and your class.

Studying for Tests

By Charlotte P

1. Take Notes and Review Them

More than half of your studying work is done in the classroom. Whether your teacher provides notes or not, take organized notes so you can review them later. These notes can be an outline, bubble map, t-chart, or any other organization structure, but keep them organized so you can review them later. Keep each subject’s notes separate, and make sure they are easy to read and review.

When you take notes, write down facts that your teacher emphasizes or writes on the board. Moreover, write in comprehensible short hand, and do not try to write every word of your teacher’s lecture or presentation. Practicing writing notes from your teachers’ lectures will prepare you for college lectures; learn to decide which facts are important and which aren’t.

At home, review your notes and perfect them. Add helpful diagrams and highlight important vocabulary words or key dates.

2. Plan Your Study Time

If you have several tests coming up on the same day, this is extremely important. Think about how much content will be covered on these tests and estimate how much time you need to devote to each test. A vocab test may need less studying time than a biology unit test or a U.S history test on the Civil War.

Consider “chunking” — breaking down large topics into smaller chunks — your test topics. Study each chunk each day before the test. Remember to review all that you have studied after each study session, however. If you have more than one test to study for, study for all of them a little each day.

Keep in mind that your mind will need a break when you study. Since most people can concentrate well for about 45 minutes, so give yourself some rest every 45 minutes.

3. Know the Type of Test You Will Take

Will your test contain multiple-choice? Math grid-ins? Free response? Essays? If you are not sure, ask your teacher for a breakdown of the test. For multiple-choice questions, focus on facts, such as dates or vocabulary words, as well as the basic applications of the facts. Find practice questions online and keep drilling. Math grid-ins are usually harder math problems; review the harder math problems from the content, and do some practice questions.

Free response and essay questions require a more thorough knowledge of important topics. Look at the sections of the notes that your teacher emphasized the most and has the most details. Your teacher probably gave clues as to what the free response or essay questions would be for the test. Also search for essay and free response questions and at least contemplate how you would answer those questions if they appeared on a test.

4. Do Not Procrastinate

This is easier said than done. It is tempting to put off studying till the last minute. The best way to battle procrastination is to stay organized. Write down the due dates of assignments and the dates of tests and quizzes. Plan out study sessions and homework sessions beforehand in order to not procrastinate and follow a schedule.

Also give yourself incentives for doing your work early or following your schedule, such as leaving time to hang out with friends, party, or watch a movie.

5. Start a Study Group

The positive aspect of a study group is that members can hold each other accountable for fulfilling their roles in the group and studying adequately for a test. The negative aspect is that friends can provide distraction instead of support. However, if you need others to push you to study, consider forming a study group.

Carefully choose the members of the study group as well as the location to meet. The members of your group should be familiar friends, but also known to be responsible and mindful of their academic performance. The location should be a place that encourages quiet study and not playful conversation, such as a library or a café.

Rewards of Studying

Despite feeling deprived of energy and social time, studying will raise your confidence for the test. Moreover, taking the full effort to study will have you perform your best on test day.

More Than Just Reading the Textbook

By Nicole R.

Have you ever found yourself reading a textbook for homework, and it just goes in one ear and out the other? If you answered yes to this question, then you should stick around. When I first started my AP Environmental Science class I had to read about 25 textbook pages a night and it felt pointless because by the time I got to class the next morning, I had forgotten everything I read. On the first test I scored poorly because of this. Then a solution came! I will do an outline of every chapter. This really helped and brought my grade up 10 points on the next test.

There are many different ways to do an outline. I do mine the way my history teacher taught me, but you should find the way that works best for you.

Mine goes like this:

Chapter # and title

Section #-# and title

Header Title

a. List a point you think is important to remember
b. List a point you think is important to remember
c. List a point you think is important to remember
d. List a point you think is important to remember ( I would try not to list more than four points.)

Header Title

a.

b.

c.

d.

You should keep going until you finish the chapter

Here is an example of one I did in my AP Environmental Science class. This is just one section.

4-6 What roles do species play in an ecosystem?

Each species plays a role in its ecosystem

A. Ecological niche- the role a species plays in an ecosystem. It is a species way of life in a community.
B. Generalist species have broad niches. They can live in many different places, eat many different foods, and live in many different environmental conditions. ex. humans, deer, mice, and rats. Cockroaches are very general.
C. Specialist species occupy narrow niches. They can only eat certain types of food and live in one of two places. They are more prone to extinction.
D. When environmental conditions are the constant is better to be a specialist with few competition, but when conditions change it is better to be a generalist.

Species can play five major roles within ecosystems

A. Native species- normally live and thrive in a particular ecosystem.
B. Non-native species- migrate into an ecosystem. They are also called alien, invasive, and exotic species. They can compete with native species and reduce the amount of them. This is not good.

Indicator species serve as Biological Smoke Alarms

A. Indicator species provide early warnings of damage to a community or an ecosystem. Birds and butterflies are these.

Case Study: Why are amphibians vanishing?

A. They are indicator species. They are the first vertebrates. They are better at adapting to environmental changes through evolution than many other species.
B. The eggs of frogs can not protect themselves from pollution.
C. The population is declining because of human population impacts.

Keystone species play a critical role in their ecosystems

A. Keystone species are species whose roles have a large effect on the types and abundance of other species in an ecosystem. They exist in limited numbers
B. They pollinate plants and regulate the population of other species.
C. The loss of keystone species can lead to population crashes and extinctions of other species in a community that depend on them for certain ecological services.

Foundation species help to form the bases of ecosystems

A. Foundation species play a major role in shaping their communities by creating and enhancing their habitats in ways that benefit other species. For example; beavers
B. The difference between keystone and foundation species is that foundation species help to create habitats and ecosystems. Keystone species do this and more,; they play a role in foundation and an active role in maintaining the ecosystem and keeping it functioning.

This is most commonly beneficial in AP classes where the teachers are not so demanding in how you learn the material as long as you learn it. They give you more flexibility. The key is to not write down everything. You can write too much and it will not be beneficial at all. If you are unsure what to write it is good to start with bold words and italic words. Another suggestion is that I always make my chapter # and title, my section #-# and title and my header # and title different colors. Then before you take the test refer back to these notes to study. GOOD LUCK!