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

What to Do During Social Distancing

By: Angelina N.

What is social distancing, and why is it important right now? 

Social distancing refers to going out minimally, avoiding physical contact with others, and refraining from large gatherings of people. It is used to prevent the spread of infectious diseases, such as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The contagiousness of a disease is measured based on the R0

"R Naught Ebola and Flu Diagram" by Kiera Campbell is licensed
under CC BY-SA 4.0

(pronounced “R naught”) value, or the average number of individuals that an infected person transmits the disease to. For diseases exceeding an R0 value of 1, such as COVID-19 (which has an R0 value of about 2.2), the number of infections can multiply rapidly because each infected person will infect more than one other person. In addition, COVID-19 has an incubation period of between two and 14 days, with the average being five days. This means that after contracting the disease, an individual will not exhibit symptoms for an average of five days but will still be contagious during this time frame. Since many infected people do not realize they are infected, they can unintentionally transmit the disease to people that they come into contact with. Actively social distancing is therefore necessary to prevent people from unknowingly infecting those with compromised immune systems or older individuals, who are much more likely to experience severe and possibly fatal symptoms. By taking precautionary measures, the number of infections can be reduced significantly. This also alleviates the burden on hospitals, which may experience a shortage of supplies, equipment, or staff otherwise. 

Although practicing social distancing is beneficial to the community at large, spending most of your time at home may seem like an incredibly difficult and dull adjustment. However, instead of viewing it as a major impediment to social contact and various forms of entertainment, you should view it as an opportunity to accomplish tasks you normally wouldn’t have the time for. Below is a list of ideas of how to spend your period of social distancing in both fun and/or productive ways. 

Find a fun mental stimulus 

Doing a mentally stimulating activity is a great way to combat boredom. 

• Play a board game: Options include Monopoly, chess, Scrabble, etc. — the choices are endless! 
• Go old-fashioned: Try your hand at Sudoku, crossword puzzles, jigsaw puzzles, brainteasers, or crafts (online DIY videos are a great source of inspiration). 
• Write a short story or poem: Brainstorm ideas that you could turn into a piece of writing. 
  

Take time for self-care 

Since most events have been cancelled, your schedule is most likely cleared right now. Instead of sinking into boredom, you should see it as a calm refuge from the chaos and incessant hassle of normal life. Now is a great time for you to reflect on your mental and physical health. 

• Practice meditation: Meditation is focusing on being more present and aware in all aspects of daily life through techniques such as mindfulness. It has been scientifically proven to be conducive to both mental and physical health, with some of its benefits being lower blood pressure and stress levels, improved sleep and memory, and a stronger immune system. There are numerous meditation apps that can be downloaded with the press of a button (Waking Up, Headspace, Calm, and many more), so meditation is a practice that can be conveniently incorporated into your daily routine. 
• Self-reflect: Oftentimes, we get so caught up in seemingly endless tasks, whether that be

  

  Pixabay license- no attribution required

  schoolwork deadlines or upcoming exams, that life seems like a ceaseless “this, that, this, that” and so on so forth. During social distancing, it may seem like everything has suddenly come to a standstill, which is a chance for you to look back on the past few months and plan for the future. Take some time to reflect on your personal growth and accomplishments, as well as what you are still working towards. Set goals for yourself and determine how you will reach them. Jot these ideas down in a notebook, or type them on your computer for future reference. 
• Do what you enjoy: This last one is simple — spend time doing activities that you love! This may be different for every person; it could be spending more time with family, having a movie night with popcorn, or reading a book that’s been on your to-read list for some time. 
  

Start good habits 

It can be hard to incorporate new habits during most of the year because we are often too occupied to feel motivated to do so. Now is the time to pick up good habits that can have a positive impact throughout the rest of your life. 

• Stay active: Staying at home all day makes it easy to fall into a sedentary routine. However,

  

  Pixabay license- no attribution required

  social distancing does not necessarily mean refraining from leaving the house entirely; in fact, it’s a great idea to go outside for a walk or a run in a park or other uncrowded areas during the day. There are also many great at-home workout videos online that provide fun and engaging ways to be active. Learning creative ways to exercise and experiencing the rewards of being physically active may motivate you to include it as a regular part of your routine in the future. 
  
• Eat healthy: A great way to use your spare time is to learn about nutrition and creative healthy recipes. Experiment with various dishes, and determine what works best for you. This may help elevate your consciousness about healthy eating habits in the long-term, which will beneficially impact your life in countless ways. 
  

Do some extra studying 

Since after-school events, most extracurriculars, and transportation time have probably been taken out of your schedule, there is now plenty of extra time to study, even if your face-to-face school is requiring you to attend virtual sessions. 

• Study for AP classes: AP exam season is coming up, which means that it’s a good time to start

  

  Pixabay license- no attribution required

  reviewing information from last semester. It is also a good idea to keep up with College Board’s updates on modifications to the AP exams this year. College Board has already posted the changes to every AP course curriculum, along with the general structure of the altered exams. Make sure to check their website to avoid studying material you are no longer responsible for and to be prepared for this year’s test format. 
• Do some SAT and/or ACT practice: Use this time to read some SAT/ACT prep books, as they contain helpful techniques for succeeding on these standardized tests. Once you’ve reviewed these techniques, take a few practice exams; these are lengthy and typically difficult to fit in with other obligations, so now is the perfect time to try them. 

Learn something new 

If you’re still having a hard time deciding what to do, it may be a good idea to try something completely new and possibly discover new interests in the process. Ideas include learning some magic tricks, trying out calligraphy, or learning a new language through Duolingo. If you’re still having a hard time choosing, there are great sources of inspiration all over the Internet. 

Donate for a good cause 

Taking social distancing seriously is already a great way to protect the well-being of those around you, but you can take it a step further by donating during this time of need. 

Pixabay license- no
attribution required

• Donate blood: Due to the ongoing pandemic, blood drives have been cancelled, meaning that there is currently a severe blood shortage. If you are interested in donating blood, check out the requirements for a student blood donor using this link: https://www.redcrossblood.org/donate-blood/how-to-donate/info-for-student-donors.html 
• Donate to a food bank: Families who face food insecurity are especially vulnerable during this time, with grocery store supplies being depleted rapidly. If possible, consider donating even small instant food packages, candy bars, or personal hygiene products; although it may be difficult to donate in bulk quantity right now, even the smallest contributions can make a difference. 

Social distancing may seem extremely monotonous, but it is actually a great chance to try fun at-home activities, take time for self-reflection, and get ahead in schoolwork and studying. So take advantage of this time to plan out a list of to-dos and start checking it off! 

Works Cited 

Caddy, Becca. “Best Meditation Apps: Practice Mindfulness with Headspace, Calm and More.” 

TechRadar, TechRadar, 21 Mar. 2020, www.techradar.com/news/best-meditation-apps.

Cascella M, Rajnik M, Cuomo A, et al. Features, Evaluation and Treatment Coronavirus 

(COVID-19) [Updated 2020 Mar 8]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): 

StatPearls Publishing; 2020 Jan-. Available from: 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK554776/ 

Hersh, Erica. “Coronavirus Incubation Period: How Long Before Symptoms Appear?” Healthline, 

Healthline Media, 19 Mar. 2020, 

www.healthline.com/health/coronavirus-incubation-period. 

“185_factsheet_social_distancing.Pdf.” Santa Clara County Public Health Department. 

“What Is R0?: Gauging Contagious Infections.” Healthline, 

www.healthline.com/health/r-nought-reproduction-number.

Vongkiatkajorn, Kanyakrit, and Laura Daily. “How You Can Help during the Coronavirus 

Outbreak.” The Washington Post, WP Company, 21 Mar. 2020, www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2020/03/21/how-you-can-help-during-coronavirus/?arc404=true.  

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. 

How to Make Summer Productive

By Marco A.

Summer is often regarded as a time to relax, sleep in, and be with friends and family. Recently, however, summer has become a time for many high schoolers to learn new things, improve college applications, and prepare for the future.

In reality, summer should be a combination of both relaxation and productivity. Summer is a time to relax and unwind after the stresses of the recent school year, and it is also a time in which students should seek ways to improve themselves. It is important to find the right combination of both, while not spending too much time on either.

Effective use of time, especially in the summer, has become increasingly important in college admissions. Many colleges seek to understand if their applicants make good use of their time. With that being said, here are five ways to make your summer more productive and beneficial:

1. Study for the SAT/ACT

Although this may not be the most popular option, it may be the most beneficial one. Either way you go, it's a good idea to study for these tests at some point. Many studies have shown that a significant amount of studying for the SAT or ACT correlates to significant score increases. I can personally attest to this, as my SAT score increased 200 points after studying during the summer. These score gains will be well worth your time when it comes to applying to college.

Furthermore, Many colleges report that besides GPA, standardized testing is the most important factor when considering admissions. This means that you should be putting significant time into these tests!  Additionally, there are many low cost options for study materials, including websites, books, and videos. A simple search for “how to self study for the SAT/ACT” results in millions of resources.

So not that you know you should study, why study in the summer? Well, summer is the time of year when most students do not have to worry about other classes, extracurriculars, or  homework. As a result, students can spend much of their free time on the SAT/ACT without detracting time from other important events.  

2. Volunteer or Get a Job

One of the things colleges love is volunteer work. However, this should be something more than just another thing you can list on your resume. Volunteering should involve something you are passionate about and want to help others with. Find this activity for you, and pursue it over the summer while you have time. If you are truly passionate about it, it guarantees to be a rewarding experience (so rewarding that it may even make a great college essay!). It is also important to make sure that while you do this, you keep track of how many hours you volunteer as it may be asked later on.

Getting a job can have both personal benefits as well as monetary ones. Work can help you gain experience in the professional world, a skill that colleges will appreciate. Also, working in a professional setting will teach you the value of hard work. This will give you much more respect for those who work everyday of the year. Finally, the money that comes from the job may come in handy later down the road.

3. Learn Something New

School may be out, but that does not mean the learning should end! With all the free time you now have on your hands, use it to learn something you have always wanted to know. Many websites such as Coursera and edX offer free classes on interesting topics from top universities. If you have ever wondered how to code a website, write great poetry, take breathtaking photos, or how chemistry affects cooking, the summer is the time to learn it do it. Not only will this be enjoyable, but it could also help you discover what you are passionate about. If you think you may be interested in being a journalist, taking a journalism class on edX could let you know if it’s the right fit for you. Furthermore, this will keep your brain active so you’re ready to learn when school starts up again in fall.

4. Take Some Time to Read

Reading can be extremely enjoyable and relaxing if you find a book you are passionate about. Time spent reading has also been shown as the best way to increase standardized test scores in reading. In order to do this, try to pick out books that you enjoy, but are also well written and respected.

Reading can also expose you to new ideas and can subsequently cause you to change your world outlook. As an added benefit, reading will keep you thinking throughout the summer months.

5. Discover What You Want to Do in Life

Although this may sound cliche, summer is the opportune time to find out what job you want to pursue, or what college you want to attend. Research the possible career fields you are thinking about, and the colleges you are interested in. Don’t hesitate to contact someone in these positions to ask them about their personal experience. More often than not, people are willing to help you learn more about their career field. If you are really interested in one, see if it's possible to spend a day on the job or if there are any related internships available. As far as college goes, try to figure out what each university wants to see in an applicant. Additionally, consider visiting a campus if you are interested.

Keep these 5 things in mind during the summer! They will be very helpful and beneficial in making it more productive. But remember that it is also important to relax over the summer, as we all need some down time. Don’t let any of these activities consume your whole summer! Be sure to enjoy it while you can.

The Stairway to Success

By Danielle, Corine, Charlotte, and Curie

            For most students, the school year starts out in a good fashion. However, some students unfortunately fall into the same patterns of procrastination or indignation as the previous year. Before you find yourself slipping into last year’s problems, here are 8 steps to follow to become a successful student!

           

#1: Prioritize your activities with a planner.

            No matter what extracurricular activities you participate in, it is important to recognize that your education comes first. It is suggested to keep a planner to find a balance between your extracurricular activities and academics. You may want to try to avoid using a digital planner, especially one on your iPhone, because this can lead to playing apps or visiting social networks that eat up your study time. There’s also a feeling of accomplishment when you physically cross something off of your to-do-list! Using a paper planner will help you to keep track of the many things you need to do.

#2: Find your study “habitat.”

            Another important thing to remember is that everyone needs to study in his own “habitat.”  That means that each of us has that perfect location to study: whether it is one’s bedroom or the school library.  To choose the best place for you, decide how prone you are to distractions. There are some people who can filter out noise and actually feel more relaxed hearing others’ voices.  However, a lot of people will try to study then find themselves watching television for an hour.  If that sounds like you, then it might be important to “hibernate” and escape into the silence. Remember that your habitat is individualized. What might be a good place for you to study might be an awful place for someone else.  If you find yourself wandering upon someone else’s habitat, then make sure that you are respectful of their study needs.  After all, they are trying to succeed just as much as you are.

#3: Metacognition: evaluate your study habits.

            Let’s face it: some studying habits are better than others, and some studying habits work better for different people. So, we need to experiment. The previous two sections discussed the time and place for studying, and this section advises the reader to evaluate his or her study habits after every test.

In my AP Biology course the students are instructed to create their own study guides and follow their own pace to complete classwork until the day of the test. Test day is also the due date for all class work and study guides, and the test scores give a numerical reflection of the effectiveness of the students’ study habits. After every test, students ask themselves: which study habits worked? Which ones did not? Reflecting on successful and unsuccessful techniques and fixing bad habits will help you grow and succeed in any class.

#4: Be proactive in school.

Now you are prepared for school; you have your planner, study techniques, and “habitat.” But school comes with many other challenges: larger schools can be harder to navigate, rules may be unclear and confusing, online class environments may be unfamiliar … you name it. How do you overcome these non-academic obstacles to a successful start in school? Well, get familiar with the school, the classes, and online classes before it matters. Attend your school’s ‘Open House’, explore your online class during Meet the Teacher, and notify your online teachers with any of your questions and concerns. At the first day of school, pay attention to your teachers’ explanations of their rules and expectations and make sure you keep any handouts regarding that information.

#5 Be responsible in the classroom.

            The classroom is the place that you will do much of your learning. You should keep track of your behavior in the classroom in order to succeed. Always pay attention in class because you never know what you might be tested on, and paying attention in class can also help decrease the length your studying time later on. Taking notes in class also helps you get ahead, better preparing you for any future assignments. It will help you remember the information more easily and you will be able to get a deeper understanding of the material. Another thing to keep in mind in the classroom is that you shouldn’t sit with friends who distract you. Feel free to sit with friends that will be able to help you learn, but don’t sit with the friends that you feel will distract you during class.

#6 Interact with your teachers.

            Teachers are essential for your success, so strive to develop a strong relationship with your teachers. Teachers not only teach the course curriculum, but they also help you earn the grade that you want, and eventually, they can write recommendation letters for college applications. Several ways to develop strong relationships with your teachers are by asking questions, showing your concern about your grades, and talking with them often.

#7 Keep up with your coursework and homework.

            Many teachers give nightly homework, and some even give loads of classwork. In and out of class the key is to focus. Don’t let your friends, social networking, or technology distract you, and make small goals for yourself. If you tell yourself that you will finish the assignment in 15, 20, 30, or 45 minutes, you will complete it with purpose.

#8 Look to the future.

            School years in North Carolina are 180 days long, so students are prone to get tired. Keep up the good work and maintain your grades. Remember, the rewards for working hard in school include good grades, high GPA, promotion to the next grade, and college admission. Your future holds great things! 

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