| |
| |
|
College & University Information |
|
|
|
Parents: Take the SAT Challenge!
I keep a box of tissues on the table where I tutor because, as an SAT tutor and college application consultant, I listen to high school juniors and seniors who are so overwhelmed by college pressure that they begin to cry. Not just girls. Not just Ivy League aspirants. High school students are always convinced their parents don't understand them. This time the students are right. Parents don't understand because the college admission process is so much more competitive than it was when most parents applied to college. These are the ten things I wish I could tell parents: 1. I am convinced that parents have to walk a mile in the student's moccasins to gain some appreciation for the stress the students are under and to reverse the tension at home. If parents will take an SAT practice test they will feel some of the same anxiety, cringe at their results, and discover that the test is hard. Instead of piling 25 pounds of SAT study books on the desk, parents can commiserate with students over missed problems. Parents and students can become allies rather than adversaries as they face the college admission process. 2. Hire SAT prep tutors who focus on the applicable academic material rather than just the tricks. Increasing a student's academic preparation for the test in addition to teaching the tricks increases their confidence on the test and in the classroom; teaching only the tricks makes students more insecure because they are relying on tricks rather than on actual knowledge. 3. Have the tutors keep the parents informed about each session so that the parent tracks progress with the tutor rather than pestering the student for information. 4. Have the student try the ACT. All colleges accept it and some students do better on it than on the SAT. 5. Make learning fun. For example, have the students memorize vocabulary using the book Vocabulary Cartoons by Sam Burchers, et al. Also, have the student do the crossword and other word puzzles in SAT Vocabulary Express, the fun book of word puzzles that will increase SAT scores. I wrote it with Michael Ashley, a nationally known puzzler, so that our students would learn to play with words, an important skill for the new SAT. 6. Emphasize getting good grades rather than good SAT scores. Bs in honors classes are better than As in regular classes. 7. Hire an independent college counselor who will work with the family to create a realistic college list, brainstorm for essay topics, establish deadlines for the student, and check all college applications. High school college counselors are overworked and do not have the time to walk families through the process. 8. Realize that the schools parents attended may not be within reach for their child. The number of high school students planning to attend college has increased dramatically; the student may be well qualified for a particular college and may still not get in. 9. Look for colleges where the student will thrive academically and socially. Choosing colleges based on their name recognition and prestige value is a formula that will increase stress, not decrease it. Everyone else wants to go to those schools, too, making them even harder to get into; they are not necessarily the best place for the student. Loren Pope's book, Colleges That Change Lives, is a good place to start. 10. Support your child through a difficult process. Leave the prodding, nagging, and yelling to the tutors and college counselor. The independent college counselor will tell the student to work harder so the parent doesn't have to. Why ruin the student's last year at home? Parents can make decisions so that senior year is not be so fraught with anxiety that family members begin to avoid each other. And, I hate it when my students cry. Jacqueline Byrne
MORE RESOURCES:
College-University - Google News |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Need Money for College? Finding money for college can be a challenge for many students and their families. While saving in advance is the best choice, many times saving money for college is not easy for families. College Freshman: How to Get Over Homesickness Whether you're a freshman or a senior, studying abroad or going to college in your hometown - it's natural to have a period of adjustment when you leave home. Experiencing new things and meeting different people can be exciting and stressful at the same time. How Parents Can Help Allieviate The Stress of Getting Into College Getting into college is a stressful experience for most high school students. However, there are steps that parents can take to help alleviate the stress and make the experience more positive. An Education in Saving on Textbooks Every year students flock to the college bookstore to purchase the various textbooks that they require for their classes. Little do these students realize that, in doing so, they are throwing good money away. Getting Into College No Longer A Numbers Game! Sending your kids to college has never been more difficult or more expensive, and outstanding grades no longer guarantee admission! Student competition is at an all-time high and families now face the toughest admissions committees in history, soaring tuition costs, and a financial aid system designed to eliminate all but the most knowledgeable and persistent applicants.America is knee deep in an unsung higher education crisis that is affecting families from all walks of life. Student Financial Guide is Your Guide to College Success The Student Financial Guide website is divided into categories pertaining to pre college resources, during college experiences, post college challenges, investing, news, and even a forum where you can chat with other members looking for advice or just wanting to chat.Preparing for college is very important and that's why the Student Financial Guide covers topics on budgeting and planning for your college years. SAT Test Preperation; Prep Options It's time to take the SAT's. How should you prepare? The only sure thing is that you need to prep. Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine There are over 50 Acupuncture Schools in the United States. Acupuncture laws differ from state to state, therefore, each acupuncture school entails its own philosophy and instruction outline. Choose the Delivery Mode for your e-Learning Course There are so many ways to deliver instruction online that the topic warrants its own lesson. In fact, deciding how you are going to deliver a course is critical to the way that you design and develop the course! Your first decision is whether or not you will deliver the course "live" or in a synchronous mode. Thinking of Dropping Out of College? If rising tuition costs or personal concerns have made you consider dropping out of college or "taking a break" I'd like to encourage you to reconsider.Don't Let Cost Stand in Your WayIf cost is your primary reason for reducing your college hours or dropping out completely first pay a visit to your school's financial aid office. Online Degree Education - Advantages Distance education has been getting a lot of attention lately, but it isn't new. Correspondence courses have been around for over a century, allowing students to complete assignments and mail them to an instructor for feedback. Caribbean Single Market and Economy - Who Says UWI isn't Doing Enough? The University of the West Indies (UWI) has often been viewed as a long-standing partner to Caribbean Governments in fostering integration and development of our people, and forming strategic alliances.CARICOM member states are now considering the establishment of a single market economy. Hidden College Costs: Roommate Conflict Parents, if you're already reeling from the costs of today's college education, take a deep breath. According to one expert, if your kids lack conflict resolution skills, it could end up costing you even more. Surviving School Well, I finally finished my 1st semester of college and I think I did really well. I am pursuing a degree in Criminal Justice, possibly with a minor in psychology. The Oxford Student - Official Student Newspaper Academics from Oxford University have mathematically proven long held suspicions that the Eurovision Song contest is a fix. The team, led by Professor Neil Johnson of Lincoln College, compared statistical models of a contest where votes were fairly cast purely on musical merit with actual results over twelve years of the competition's history to expose the complex political allegiances and cliques at the heart of Eurovision. Acing the SAT Exam Don't cheat. This goes without saying for 999 out of 1000 students (hopefully even more!) but cheating is not the way to score high on the SAT exam. Revolt of the Scholars http://www.realsci. How to Find Money for College Education Many current and future college students need help to pay for college. Especially with tuition rates going up every year, students are looking for ways to pay for their college eduction. Most Colleges Require Letters Of Recommendation I cannot overemphasize the importance of developing strong relationships with high school teachers and counselors as early as possible. An extremely well written, all-telling letter can absolutely make the difference of being accepted or rejected to any college. How to Survive with As Attend ClassGo to class, every class, every time. It is very common and very easy not to attend class.
|
| home | site map |
| © 2006 |
