How to Request Extended Time on the ACT
How to Request Extended Time on the ACT *Please note that this post applies to requesting extended time on the ACT only and not the SAT! STEP 1: Request extended time or special testing for the ACT online through their website when you register for the ACT test. The ACT is in the process of […]
SCHOOL HACK: Tricks for Writing Literary Analysis
SCHOOL HACK: Tricks for Writing Literary Analysis You’ve got your thesis down, and you’re on the road to greatness. You’ve written your topic sentences, and you’ve plopped a super awesome quote in your body paragraph. Great. [Long pause] Now what? Now you need to explain yourself. Tell the reader how your quote proves your […]
SCHOOL HACK: How to Effortlessly Write the Introduction of a Paper
SCHOOL HACK: How to Effortlessly Write the Introduction of a Paper Step 1: Don’t ever write the introduction first. Ever. An intro is a road map for the rest of your paper and tells the reader exactly where they’re headed. Can you give good directions to […]
PAPER HACK: Super Easy Formula for a Thesis Statement that Works (Almost) Every Time
PAPER HACK: Super Easy Formula for a Thesis Statement that Works (Almost) Every Time Get ready for your mind to be blown. Here’s the secret formula: The author uses ____(insert character/symbol)________ to show/symbolize/demonstrate ___(insert theme/argument)__________. Example: The author uses the carousel to symbolize the difficult transition from […]
3 Ways to Rock the Last 4 Weeks of School
3 Ways to Rock the Last 4 Weeks of School Know Where You Stand: Yes, it can be scary to look at your grades (especially if you have a feeling you’re not doing so hot). But it does you no good to avoid the truth. Find out where you stand, and see what kind […]
Why Women Must Learn to Stand Tall
Why Women Must Learn to Stand Tall If you haven’t seen Amy Cuddy’s TED Talk on Body Language, it is worth the watch. Cuddy posits that body language not only affects the way that others perceive you, but it also shapes the way you view yourself. She focuses her talk on the body language that […]
The Building Blocks of College Admissions Success
The Building Blocks of College Admissions Success WARNING: This blog post is FULL of information. Read carefully, and as always–feel free to email me or comment if you have questions. THE 4 BUILDING BLOCKS: GPA, SAT/ACT, RESUME, ESSAYS GPA Carefully choose your AP courses Remember: Quality over quantity! It is best to have an increase […]
Habit #1: Be Proactive (and Self-Advocate!)
Habit #1: Be Proactive (and Self-Advocate!) This is perhaps one of the most important suggestions in Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens. The author explains that we are all responsible for our own behavior. The way we react to something is a function of our decisions, not our conditions. […]
Habit #2: Begin with the End in Mind
Habit #2: Begin with the End in Mind Are you living the life of the person you want to be? Are you doing the things you’ve always dreamed of doing? This weekend, I had the unfortunate experience of going to a funeral for my grandmother-in-law. Nonna lived to be 100 years old. Her eulogy reflected […]
How I Help Teens with Time Management
Habit #3: Put First Things First All tasks on your to do list are not created equal(ly). That’s why it is essential for us to prioritize. Over the years, I have realized that this does not come naturally for most of my students. Most of us (myself included), like to complete the things we […]