As you prepare to start the new term, you will need new college semester success tips whether you are coming back or are new to college. Getting ready to start the semester, you are filled with optimism and you are maybe a bit nervous. If you are starting out you feel that you were well prepared and made the right choice and are ready.
You want to start with a clean slate. New notebooks for each class or new folders in your computer—ideally both. You will need to save the syllabus for each course. Review the syllabus carefully and use it to do the following things:
Fill your calendar or planner. Time management is one of the toughest things that students face and it is a key life skill. You use the planner for planning. Planning is not simply recording when you have a dinner date or a paper due. It involves looking ahead and also back. You look ahead to see, for example, when your paper is due, then look back to see where you have blocks of time to work on the paper. You not only impress your teacher, but keep yourself from procrastinating. Other assignments, such as reading a novel for your literature class, may be done in small time chunks. Find out when and where you can find your professor. You want to get to know them so they can be helpful to you. Use office hours. The students who do the best also have the best relationships with their professors. Faculty enjoy the interaction with interested students and helping those who may be struggling to get better. Getting ready to start the semester begin by making a friend of your professor. Find out how the grades are structured. Sometimes there may be quizzes, papers, exams, projects or class participation. See where you are going to have to apply the most effort to get the grades you want. If you know you will need help plan to schedule time at the tutoring or writing centers. Sometimes they are first come first serve and so making an appointment while you are getting ready to start the semester is smart. Doing all these things at the beginning of the semester will assure a good outcome at the end. Stephenie Lee is the founder of Lee Academia Educational Consulting, consultant and the author of "Writing a Compelling College Application Essay: Workbook" and other College series workbooks. She is also an expert on test taking strategies, study skills and college admissions strategies. Find out more about Stephenie at website.
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Some grad-school hopefuls with stellar test scores and straight As might be disappointed to discover they aren't a shoo-in. Sure, schools want to see top-notch grades, but many also want to see a few years of work experience in the field and some meaningful volunteer work. You can have all the wonderful grades in the world, but if you don't make a commitment in a bigger way to being a leader, and do something in the community, you're not somebody great schools need to have in their class.
Having two to three years of professional experience will add to the richness of the discussion and having some work experience also "demonstrates a commitment to that field." In some cases, a summer internship or a recent community service project may be enough to help you stand out. People considering a master's degree should take a year or two off to get work experience after they earn their bachelor's, especially if they don't have any professional experience. It can help you sort out what direction you'd like to go" with your degree. And maintaining professional connections while in school can also help increase a student's chances of landing a job once the program is over. For more tips on what grad schools won't tell you, ask our experts here. Contributed by Joyce Mei, Hunter College HS (Class of 2015)
A crucial part of the college admissions process is the application essay. And we all want college admissions officers to read our application and totally understand who we are from these couple paragraphs that are supposed to capture our essence. One must consider, then, how will a college admissions officer dub you? We must keep in mind that these admissions officers have over 1000 applications to look over and that they will only spend an average of eight minutes per application. Therefore, they will label each applicant with a couple of words that stand out. It is the applicant’s job to make sure that dub is a good one. Here are a few examples:
For more information and advice on writing college admissions essays, contact Lee Academia experts. Students can say farewell to vocabulary flashcards with arcane words like “membranous,” “pugnacious,” and “jettison.” In the new SAT, to be unveiled in 2015, David Coleman, president of the College Board wants to get rid of obscure words and replace them with more common words like “synthesis,” “distill” and “transform,” used in context as they will be in college and in life.
And the math? “There are a few things that matter disproportionately, like proportional reasoning, linear equations and linear functions,” Mr. Coleman said. “Those are the kinds of things we’re going to concentrate on.” He also mentioned that it shouldn't be about picking the right answer, but about being able to explain and see the applications of math. Big changes are coming to the nation’s two competing admissions tests. Mr. Coleman is intent on rethinking the SAT to make it an instrument that meshes with what students are learning in their classrooms. Meanwhile, the ACT, which has always been more curriculum-based, is the first of the two to move into the digital age. In adapting its test for the computer, ACT Inc. is moving toward more creative, hands-on questions. Both organizations are striving to produce something beyond a college admissions test. ACT plans to start yearly testing as early as third grade to help guide students to college readiness. One of Mr. Coleman’s goals is for the College Board to help low-income students see broader college possibilities. Since he arrived at the College Board in October, Mr. Coleman has been working on a fundamental redesign of the SAT, which he announced in February. The test, he said, should focus on “things that matter more so that the endless hours students put into practicing for the SAT will be work that’s worth doing.” As the architect of the Common Core standards — guidelines for what students should learn in each grade — that are being put into place in most states, it is no surprise that he has clear views on what the SAT should test, although he declines to offer specifics because College Board members need to be consulted on every element of the redesign. In 2005, spurred by the threat that the University of California system might no longer consider its test for admission, the College Board introduced with fanfare the “New SAT,” dropping quantitative comparisons and the “warm is to cool as top is to ___” analogies and adding more advanced math, in the process making the test more like the ACT. Competition between the two tests has not let up: for the first time last year, the ACT surpassed the SAT in market share. With the new redesign, the SAT seems likely to inch even closer in content to the ACT, which focuses more on grammar, usage and mechanics than on vocabulary. “Kids need to have a level of ambition,” he said, “because what we find is that absent the intensity of a peer group committed to getting into college, kids just fall away, even a lot of the ones who do very well on the test, and could go to top colleges.” Recent research on how few high-achieving low-income students apply to top colleges, and that the College Board must help ensure that these students get information about colleges they could aspire to and financial aid that would pay for it were considered. “We will consider students who take the assessment as within our care, and that means that sending out a score report isn’t the end of it,” he said. Starting in 2015, the ACT will be available on a computer as well as, for the time being, on paper. Those who take the test on a computer will see a new breed of questions — free-response questions in which students manipulate on-screen images to form their conclusions. In one sample question, students move a plunger on a cylindrical gas tank to change gas pressure and temperature. They then write a few sentences describing the relationship between distance and pressure and between temperature and pressure, and graph those relationships. Many details of digitization remain to be resolved. Which questions will be graded by computer, and which by humans? And because the two versions need to be comparable, just how many beyond-the-bubble questions will be added to the mix? One decision that has been made: content will be unchanged. Indeed, ACT wants to reach ever younger — into elementary school. Next year, it will start rolling out a series of computer-based tests that track student learning over time as well as progress in the current school year, and measure how far above or below grade level a student is in core subjects. Alabama, for one, has signed on to use the tests as its end-of-year assessment for Grades 3 to 8. In the program, parents and teachers will get increasingly detailed reports outlining the skills needed to be ready for college. Contributed by Douglas Lee, Case Western Reserve (Class of 2016)
Most successful students share a couple common habits and tendencies. Top students know there are no short cuts to success and that you can always improve and take advantages of the opportunities that are presented. For those of us that aren’t geniuses, here are a couple tips that may help.
Top students are internally driven to succeed. What drives each one is different, be it a prestigious medical school acceptance, a dream job, or personal validation, find one that motivates you from inside and see how you can use it to channel your focus. Setting a goal to achieve and having a plan to follow to reach it may help you stay on track.
Like athletes, top students like winning and coming out on top. There is some thrill and satisfaction when you, for example, come out with the highest grade on a test. Aiming to come out on top may provide some extra motivation for you to succeed.
Contributed by Joyce Mei, Hunter College HS (Class of 2015)
College freshmen, worried about forgetting something, always tend to overpack on the countless essentials that all seem to be needed, However, there are certain things that are better left at home:
For more details about the transition to college, contact Lee Academia experts. Why engage the services of a private college consultant?
Independent college consultants are
Contributed by Douglas Lee, Case Western Reserve (Class of 2016)
By far, the most challenging part of the college application is the college essay. You might ask yourself, “How can I possibly fully convey my individuality and personal value in 650 words or less?!” but read these tips for some help on how to take on this daunting task. 1. Finding a Topic – This is the big first step in this process. Start by brainstorming some ideas and try to find an instance in your recent life, whether an important event in your life or a smaller one, that displays your thought process and how you can handle challenging situations. The way each individual’s mind works is different, and in this essay, you want to show why your mind is distinctive and an asset to the college community. 2. First Draft – If necessary, you may want to write multiple first drafts about different topics. When you write these drafts, just let your ideas flow onto the page and it is fine if it comes out to three pages long. You can edit out the parts you don’t want and fix up the grammar and diction in later drafts. 3. Be Yourself and Be Specific – Don’t just write about what you think others will want to hear. Be specific about how the story you are telling relates to your personal qualities and how the angle you’re taking is reflected. The story is only as good as how you spin it in your favor. 4. Illustrate your Story and Be Vivid – I’m sure you’ve heard this countless times from your fifth grade teacher, but “show, not tell” is the name of the game here. You can claim that you are smart, courageous, determined and all that, but your readers will never be convinced unless you show them how you displayed those desirable characteristics in concrete examples. In your essay, write about how the particular instance you have chosen has impacted you and why it is compelling. Give details that show your story is likable and that you are personable. 5. Show that you are Goal-Oriented – Let your reader know that you strive for success and that you want to contribute something of value to your environment. But at the same time, you do not need to list your accomplishments or include any humble-brags. There is a separate section of the application to do just that! 6. Get a Second Opinion and Rewrite – Your essay is one of the few aspects of your application that show what your personality is actually like. You know exactly what you mean when you write down those words, but perhaps those words may not convey your message fully to a second reader. Sure the words make sense in your head, but a stranger who is reading your essay does not have the same background knowledge that you do. Having a teacher or a friend look over your essay may help you deliver your message clearer, provide other aspects of your personality to display, and give your essay a better direction to follow. For more guidance with the College Personal Statements or Essays, contact our experts for more advice. Rising High school Seniors...You're running out of time. Avoid the time crunch in the fall.
Here's what you should start to do: 1. Check deadlines: Get a calendar and start keeping track of deadlines for applications and financial aid. You'll to decide whether to apply early decision, early action or regular decision, if given those choices. When you apply early, the school might require that you submit your financial aid application far in advance, so check deadlines. 2. Get started on the essay: Writing the college essay is nerve-wracking. If you start now, you're more likely to be able to devote the time to do a great job. If you are applying to a school that uses the Common Application, you can obtain a list of the new essay questions that was released in February. While you can often use the same essay for multiple schools, be prepared to answer a college's supplemental questions. 3. Don't forget the supplemental materials: If you are an artist, musician, or actor, applying to colleges can be even more time consuming. You typically will have to send a résumé noting your artistic background and accomplishments, as well as a portfolio that can be captured on a CD or DVD. Start and finish your portfolio now. 4. Research: If you haven't begun researching schools, get started now. Start requesting admission materials from school websites. In addition, spend time on the college's admission website. You can find academic profiles of the freshmen class, notable facts about the school, information on financial aid and scholarships. There are many schools that will offer virtual tours and opportunities for online chats, so why not check it out? Also, start looking online at a school's relevant academic departments. 5. Get Help: Whether you know it or not, most collegebound students are getting help from private educational consultants. Why? Getting into college has become more and more fierce, with thousands of students applying each year. Ask an Educational Consultant for help. Lee Academia's expert consultants are affordable and are certified in College counseling with over 10 years of experience and a successful track record of getting their students into their top choice matching colleges. So get guidance and help early. Contributed by Douglas Lee, Case Western Reserve (Class of 2016)
Finding a job is easier than you may think. Across the campus, there are many departments, labs, and other outlets looking for students for work. Try to find a job that suits you and one you can work up to 10-12 hours a week. It is awfully grueling to work 20+ hours a week while also handling a full course load. Also, remember to be a good employee. Work hard in your position, and especially in internships/research jobs. These first experiences may lead to full time jobs after graduation. Later on, it’s often who you know, not what you know.
Now, with all your hard earned money from your campus job, what are you going to do with it? You should open a banking account with a debit card to store all that money so you don’t have those Benjamins just lying around! Having a debit card may help curb your temptations and impulses because you can only spend what’s in your account. Try opening a bank that is local to your college town. You may have already opened a bank account back home, but if there aren’t many branches or ATMs around your campus, that account won’t do you much good.
Great, with a well-paying campus job and a bank account to store those $9.50/hour wages, the next step is to set up a monthly budget for yourself. Set up a monthly and weekly budget and keep track of your spending. It is very easy to lose track of your spending, with weekend outings with friends, local concerts, and great restaurants tempting you to empty your wallet. You don’t necessarily have to spend money to have fun in college. Be on the lookout for campus activities / economical outings that your school provides.
Remember to keep track of deadlines and paperwork to hand in. Your financial aid may decrease substantially if you miss those important due dates. You don’t want to lose your chance at those tens of thousands of dollars that you have already been awarded just because you forgot about a deadline. Also, you may not get to register for classes in time, which only leads to disaster. You never want to be in a rush for these financial aid matters because mistakes can be made in these situations, so make sure to be prepared.
This last tip may seem the most intimidating for students who have never applied for scholarships before. There are thousands of scholarships out there and they can range from a couple hundred dollars to a few thousand dollars. Don’t disregard the scholarships with smaller awards, as those will be easier to attain since they have a smaller applicant pool. Hey, getting $500 for writing an essay about a random topic, or spending a little time to fill out an application and including a resume to earn a thousand big ones sounds *For any Financial Aid Assistance, contact FAConsultant_Elisa@gmail.com. |
Stephenie Lee
Stephenie, having been a tutor/instructor/mentor since 1996, discovered her passion and founded Lee Academia Educational Consulting, LLC. after she left the dental and medical field. She loves teaching/mentoring and counseling her students. Her passion lies in educating others and helping them pursue their educational path. Today, certified in College Counseling and with more than 10 years of experience, Stephenie and her team continues to blog about current updated educational news and events. Archives
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