Aaron Golumbfskie, PrepMatters' Director of Education, discusses the lessons we can take away from finishing the gauntlet of high school standardized tests that linger long after we've put down all our No. 2 pencils.

Fresh notebooks. New backpacks. Summer turning to autumn. A looming zombie apocalypse. Ahh…the start of school!

Brains develop through use, and repeated experiences create distinct circuits. How then do we exercise our brains and build healthy pathways?

The start of the school year is a roller coaster of emotions. There are new school supplies and old friends, new classes and the same old homework. But for most students there is a moment sometime in the first month of school when they look at a clock to see how much time is left in class... and realize they have 9 more months of this.

One great way to learn something new is to watch someone else do it first.

Classes suggest teachers, clubs mean friends, and sports usually involve teammates and coaches. So, your school day is full of people – many folks --all playing different roles in your life.

Ok, so how does helpful feedback sound? How do we recognize its integrity over against needless criticism based in some indistinct emotional fog? Sometimes, the intention behind it is in tone and specific word choice.

Taking positive control is the best way to begin your high school journey.

Welcome to junior year, the most important year of the high school transcript. This will be the most recent full-year of grades submitted with your application. This is the year that highlights your mastery and expertise.

Making the most of your class time through effective note taking is key to managing a busy workload, and mastering these skills in high school will pay off not only now but also in college.