Tag: sophomore year

Why Do I Have to Outline? (And Other Tips for Starting Your Essay)

Posted by: admin on September 19th, 2019

Have you ever gotten halfway through a writing assignment, only to realize you have no idea what you’re saying or if you’re even addressing the topic? Yeah, us too. That’s why one of the first assignments you’re likely to get this year is the dreaded paper outline. Outlines might seem like busy work engineered by […]

Help! The PSAT is Right Around the Corner!

Posted by: admin on September 5th, 2019

At this point, junior year is in full swing, and you now understand what all your upperclassmen friends have been warning you about. You’ve likely got a test or paper under your belt in each of your classes and are in the process of finding the balance of managing a heavier workload and more responsibility […]

Plan: Think Before You Act

Posted by: admin on April 30th, 2019

By John Jones & Maureen Delaney “Look before you leap!” This phrase means you should think, pay attention, and have your wits about you — before you make your move. It is important to think ahead and make up your own mind about what to do next so that you don’t wind up with an unwelcome […]

How NOT to Take a Practice Test

Posted by: admin on April 25th, 2019

Practice testing is an essential part of your prep for a standardized test. When taking a practice SAT, ACT, or other standardized exam, you’ll get the opportunity to answer former or approximate test questions in a simulated testing environment. The feedback you will receive and the stamina you will build by sitting for practice tests […]

AP Exam Prep Strategies

Posted by: admin on April 22nd, 2019

Spring has sprung, and all you want to do is to go enjoy the sunshine, explore the outdoors (apart from those pesky allergies), and relax after a long winter and a longer school year. But spring also means that AP exams are approaching quickly. Maybe you’re taking your first AP class, or maybe you’re wondering […]

Choosing an Educational Counselor

Posted by: admin on March 31st, 2019

The fundamental role of an independent educational counselor (IEC) is to help students make decisions about their educational journey experience. That responsibility includes helping students explore high school opportunities, college options, and, often, career pathways, in order for them to succeed both academically and socially. IECs don’t get students admitted: they help students by offering […]

So, Can I Drop French?

Posted by: admin on March 31st, 2019

It’s course registration season, one of the most empowering moments during the early years of high school. Especially as you near the halfway mark, the end of your sophomore year, it is important to think strategically and reflectively as you make your choices. Often, the junior year course selection offers you more choices than in […]

Understanding Your PSAT Score Report

Posted by: admin on March 15th, 2019

You’ve likely pushed hard to get the most out of your PSAT results, to get those high numbers you’ve dreamed of seeing on your score report. The numbers at the top do tell a lot, but they aren’t the whole story. As you look over your PSAT scores, try not to focus too much on […]

Sophomore SAT? Maybe if it’s a Subject Test

Posted by: admin on March 14th, 2019

Originally published January 30, 2019; updated January 15, 2020 Many of you took a PSAT this year, and that’s great. Your results will be super helpful when you begin thinking about whether the SAT or the ACT is right for you. But please don’t worry about that yet. Unless you’re a heavily recruited five-star athlete […]

Study Skills to Break the Vicious Cycle

Posted by: admin on March 14th, 2019

Raise your hand if you’d like to spend less time studying and get better grades. No, no, not both hands, and stop jumping up and down! Seriously, though … if you’re like most of my students, you might feel trapped in a bit of a vicious cycle right about now: you stay up late to […]