Tag: sophomores

How do I revise my paper? (And do I really have to?)

Posted by: admin on May 12th, 2020

Giving yourself time to edit your paper is the single most important step you can take to improve your grade. It’s also the step that students are the most likely to skip. I get it. Revising your paper takes time and planning. And, let’s be honest, with everything you’re juggling, you might feel lucky if […]

I’m Going into STEM. Why Do I Need to Learn to Write?

Posted by: admin on May 6th, 2020

A scientist I worked with once said, “If a picture is worth a thousand words, then an equation is worth a thousand pictures.” Those of you laughing right now are probably STEM students. You know, Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics. You dream big dreams of curing cancer AND the flu. Perhaps you’re already testing machine learning […]

10 Tools to for a Writer’s Block Emergency

Posted by: admin on February 6th, 2020

Let’s not mess around: we’ve all had writer’s block and sometimes need help. It doesn’t mean that we’re special or broken or misunderstood geniuses or fools. Our muses are not at the bottom of a Netflix binge or a pot of coffee or a box of crackers. Working with our writer’s block is a learnable […]

How to Write a Five-Paragraph Essay

Posted by: admin on December 11th, 2019

The Five-Paragraph Essay is the essay structure you will use for almost every piece of writing in high school, from term papers to standardized tests. The structure is simple: there’s an introductory paragraph in which you present your argument, three body paragraphs in which you build support for that argument, and a conclusion in which […]

ACT English Section: What You Need to Know

Posted by: admin on December 5th, 2019

ACT English Overview I often tell students I’m working with that the ACT and the SAT are bad tests. Why? I’ve been working with them for over 15 years and still can’t tell you what they really measure. It’s certainly not “intelligence” or IQ, there’s little correlation between test scores and grades, and test scores […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]