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February 2010 |
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February 2010 |
The spring semester is a busy time for juniors with standardized testing, college decisions, and final exams to worry about. By staying organized, you can keep the chaos at bay. Here's a checklist to keep you stress-free and on task.
- Make a preliminary list of potential colleges. Use all available resources, not just the internet. Attend college fairs and visit different campuses. Siblings, parents, counselors and other adults can help you to figure out what criteria to look for in a college by sharing their experiences.
- Meet with your guidance counselor to discuss your preliminary list of colleges.
- Start gathering the vital details on each school you are interested in. Be sure to find out their standardized test requirements and deadlines for admission!
- Talk with your parents to estimate your college expenses and family contribution.
- If you will require financial aid, start looking at your options now.
- If you have not already done so, start preparing now for the spring SAT or ACT. There is still time to schedule One-on-One, In-Home tutoring sessions or to sign up for a workshop or class. Summit also offers a number of FREE Practice Tests throughout the area.
- Pay close attention to all registration dates for the tests you will be taking this year.
- Challenge yourself academically and keep an eye on what your selected colleges prefer to see in an academic course load. If you need a little extra help in a subject, consider Academic Tutoring for the remainder of the year.
- Be sure to include some fun in your schedule. Enjoy your hobbies, friends, and family. By taking some time to relax, you'll stay calm and cool about your work.
- End
the year well. Keep your grades up by studying
hard for finals.
If spring is hectic for juniors, it can be simply agonizing for seniors! With college applications in and graduation looming, it's easy for seniors to lose themselves in daydreams and focus on anything but school. Your classes are still quite important, though, and the college process isn't over yet. Here's a checklist for ensuring your spring semester is productive.
- Complete and return the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) as soon as possible if you are applying for financial aid.
- Request that your counselor send the transcript of your first semester grades to the colleges to which you applied.
- Remember to monitor your applications to be sure that all materials are sent and received on time.
- Send any additional materials to colleges.
- Complete any scholarship applications.
- Maintain your grades and stay involved in extracurricular activities. Colleges do notice if your GPA drops your last semester!
- Review your college acceptances and financial aid awards with your parents and counselor.
- Once you have made your decision, send your tuition deposit and follow all other instructions for admitted students.
- Notify the other colleges that accepted you that you will not be attending. This may allow another student a much desired entry.
- If you have been placed on a waiting list, talk with your counselor about the best course of action to take. Let the college know you are still very interested if this is your preferred school.
"Our tutor was excellent. We were so impressed with his style of teaching and his ability to personalize the program to Ben's interests and needs. Ben always looked forward to the tutoring sessions and felt like he was sitting down with a friend rather than a teacher. The tutor was able to really reach Ben and boosted his self confidence in his abilities ten fold. -Terri B., Summit Parent
Get to Know Summit: Elena Apostolos
Every month we shine the spotlight on one of our
expert One-on-One, In-Home Tutors or Classroom Program Teachers. This month we
spoke with Massachusetts area tutor Elena Apostolos. Elena has been with Summit since 2005 and is one of our most sought-after tutors. Her students call her "terrific" and say she brings out "a desire to learn."
What do you do outside of Summit?
I teach English at Lowell High School. I also love traveling, reading, and playing Scrabble.
Which subjects do you tutor?
I teach the Verbal sections of the SAT, PSAT, ACT, ISEE, and SSAT. I also occasionally do academic tutoring for English.
What kind of tutor are you?
I try to gauge each student’s personality and study habits and see how I can best plan lessons that are compatible with how that student learns. I also try to show how manageable every test is once we break the whole thing down into components. I feel great when students know exactly which strategies they need to use in order to meet their goals for each section. I try to make each student feel confident about his or her abilities going into the test, because students need to know (and really feel!) that they are capable of success. Also, while I wouldn’t say I make preparing for standardized tests “fun,” I do try to be cheerful and encouraging during all tutoring sessions.
What was your favorite subject in school?
I loved all of my literature classes, from British epistolary novels to contemporary Japanese narratives. I’ve just always enjoyed reading.
Where did you go to college and what was your major?
I earned an undergraduate degree in English from Boston University, which obviously led to a master’s in City Planning (also at BU), which actually led me back to English for a master’s degree in secondary education from the University of Massachusetts. I occasionally refer to this path as “a long and winding road.”
If you could have any super-power, what would it be?
I think the ability to travel through time would be both exhilarating and terrifying. I am basing this belief entirely on the British TV series Doctor Who.
What do you love most about tutoring for Summit?
I love the personalized attention that I can give my Summit students! Plus, it’s very rewarding for me to work with such focused, hard-working kids.
What is your greatest Summit tutoring success story?
One of the first students I worked with started off with SAT Critical Reading scores in the 300s. By the time he took the test, his score was in the mid-500s. He had put in so much work and was so excited to tell me how well he did that I was just thrilled for him.
What advice do you have for anyone considering becoming a Summit tutor?
Students who feel supported and encouraged to meet their own individual goals are more likely to benefit from tutoring than students who compare themselves (or are compared) to their friends or siblings.
What have you learned from your students?
I've learned that there are so many different “right” ways to learn. I love it when a student explains how he or she answered something correctly based on a thought process entirely different than mine. I sometimes take notes so I can use that info with other students - but I always give credit to the students who explained it to me!
Elena has helped countless students maximize their scoring potential, but she is only one of our expert tutors. Call us today at 1-800-MYTUTOR (800-698-8867) to speak with a Program Director to learn more about our One-on-One, In-Home Tutoring in your area.
Wednesday, February 10, 7pm
Wellesley Public Library
Free and open to all
Is your child struggling with his or her workload at school? Is he or she always stressed about tests, studying, and homework? Then this FREE presentation is for you! Learn practical strategies to help your child deal with time management, organization, and study skills, such as:
- Creating the best study space
- Finding the right organizational system
- Setting goals and prioritizing tasks
- Identifying the reading and note-taking strategy that works for his or her individual needs
By following some of the simple steps outlined in this presentation, you can help your child regain focus, mitigate outside distraction, and restore the sense of accomplishment that comes with a job well done! Students are welcome and encouraged to attend!
To RSVP, please register here or call 617-581-6249 by February 8. Space is limited, so call now.
***Due to the coming snow storm on Wednesday, February 10, we have decided to postpone the event for the safety of everyone. We will hold the event in the same location, the Wellesley Free Library, on Wednesday, February 17, 2010 at 7pm. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at 617-581-6249.***
FREE Practice Tests
Summit
Practice Tests offer students a great opportunity to take a standardized test
under simulated proctored and timed conditions. These practice tests are a free
service we offer as part of Summit's commitment to helping students maximize
their test preparation. Students will receive a diagnostic analysis of their
results in the mail.
New England Region
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Tests Offered: SAT, ACT, or SAT Extended Time
Time: 9am-1pm (9am-3pm for Extended Time)
Locations: Brandeis University or Hingham High School
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Tests Offered: SAT or ACT
Time: 9am-1pm
Locations: Brandeis University or Hingham High School
Mid-Atlantic Region
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Tests Offered: SAT or ACT
Time: 9am-1pm
Locations: George Mason University or Summit Office: Bethesda
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Tests Offered: SAT, ACT, or PSAT
Time: 9am-1pm
Locations: George Mason University or Summit Office: Bethesda
Space is limited, so make sure to register soon!
Call 1-800-MYTUTOR (800-698-8867) or click here to
register.
SAT Word of the Month
revere: (v) to look up to, to hold in high regard (reverence n, reverential adj)---Related Words: respect, adulate, venerate
February 2010, VOL. 8, ED. 2
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