Thank a School Counselor Today (or Any Day)
Did you know that we were in the midst of National School Counseling Week? At the beginning of every February, Americans across the land come together to celebrate the unique contribution of professional school counselors in our schools. Or at least they would if National School Counseling Week got more press! School counselors may not be responsible for “guidance” anymore, but they deliver all kinds of crucial counseling: academic, crisis, even parental. Students and families also look to high school counselors as their chief resource on colleges and careers. I’ve had the good fortune over my career to interact with many exceptional counselors who consistently go above and beyond in helping students and their families navigate the college search and application process. More important, my children have the good fortune to live in a school district where outstanding counselors are respected and appreciated. Did your school counselor help you navigate…
Unserious Back-To-School Tips
In our area, students go back to school right after Labor Day. Obviously, the frenzied preparation, not to mention wailing and gnashing of teeth, has already begun. Fortunately, you can always count on the fine folks at The Onion for moral support, in this case some pretty funny Back-To-School Preparation Tips For Parents: Calmly explain to your child that those summertime days of eating peanuts with reckless abandon are officially over Prepare a study area in a quiet part of the house where you can complete your child’s homework without any distractions Children who eat healthy, balanced breakfasts tend to do better in school. Find out which kids do that, and instruct your children to cheat off them Listen to your children’s feelings about returning to school before telling them the right ones to have The article shares plenty more, so enjoy and good luck!
How to Succeed At School
When adults try to measure success, metrics vary widely, from financial wealth to professional distinction to emotional satisfaction. We usually evaluate success in children more narrowly: grades. Excellent grades imply accomplishment in school that may translate to mastery in the workplace. For better or for worse, great grades mean a lot to many of us, parents and kids alike. While asking how much academic achievement should matter deserves consideration, a more practical question asks how to achieve academic success. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development digs deep into that issue in its Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) Survey of the educational performance of 15-year-olds in reading, mathematics, and science in OECD countries. Surprisingly, this research finds that simple and direct correlations between students’ academic achievement and their attitudes toward school were near zero. From developed countries to developing ones, across genders and socio-economic backgrounds, there is no real…
Five of The Best Tips for H.S. Juniors You’ll Ever Read
When you are on the road to college, you can learn a lot from those who have already arrived at your destination. More valuable, though, is advice offered by the gatekeepers who have direct influence on your chance of acceptance. Jeff Schiffman is the Senior Associate Director of Admission at Tulane University, which means his insights matter A LOT. So what recommendations does he offer to the high school graduating class of 2016? 1. Your coursework and grades matter the most in this process. Stellar ACT and SAT scores can give you a nice boost, but at the end of the day, those grades are king. We look for the balance: taking the most challenging courses that you can that still allow you to maintain a strong GPA. And yes, your freshman and sophomore year grades matter. Big time. 2. Take challenging courses… …but don’t overdo it, leaving you…