Getting Perspective

College Admissions Marketing Avalanche

noreply@blogger.com (Education Perspective) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 17:02:00 +0000

If you are the parent of a high school junior or senior you have most likely notice an increase in your daily mail (and email) delivery. Marketing and public relations for colleges is BIG business! You are now the target consumer – welcome to the frenzy.

The mailings you receive are carefully crafted by teams of professionals following focus group evaluations, surveys, and thousands (at some school hundreds of thousands) of dollars. Now that they have your child’s name, you can anticipate seeing some form of communication from many colleges every 7 to 10 days. Repetitions is a huge component in marketing success. But you don’t have to let it overwhelm you or your child!

Education Perspective offers college admissions consulting to demystify and simplify the process. Best of all – our service is completely personalized for you. We become your personal guide to find the best fit for each individual student based on their specific needs, interests, and goals.

But what can a parent do to take some of the stress out of the college search?

1. Take the opinions of others under advisement but not as an absolute. What may have been a great experience for a friend of family member doesn’t mean that college will offer what is most important to you. Further research must be done.
2. Narrow the field of choices by establishing a priority list of “most important college characteristics” with your student. For example, would the student feel more comfortable in a large city or a smaller town? Start with the big picture and then get down to specific details.
3. Plan to devote a lot of personal time to research and then select 10 schools to review more closely. You should include campus visits to as many choices as possible.
4. Find out what colleges will be offering information sessions locally that you and/or the student can attend.

Like any other major investment in life, you MUST be an informed consumer. If Education Perspective can be of service please contact us at 617-694-5682.

Tutors Can Help the High School Transition

noreply@blogger.com (Education Perspective) — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 19:29:00 +0000

The first year of high school is a period of adjustment. High school brings new academic challenges with harder workloads and a pressure that every grade will now matter for their ultimate college choice.

A tutor can help a student adjust to the new environment and build successful study habits. Help from a tutor can ease a student’s anxieties in addition to providing expertise in subject areas. Students will face a heavier academic load in high school and have the new experience of self-reliance when dealing with their teachers. A tutor can help a student adjust to the faster academic pace of high school and manage the increased amount of homework.

As a parent there are things that you can do to help with this transition.
-Introduce yourself to your child’s guidance counselor early on and consider opportunities to involve yourself in school committees and activities.
-Encourage your child to involve themselves in the extracurricular activities that interest them.
-Help them develop academic independence and accountability.

Senior Year Timeline for September

noreply@blogger.com (Education Perspective) — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 15:10:00 +0000

Senior year is such an exciting (and sometimes anxious) time. Keep your senior year on track by starting off right this September.

-Finalize your essay and complete your common application.
-Schedule campus interviews.
-Register and prepare now for any SAT or ACT retakes.
-Review your study habits and consider a study skills tutor for improvement.
-Set goals for the year and organize.

Most of all seniors, make sure to enjoy these remaining moments of high school and your friends! You have many special memories to make.

Create Good, Independent Homework Habits

noreply@blogger.com (Education Perspective) — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 18:37:00 +0000

It is great that you want to be a resource and an active participant in your child's homework time. However, it is important that children take the initiative to work on their homework difficulties themselves. Parents need to strike the proper balance between helping create good, independent homework habits and doing too much for their child.

Do:
-Take an interest in helping your child.
-Explain homework directions and guidelines if your child is confused. Then let them continue on their own.
-Have the child return to their study area to complete their assignment.
-Be supportive and encouraging.
-Monitor their homework and review it when they are done.
-Ensure that siblings or other family members don't interrupt the student during homework time.

Don't:
-Sit with your child nightly doing homework.
-Complete homework for your child.
-Criticize or pressure the child.

State SAT Scores Continue to Drop

noreply@blogger.com (Education Perspective) — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 16:38:00 +0000

The College Board has reported Massachusetts SAT scores continue to slip.

According to figures, the more than 60,000 Massachusetts students who took the college-entrance exam scored an average of 501 on the critical reading portion of the test – down from 502 in 2005. The mean mathematics score was 515, which was the same as last year, but below the 2005 average of 520.

Many students seek test preparation assistance. Education Perspective offers one-on-one, targeted SAT preparation. We work with students on the two crucial components that WILL make the difference – knowledge and test-taking strategy.

Be careful when considering programs that promise a specific point increase. No one can guarantee an improved score. A tutor can certainly work with a student on the content and formulate a test-taking strategy. If a student commits to the tutor sessions, then the score will reflect this.

Read more helpful tips at www.educationperspective.com/satprep.htm.

College: Don't Forget to Study

noreply@blogger.com (Education Perspective) — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 14:58:00 +0000

Leaving for college is an exciting time for both the student and the parent. You are all embarking on a whole new chapter of life. Once the excitement settles down, it will be time for the student to study and make the most of your college investment.

A dorm room is very convenient but it is a bad choice for a study space. Students will find that they have improved concentration and efficiency when they have a specific study location. Make a list of possible study locations around campus based on noise level, availability, and cleanliness. Then take time to try each one to find the best and most comfortable space for your needs.

How you study is just as important as where you study.

Once a study locale is selected, you want to focus on how you are studying and if it is effective. To make the most of your study time, make the most of daylight hours. This is especially true for your most challenging courses. You will retain more and have a better attention span earlier in the day. And, we all know that college students like to make the most of the evening (and wee morning) hours!

Avoid studying marathons. The most effective way to study is in 20-50 minute periods with brief breaks in between. Organize your studies from most challenging to least. Spend the beginning hour of study time on your most difficult subject.

Effective note-taking skills in both the classroom and during your personal study time is essential. Review your class notes and keep consistent study notes of main points, your research, and your personal thoughts or feelings about what you are studying.

By reviewing your course materials regularly, you will improve your concentration and memory.

Early Planning Can Ease Back to School Woes

noreply@blogger.com (Education Perspective) — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 13:46:00 +0000

This is an ideal time of year – before the mad rush of school preparations - for parents to get their kids back into the habit of school.

Heading back to the classroom is a big adjustment for students psychologically. After a summer of watching television and playing games, waiting until the first official day of school can prove a cruel reality. Kids are more successful if parents kick-start things in August as opposed to September. Students, on average, lose about 2.6 months of grade-level equivalency in math computation skills over the three summer months. Children of low-income families experience an average summer loss in reading achievement of more than two months. Summer time gives students a chance to relax but all too often, especially for students with learning difficulties, school problems are forgotten about and these problems will resurface with the start of the school year.

There are many things that a family can do from creating an appropriate study space and routine to showing enthusiasm for the student’s work and rewarding them. If nothing more, parents can start talking to their kids about school now. Get them excited. Talk to them about seeing old friends, meeting new teachers and learning new things. These are all exciting prospects.

If you are thinking of hiring a tutor this year, start the ball rolling now to make sure you have help there when you need it most. You can contact Education Perspective at 617-694-5682 for more information.

Your Child is Starting Kindergarten, Are You Ready?

noreply@blogger.com (Education Perspective) — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 13:51:00 +0000

Chances are, you are more anxious about your 5-year-old’s first day of kindergarten then they are. Now that this momentous day is looming only a little more than a month away, now is a good time to plan and set routines in order to ease everyone’s first day jitters.

• Get Your Child Motivated to Learn. Talk about school and all of the new friends to be made and activities to learn. Keep the learning casual though – no drilling of the ABC’s or pressure to write his or her own name. However, students should know their full name, address, and phone number in case of emergency.

• Start Reading. If you haven’t been reading to your child on a regular basis, begin doing so immediately. This will help the child to learn to pay attention.

• Shop for School Items. Start with the basics and ask the school for a list of suggested supplies. And take this time to clear out the child’s closets, and other clutter to help with those harried mornings to come when they insist on getting themselves ready for the day.

• Organize a School Spot. Designate a space in the home for your child’s school supplies and where they will put their backpack and other school items each day. This will set up a good habit of organization for the entire year and cut down on morning frenzy.

• Celebrate this Special Day. Let the child know how special this day is and how proud of them you are. Take the time to involve them in the process of getting ready by shopping for a new first day outfit and selecting the items they want in their lunchbox. And, even if you aren’t going to be able to do it everyday, take your child to school on their first day. This will be an important memory for you both!

Summer Time Isn’t Slump Time

noreply@blogger.com (Education Perspective) — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 19:23:00 +0000

What have you done so far this summer vacation? I’m sure much of it has been filled with barbeques and sunscreen but don’t forget to spend some time doing something for your academic future. Summer is a perfect time for high school students to start a college search. Here are some tips and ideas for utilizing some summer downtime:

1. Make a list of your top college choices and plan at least one campus visit before the school year begins.
2. We all know that college is an expensive investment. While online this summer, investigate some scholarship websites. There are literally thousands of scholarship opportunities and you will be surprised at the diversity of requirements. These days, scholarships are awarded for hobbies, special talents, and unique interests in addition to academic performance.
3. Volunteer for organizations that you care about. This looks great on your academic resume.

I know that students have earned a vacation after working so hard this last year but do consider spending some time in the remaining summer weeks looking toward and planning for your future. Just think how much time it will save you once your back in the classroom!

How Summer Tutoring Can Benefit Your Student

noreply@blogger.com (Education Perspective) — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 13:49:00 +0000

Tutors are not just for the school year anymore. While summer vacation offers families some much needed time off, it can prove a difficult gap for some students to overcome when school begins. Summer tutoring is a great investment for any student. And, vacation offers a unique time of year for creative tactics – a chance to engage a student in a subject outside of the confines of classroom walls and textbooks.

Summer tutoring can be helpful in the following ways:

1. Struggling in a subject. If your child had difficulty in a subject during the school year, chances are they will encounter the subject matter again once school begins. For instance, a student who struggled in pre-Algebra will see ALL of that information again with Algebra I and II; as well as on the SAT. When you compound difficulty in a subject matter with a several month gap of learning, students forget what they learned and the struggle begins all over again. Even if he/she is not failing, this is a good time to find a tutor to get your child up to speed and support them as they continue with the course.

2. Keep focused and maintain good study/organizational habits. This can ensure that content and skills aren’t lost or forgotten during a long break.

3. Get a jumpstart on next year. If your child typically struggles in an area, such as math or science, it is helpful to set them up with a tutor before the course starts. The tutor can pre-teach them so they will already have some background knowledge when they enter the class. So much more is expected of students today and the pace for many courses is very fast. Getting a headstart may relieve the anxieties of just trying to keep up.

4. Ease the transition to middle and high schools. For students starting a new year in an entirely new environment there can be many obstacles. You can help your rising sixth or eight grader with a study skills and test preparation tutor. This way they can have a first day that will be way less overwhelming. Additionally the tutor can start the student on the road to organization that will benefit them for the entire year.

5. Refresher on foreign language. A tutor can refresh content from a previous class in order to get your child ready for a related course. For example, the tutor can review Spanish before your child takes Spanish II in school. This is particularly helpful if there is a substantial gap in time in between the courses.

Taking Supplies Inventory Now Will Save You Money

noreply@blogger.com (Education Perspective) — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 19:30:00 +0000

The average family spends more than $590 on back-to-school shopping per student! Taking a school supplies inventory now is good for your wallet and the environment.

Sort through last year’s supplies to see what is left over or items that can be reused. Don’t know where your child’s backpack is or where to find last year’s supplies? This is a perfect time to set up a shelf or container in your home for school supplies to use all year long. By starting to organize now with the left over supplies, you will set your student up for an organized year. One of the major differences between students with good grades and poor grades comes down to organization. If you set up this storage area near the place your child will do homework, you'll be modeling good organizational skills and he'll have what he needs nearby.

Even if you aren’t sure what your child may need this year you can certainly buy the basics when you see a sale. You know you'll need paper, pencils, glue sticks and notebooks.

An example of huge back-to-school sales can be found right now at both Office Max and Staples.
At Office Max you will find the following:
For a penny - Highlighter 2 pack (instantly, limit 3)
A nickel- 6" plastic protractor (instantly, limit 3)
A dime- metal compass (instantly, limit 3)
50 cents- Broad or fine markers, 10 pack (instantly, limit 3)

At Staples you will find the following:
For a penny, you can get an 8 pack of pencils (instantly, limit 2) and a pack of copy paper, 500 sheets (rebate, limit 2).
For a dollar, you can get staplers, white out, scissors, pens, tape, highlighters, pencil boxes, and photo print paper (rebate on this one).
Additionally, by visiting the Staples website you can print out a coupon for $5 off your purchase of $20!

Hurry, because these sales go from Sunday, July 12 to Wednesday, July 15.

This is just one example of how starting early will pay off throughout the summer. Happy shopping!

Summer Reading Keeps Students on Track

noreply@blogger.com (Education Perspective) — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 20:05:00 +0000

This is the time of year when I receive phone calls from clients who want to know how they can keep their child on track this summer and not lose those crucial strides they made during the academic year. The answer is simple – READ. Now, getting a student on summer vacation to read may not be so simple.

Research consistently shows, over and over again, that children who read during the summer do much better in school when it starts again in the fall. And, children who do not read during the summer demonstrate a significant loss of information and skills.

The most important element of your child’s summer reading program is you and your enthusiasm for reading. Be proactive and track down a summer reading list from their school or local library. Also, ask your child if their teacher sent home a recommended summer reading list at the end of the school year. Many libraries also sponsor summer reading clubs and programs which award prizes and incentives for participants.

If there isn’t a summer reading program available to you, or if you are going to be traveling, you can easily create your own. Have your child help from the very start to help excite them. First, make a list of books to read this summer. You can begin by picking a favorite author or a subject. Then, create a calendar of summer reading events and plan special weekly reading activities with your child. Don’t be afraid to incorporate magazines and websites into your program as well. No matter what, keep reading fun and integrate it into a joint activities whenever possible. For instance, prepare for a nature hike on a nice day with guides from your local library; visit some historical sites and have your child research it prior and be the tour guide; have them help with the cooking by reading recipes and writing your grocery shopping lists; or, let your sports fanatic read the newspaper aloud to you.

Enjoy your summer and keep reading!