Preparing for the SAT/ACT

        There are a significant number of college entrance exams 

exams coming up this spring and early summer.  The SAT will be offered
on May 5th and June 2nd, the ACT on April 14th and June 9th.  

Students who are in Advanced Placement high
school courses will soon have exams for those classes as well.

        These exams can be much more taxing and
stressful than your typical, everyday tests.  We have some suggestions
to help you prepare.

*Sleep

-Try to get at least 8 hours of sleep the night before. Doing an
"all-nighter" is not recommended. You are much less likely to retain
information when fatigued and a lack of sleep will only leave you
feeling drained the next day.

*Nutrition

-Be sure to eat a filling and nutritious breakfast the morning of your
test.  Some of these exams can be quite lengthy, meaning that you might
be testing for several hours (and even longer if you require a special
accommodation).  Feeling hungry will just serve as a distraction.  If
your test center allows you, bring a snack to enjoy during break times.

*Test Prep/Tutoring

- We recommend studying for the SAT or ACT for at least 2 months prior
to the test.  Consider it the Final Exam to
high school, covering much of the material you learned since middle school. 

 There is a lot of material you will need to review. To 

prepare for the test, be sure to have a study plan and study at
least 20-30 minutes per night, 3-4 nights per week. Take a
diagnostic/practice test to get a baseline score and identify your
strengths and weaknesses. This way you will be able to spend more time
studying on the areas that you need to improve. You can study on your
own, with a group of students, or hire an expert tutor like Academy Tutoring.

-There is no limit on the number of times you may take the SAT and ACT
which means you will have multiple chances to improve your score if you
choose to do so. Colleges usually take your highest math and highest verbal score

which is called "Super Scoring." 

-We highly suggest going to https://www.collegeboard.org/ to find important
information regarding cost, deadlines and registration.  Feel free to
also reach out to us at (570) 540-9628 or academytutoring@hotmail.com 

for guidance as well.  We have helped hundreds of local students reach their

 college and scholarship goals!

Good luck!

The Importance of Volunteer Work

        Participating in volunteer work can be one of the most fulfilling
ventures that one can experience.  At some point in our lives, usually
in our youth, we have the opportunity to do community
service, many times for an organization we're part of. This can be for church,
our school, or another organization like the Girl/Boy Scouts.

Here are some great benefits to volunteering:

*Make new friends

-Volunteer work gives one the opportunity to meet and connect with
people outside of their regular social network.  You are highly likely
to encounter other volunteers who share your interests and participate
in similar activities.

*Boosts college applications

-Volunteering reflects well on an individual and shows college
admissions staff and/or recruiters that you possess qualities they are
looking for in potential candidates.  All volunteer work requires some
personal sacrifice as well as a commitment to helping others without
profit or compensation in return.

-There are many organizations on local, state, and national levels that
offer scholarships to students who have completed a specific number of
hours and have shown a great dedication to their community.

*Gain valuable work experience and acquire references

-Volunteering is an excellent way to discover different career options,
whether you are already working or just beginning the college
application process.

-You can fine-tune skills you already have while also developing new
ones.  Especially if you have a limited work history, volunteering can
expose you to real-life work responsibilities that will certainly
enhance your applications and create more opportunities.

-Did you develop a close, professional relationship with another
volunteer or employee at the company you volunteered with?  (Someone who
has observed your work ethic, positive attributes, etc.) Be sure to ask
if they would consider being a reference for you and then collect their
personal information.

Feel free to contact us for advice or if you would like us to suggest
some organizations for you!

Back-to-School

     Probably very few of us are willing to admit it, but the summer is coming to a close.  The stores are already displaying fall and Halloween decorations (way to early!) and soon everything, from coffee to candles, will be pumpkin spice scented or flavored.  This also means that it is back-to-school season.  It is very common for students to feel those beginning of the school year jitters.  So how can you cope?  Here are some suggestions:  

*Know that these feelings are very normal.  Students of all ages and abilities, parents, and even teachers experience new school year nervousness.  Such emotions are prevalent during times of change.  

*Prep yourself early.  Start getting your materials ready now versus later.  Purchasing a new backpack, notebooks, binders, etc. before school starts will help you feel prepared – and more confident as well.  

*Develop a routine and consider sleep training.  Going back to a highly structured routine can be overwhelming, especially after the lazy days of summer.  Sleep training involves prepping your body for the sleeping and waking cycle that going to school requires.  Practicing your schedule a few days or weeks ahead of time makes the morning rush feel like less of a shock.   

*There’s lots to look forward to! Seeing your friends again, making new friends, field trips, and the list goes on!

*Remember that there are so many resources out there to help you in any capacity.  If something is not working out, reach out to your parents, teachers, tutors, or any other individuals that you trust.  We are all here to help you succeed!

Good luck to everyone in the 2017-2018 school year!

Summer Learning Loss

       It's finally summer and most schools have now dismissed for the year.  
While students are enjoying their well deserved break from their busy 
schedules, many parents may be concerned that their children could lose
some of their learned skills and knowledge.
    Although this is a common and justified concern, summer vacation does  
not have to mean that students will experience a loss of learning.
        *One solution - Sign up for tutoring services!
           -Summer is a great time to master material covered during the previous 
            school year, or get ahead for the upcoming year.
           -Tutoring is a one-on-one relationship, meaning that the tutor can 
           better identify the child's strengths and weaknesses while also reducing 
           the stress of a larger classroom environment (this is true during 
           anytime of the year)!
        *Next, incorporate an educational experience into your vacation
           -Heading to fun destination?  Why not check out some local museums, 
           visit an important historical site, or hike through a national/state 
           park?  Take advantage of any guided tours that are offered.
        *Also try volunteer work
           -Most children today have to complete volunteer work during their 
           academic careers whether it is for school, church, or to satisfy some 
           other requirement.
          -Accumulating volunteer hours will be greatly beneficial for older 
          students as it will look great on scholarship and college applications.
          -Consider a nearby library, your local chapter of the American Red 
           Cross, hospitals, etc.
        -In short, volunteering = intellectual stimulation
Thanks and have a great summer!

Finishing the School Year Strong

Finishing the School Year Strong

It is now the first week in May and before you know it, the daily countdown to summer vacation will begin.  Winter storm "Stella" may have affected schedules for the public schools in our area, causing the countdown to have extra make-up days. 

            Teachers, parents, and students alike can feel worn out by spring, but it is essential for all to finish the school year strong.  These last weeks and days are still important.

Student Tips:

Organize 

Why does spring always seem to be the busiest part of the school year?  Fill in a calendar for all final due dates of assignments, tests/exams, and your extra-curriculars like games, recitals, art shows, and other competitions.  Writing all of this down instead of trying to remember everything is a great stress reliever - give it a try!

Run Through the Finish Line 

Whether you'll be entering a new grade in the fall, transferring schools, or going off to college, finish well and strong.  The consequences for poor grades or bad behavior can and will carry over into the next school year – or even lead to summer school.   

Stay positive

            Remind yourself that all of your work will be finished soon.  A negative attitude will only make your obligations more laborious.  You've worked hard all year long, don't give up now! 

Parent Tips:

Help the kids stay on task

This time of year, students of all ages can become disengaged and lose any interest in school work.  Set some final goals for yourself and your students to keep them involved and hopefully well-behaved throughout those final days. 

Reflection

            Ask your children to reflect on their performance over the past year.  Have them answer questions like: What did you most enjoy about the class?  What would you change?  Did you overcome any academic hurdles?  Is there anything you wish you did differently?  Such constructive feedback will be beneficial for teachers and help students realize any weakness and better prepare for future challenges. 

And finally, you're certainly allowed to make plans for your summertime.  It will help keep you motivated while working through those final tasks.  What a wonderful reward for working so hard!

Spring Fever!

On March 20^th the northern hemisphere recognized the spring equinox, signaling the start of longer days and warmer temperatures.  This time of year often sparks an affliction for children and adults alike – Spring Fever!  For those of us in Northeast Pennsylvania, this is a welcomed change.  The several feet of snow from the March blizzard have finally melted and now signs of life are popping up everywhere.  Despite the beautiful conditions that beckon us outside, work still needs to be completed.  So, how exactly can we stay focused on academic, professional, and personal tasks despite Mother Nature influencing us otherwise?  Let’s explore!

•         Rather than fight the season, why not take some of your work outside?  Students who have been inside all day would likely benefit from a change of scenery.  If you can, take your homework al fresco and soak up some of that sunshine.  Adults should take advantage of this opportunity as well.  
•        Can’t go outside?  Open a window in your work area to let in some of that sweet spring air!  Schedule a short break every so often to recharge and destress. 
•        Try a different mode of transportation.  During the winter, most of us want to stay out of the cold and wind.  If possible, try walking or riding a bike to your destination in the spring.  Not only will you satisfy your spring fever, you’ll be getting some healthy exercise as well. 

Do you have any methods you use to beat spring fever?  Please share!

Happy Pi Day!

Today is a very special holiday of sorts for math enthusiasts around the world - It's Pi Day!  Every year on March 14, we celebrate pi.  What a wonderful excuse to share some fun facts about everyone’s favorite mathematical constant!

So for those who don’t already know, what exactly is pi?  Pi is an irrational number whose digits continue to infinity – which is why we round it to its shorter version, 3.14.  It is the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter and represented by the Greek letter, π.  It is a staple in geometry (shapes, hooray!) and other mathematic disciplines. 

Ready for some fun facts? 

*Pi has been studied for roughly 4,000 years by many different civilizations.  In 1650 B.C., an Egyptian scribe approximated and recorded the value for pi.  Amazingly, his estimation was only off by ~1% compared to today’s value.  Pretty impressive!

*Albert Einstein shared his birthday with pi day!

*Although pi is an infinite number, many individuals have tried to calculate its full value.  The most recent records show that pi has been computed to 12.1 trillion digits!¹  Imagine how long that must have taken!

How do you plan to celebrate Pi Day? 

References

¹Lehnardt, K. (2016). “50 Interesting Facts about Pi.” Fact Retriever. https://www.factretriever.com/pi-facts