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!