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Capstone Educational Consultants

Helping Students with Test Prep, Tutoring, and Navigating the College Journey

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Surviving College Admissions Deadline

In politics, we always hear of the “October surprise.”  High school seniors have a different understanding when it comes to surprises in October.  Throughout the month and the fall semester, students are scrambling for time to finish their applications, edit and re-edit their college essays, all in hopes to reach the college admissions deadline.  And, there are different deadlines depending on the college.  For Early Decision, many see October 15, while others have determined November 1 or 15.  Some Early Action deadlines stretch even later like December 1, 15 or even January 1.  Regardless of the day, surviving this gauntlet of detail can wear down the most eager of students.  

So, here are a few suggestions for parents on surviving college admissions deadline day:

Stay Healthy

Whatever the schedule, getting the proper rest for your student is paramount.  And, be sure to have them eat plenty of smart foods for the brain like salmon, avocado, nuts, broccoli, spinach, berries and let’s not forget; dark chocolate!  Yeah, I know, what student will eat spinach? But, there’s always an alternative! In addition to these great foods, there’s always the daily vitamin!

Stay Organized

When your schedule is packed with school work, band practice, soccer practice, test-prep, volunteering on the weekends and college applications with essays, keeping it all organized is critical.  Look ahead and plan your week accordingly.  It’s a good idea on Sunday to see what your upcoming week may require.  Once you see the big picture, then break it into manageable pieces and plug it into your week to make it all happen smoothly and on-time.

Stay Mindful

Keeping a clear mind is important in producing quality work.  Going for a quick run to unclutter your mind always helps.  You need to be mindful to survive the college admissions deadline.  With a clear mind, your essay is sharper, your applications are clearer and your life gets easier.

 

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4 Back-to-School Tips for High School Students

Back-To-SchoolSummer is closing and many students are about to go back-to-school.  For some, it will be their first year on a new campus, while for others, a reunion of sorts.  Either way, getting off on the right foot could easily set the stage for a knock-out year and prevent many late nights, stressful days and aimless studying.  Because, when it comes to college, every year of high school counts and having a strategy works!  By simply referring to this guide you could maximize your chances of success.

Keep Moving Upward

Regardless of your year in high school, making the grade always wins.  But, the slippery slope in not doing well over time is real.  There are terms for this.  Because the sophomore year tends to fall during the second year of your high school journey — virtually in the middle, some refer to it as “the sophomore slump.”  Perhaps more notoroious, however, is the home stretch.  Seniors can see the finish-line on the first day back-to-school and run out of gas rather soon.  Procrastination sets in and the senior fights contracting the apathetic approach to finishing strong and as a result others ask if they have “senioritis.”

These are dangerous if not addressed quickly.  Signs can be noticed when grades are beginning to move in a downward trajectory.  Sometimes it’s an easy turnaround, but ultimately it is best to continue moving grades in an upward track, even if it is in small increments.  But in the unfortunate event the grades have taken a hit, instead of “throwing in the towel,” take a deep breath and begin building from there.  Move those grades upward!

Avoid Overcommitting

There is nothing worse than not having enough time to do the things that need to get done.  Learning this art while in high school will pay incredible dividends both in college and beyond.  Just keep in mind, getting back-to-school brings a heightened level of excitement and desire to be a part of many things.  Remember to narrow down your options so you’re not overcommitting.

It’s important to identify what it is that drives you.  What are you furiously passionate about?  What do you really like to talk about or get excited about when someone else brings up the subject?  Then, take the time to narrow your focus and select your commitments carefully.  Remember, colleges like to see deep engagment in a few things rather than shallow involvment in many.

Oh, and if you are a senior, do not forget the college application is time consuming, so limit your commitments even more so during this time.

Practice Time Management

Even though you may limit your involvment in extra-curricular activities, the schedule will fill quickly and become very busy.  Transitioning from a care-free summer schedule into a back-to-school routine is daunting and can easily overtake the most experienced of planners.

I was sad to hear that Chick-fil-A was no longer producing their annual “cow-lander.”  Calendars like these are perfect in mapping out large projects.  The ability to flip from month-to-month and see the big picture far outweighs the benefits of any handheld, portable calendar.  However, when it comes to tests, weekly quizzes, reminders and reoccuring events, the pocket calendar on your phone or tablet is perfect!

TIP:  The moment you receive an assignment and you know it’s gonna be a biggie — grab that calendar and start mapping out what, where and when you need to do and be in order to get it done on time.  My rule of thumb was to always set a due date one week earlier than the actual due date.  This way, I gave myself some “buffer-room” for those unforseen train-wrecks.  And, it gave me a peace of mind and a sense of satisfaction knowing it was done while everyone else was stressing out!

Segment Large Assignments Into Small Pieces

The aforementioned TIP was just too good and it need not be left alone.  Of all the tips, this one is by far the crown jewel, especially if learned early.  Parsing a large assignement into “doable” chunks helps remove the stress and promote clarity on the subject.  Students are able to focus in on a part instead of the whole and become more productive in the process.

As mentioned before, place the assignment on a day within one-week of the due date.  Then, after looking at all the requirements (i.e. research, rough drafts, meetings, etc.) begin plugging in dates moving backwards on the calendar.  This allows you to see how much time you actually have to complete the project and identify dates of availability so as to not miss out on opportunity to get things done.

Then, repeat for every assignment!

In the end, this frees up your time more than it fills your time.  You will be able to actually spend time with friends and family, go here or there and do this or that, because you have designated specific time for a specific purpose.  Success is moments away!

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Lessons Learned From the Lower June SAT Scores

Lessons LearnedIn case you missed the news, many high school students who took the June SAT were surprised to learn their scores were lower than they expected. Some knew something was up as many reported the math section seemed particularly easy. Students and parents were unhappy with the unexpected outcome and took to social media almost immediately to make a case. On Twitter, @rescoreJuneSAT went as far as creating a petition and encouraged followers and those perplexed test-takers to sign in hopes of drawing attention from The College Board.

With many dollars and countless hours spent on preparing for tests such as the SAT, students and tutors work hard to maximize the strategies and content by focusing on specific deficiencies or strengths in hopes to raise the score. Students strive to push the bar on their scores for a variety of reasons. Some are being considered for scholarships or honors program placements. But, the most notorious of them all are those hoping to impress or influence an office of college admission.

The results from the June SAT brought considerable disappointment as it literally changed the story for many of these students. Scholarships would not be awarded, honors programs could not be applied for and that “better score” to flash at admissions was going to be far less glamorous.

Some wondered how this could happen when the SAT is a “standardized test.” Allow me to offer a brief explanation that may shed some light on why and how this could happen. Have you ever taken a test or quiz in a class where the teacher graded on a curve? Well, believe it or not, every time you take the SAT it too is graded on a curve. Most of the time it’s hardly noticeable and it’s meant to keep the scoring standardized. But because the math section for the June SAT was particularly easy to most, it elevated most of the test-takers to the top. There-in-lies the problem — and here comes the curve!

It’s painful knowing the implications of diminished returns on tests like the June SAT. It’s truly heartbreaking when one begins to think about all the lost possibilities. But instead of focusing on how this happened or why this happened, I’d like to suggest a few lessons we might learn from this experience.

Here are a few suggestions to consider as students prepare and plan for their future SAT or ACT tests.

Plan Ahead

June is a great opportunity to take the SAT, especially since it’s in the summer while there are fewer distractions and commitments. However, it’s important to plan your testing strategy early so that the June SAT is not the ONLY SAT you take. As a rising senior, this is your last opportunity to take the SAT before submitting your applications to college. By waiting until June to take the SAT you are placing all of your eggs in one basket.

Know the Landscape

It makes sense as a high school junior or rising junior to take a standardized test “cold-turkey.” It’s a good way to get a feel for the test. Along with learning the general feel for the test, it’s equally important to know about the general content to expect on the test. Self-help study guides can be found at your local bookstore and many test-prep tutors can coach you through the content. When you are unfamiliar with the test and its content, you’ll likely find yourself with a score far below your true ability and possibly even below college admissibility standards. So, do your best to know before you go.

Practice

Whether you are an athlete, an artist or a “book-worm,” practicing trains the body and mind to accomplish the desired outcome. Grandma always used to say, “Practice makes perfect!” And, while we know perfection may, in fact, be far away, practice will bring you closer to perfect than ever before. Practicing for the SAT or ACT used to be accomplished only by taking the actual test over and over, resulting in an expensive practice strategy and the results were reported. Now, it’s easier than ever before to practice taking these tests. Both SAT and ACT offer practice tests in their official study guides. For a more realistic practice test, you may want to check out your local test-prep companies. Some of them administer the test under the same testing parameters you would find in an actual testing setting and some even provide a detailed score report for added value! Capstone Educational Consultants is one of those offering such a service.

Take it Again

Taking the SAT or the ACT several times can serve as a series of benchmarks that can assist in knowing where to focus. My grandma used to also say, “Life happens!” And she was right! When it comes to the day you are scheduled to take the SAT or ACT — life will happen. But sometimes life will throw a curveball and take you off your game. Sleep through the alarm? Miss breakfast? Can’t find your keys? Forget your calculator? Family tragedy? All of these and many others can impact your testing performance. This is why it’s important to plan ahead, know the testing landscape, practice and take it again!

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Don’t End Your Summer Without Doing This Short List

Summertime is a great time to go visit new places, meet new people and experience the world from top to bottom.  The daily routine transforms from backpacks to sandals wrapped in a care-free spirit of adventure.  It truly is the best time of the year!

But before it gets too far down the road it’s important to take note of several important things for high school students to do before the end of summer draws near.  We always look back on the day before school and wonder where in the world summer went.  It seems to slip out of our hands much like the sand did as it slid between our fingers all summer long!

Read a Book

I know, it feels like the last thing in the world to do when you’re applying that suntan lotion, but nothing could be further from the truth.  Reading a book throughout the summer is actually the best way to keep your mind engaged, experience an adventure and a drama, or learn about the man who became both Vice-President and President of the United States, but was never elected to either office.  Beyond the fun and beyond the education, it also adds to the value of your college applications!

Plan for a Test

The summer months are actually some of the best days to prepare for the upcoming ACT or SAT tests.  Students often want to take a break from studying or thinking about anything to do with school, but the truth is, it’s the best time to do it!  There are many places to assist in this preparation including Capstone Educational Consultants, but be sure to determine when you want to take that test and schedule a practice test with some tutoring!

Visit a College

Vacations and summer go together like peanut butter and jelly!  It’s tough to separate the two.  Think about your travel plans and incorporate a visit to a college campus on the way there or on the way back.  Most people visit colleges because they are trying to see if that college is a good one to consider and this is good, but sometimes it’s perfectly good to visit a college you’ve never heard of before.  This not only introduces you to something new, it provides an opportunity to get a feel for a campus visit experience, learn something new and perhaps even identify what you don’t like!

Give Back

Sometimes summer can be a drag.  Between the vacations and all that reading comes the “down-time.”  We resort to bingeing on our favorite episodes of “The Office” instead.  However, summer is the best time to give back to your community, neighbor or friends.  Is there an organization that could benefit from your volunteering?  Is there a neighbor that could be blessed by your lending a hand in their yard?  Is there a cause to which you could contribute?  Giving back is one of the best things in the world to do for others.  Try it out!  

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New Option In Test-Prep and Tutoring

There is a new option in Peachtree City and the surrounding area in test-prep and tutoring for students.  For many years Capstone Educational Consultants was best known for assisting students and families in navigating the college journey.   Capstone is now adding to its services to college-bound students the opportunity to improve their academic achievements.

Capstone Test-Prep and TutoringUnder the same brand, the Capstone Test Prep and Tutoring division is providing a Foundational Program of 6 hours, a Starter Program of 12 hours and a Plus Program of 18 or more hours of SAT/ACT Test-Prep with a reputable and pre-qualified tutor.

Families can select a number of services to meet their student’s needs.  Students can take the SAT or ACT for a test-drive by taking a Practice Test any one of many Saturdays throughout the year.  With every Practice Test, students receive a detailed Score Report to use in planning their next strategy.  There are a limited number of seats available so register early.

If your 7th-12th grader is having trouble in a specific academic subject or needs to stay on top of the subject matter and not fall behind, Capstone can match them with a qualifying tutor to reach their goals.

Here are some test-prep tips on preparing for the college entrance exam!