Summer Jobs Give You a Head Start on the Real Thing!

Ice cream cones, swimming, going to the beach; there is no question that students love summertime!  But, even as you look forward to summer’s slower pace, it’s time to get moving on finding a summer job or internship!

A job or internship can teach you much needed employment and job searching skills, along with the responsibilities of being part of the adult world. Future employers – even those offering internships – will look for students who took the initiative to hold jobs and internships in high school and college.  A job or internship can also help you determine what types of work or fields interest you.

What kind of job/internship should I apply for?

Think about fields or jobs that you’ve always dreamed of doing.  Are you artistic?  Perhaps a job at a design studio – even as a receptionist –  would give you the opportunity to interact with designers and learn more about the type of work they do, and what skills are needed. Also consider what jobs could help build your resume.  

While at your job or internship, try to get the most out of it. Ask lots of questions; if you don’t understand how to do something, this is the time to learn.  Take advantage of every opportunity, such as attending staff meetings to learn how business works!

Also start to develop more financial independence; budget the money you earn and save a portion for college.  

Where to look:

·         Online job sites, such as Indeed.com, as well as listing sites such as Craig’s List.

·         Ask  your school counselor

·         Use social network sites such as LinkedIn and Facebook.

For more guidance on high school courses and activities, finding a college that’s a good fit, financing, deadlines and more, call Klaar College Consulting, 301-834-6888. Charlotte@cklaar.com.

 

Senioritis... the Disease College-Bound Students Should Avoid

Already accepted to college? Beginning to lose interest and focus in school? Be careful not to catch senioritis!

Senioritis- a disease effecting high school seniors, especially during second semester; identified by laziness, lack of focus, repeated absences, and a strong desire to graduate.

Senioritis can sneak up on you faster than you think! Here are some tips we give students for avoiding this dread condition: 

Take a strong course load

Don’t take a relaxing course load just because you can. This is your time to shine!  Many high schools only require three years of all the basic subjects (math, science, history, etc.) and four years of English.  Go above and beyond and take a fourth year of the quality courses.  Try to avoid taking study hall or three different gym classes to get out of studying your senior year.  Admissions officers view the hard work and dedication you put forth late in the game as a good indicator of how you will perform in college.

Grades matter

Use your senior year effectively.  College acceptance is based on senior year performance. 

Colleges look at your grades for the first three years of high school.  What many students don’t realize is that grades during their senior year are just as important!  Colleges require you to submit your first quarter, mid-year, and end-of-year grades.  If you have a downward trend in your grades, colleges will notice and take that into account in determining your ultimate acceptance, your financial award, and whether you acceptance is rescinded.

The college application process is competitive and there are many students on a wait-list ready to take your spot.  Your grades senior year can make or break you.  Don’t become a red flag and give colleges a reason to revoke your acceptance.

Tired of high school classes?

Take a course at a local community college.  This is a perfect way to demonstrate your intellectual curiosity, plus you can earn college credits in the process.  Not a bad deal!

Time Magazine also has a great article about combatting senioritis: http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1191831,00.html  

High School Students: Time to Get Back to Work

Summer is over and it is now time to get back to school. No matter what you have done in previous years, this is an opportunity to reinvent yourself and become the student that you want to be. As you get closer to graduation, you need to begin thinking about college or a job. That means that it is time to grow up and recognize that your parents will not be there to hold your hand and fight your battles for you. What you have learned and how you approach your responsibilities will determine the college who will accept you, the job you will get, and the success you will have. No one else can do that for you or shield you from the realities of life. Knowing this should encourage you to begin to do your best work, take the most challenging classes, take your work seriously and, most of all, feel the thrill of success that you know you have earned.

If you are a high school senior, it is not too late to find a college that will want you. There are many great colleges that will help you learn and grow. If college is your goal, don't let anyone discourage you from trying no matter what your high school record looks like. There are schools that will help you get the education you want, if you are willing to do your part. We are here to help you find the college that will fit your style and your family finances. Don't give up the dream!

PSAT is in: Now What

Many families have received or are about to receive the PSAT results for their 11th grade student . Most high schools present the results to students in their English classes and ask that the score report and booklet be taken home to parents. Unfortunately, most families will have no idea what to do with it. Read on for some suggestions.

1. Consider the score: Over my 15 years of practice with high school students, the most consistent response I get to "How did you do on your PSAT?" is "Awful!" No one explains to students that they still have almost two full years to go before the end of high school and that the number score is much less important than the percentile into which they fall.  For example, if a student sees a 58 on the Math section, he or she assumes that this is not a good harbinger for the SAT. If the student looked at the percentile for this score, 76%, she or he would have realized that this percentile puts him or her in the top 24% of the country. Further analysis of the section would show that the student completed all questions without using the strategy of leaving out questions for which at least one answer could not be eliminated. This lack of strategic approach to the PSAT made the student lose points for incorrect guesses.

2. Understand what to do with the booklet: The booklet is the actual test and the student can compare it to the right and wrong answers on the score report. By doing this, what was answered incorrectly can be examined to determine if it was a careless mistake or if the student does not understand a concept that is necessary to do better on the SAT. Once this analysis is done, the student should make a list of the missed questions that s/he does not understand and go to the appropriate teacher for an explanation of the concept so that there is an understanding of the concept or how to do the calculation.

3. Know that the PSAT is not identical to the SAT: The discrepancy between the two tests lies in the Writing section. There is no essay on the PSAT. The PSAT Writing section is simply a grammar test. Therefore, students who do not understand grammar will do quite poorly on this section of the PSAT. On the other hand, the student may have respectable essay writing skills in the sense that s/he can make a point and support it in a written argument, which will raise the Writing score on the SAT. This is not to say that grammar is unimportant; it is very important. Unfortunately, we have not stressed grammar in schools for many years and students are bearing the brunt of this decision. I advise students who want to do well to get a basic grammar book and study. Ask your English teacher to help you if you don't understand. Practice writing a standard five paragraph persuasive essay and apply this skill to the SAT.

4. Realize that if you don't read regularly, you will not do well on the Critical Reading section: Reading is a skill that must be developed over time. When students proudly announce to me that they "Hate reading" or "Never read," I suggest that they do 20 minutes of reading each night before bed and build up to at least 45 minutes of sustained reading in order to build the skill. I really don't care what is being read, just that the student is reading. Just as muscles will be weak without working out, reading will be weak without practice. Unless the student reads regularly, s/he will not be able to read quickly or with understanding and this will have a profound effect not only on the SAT score, but also on the likelihood of success in college where there is so much reading to be done often without feedback except for the test on the material.

The PSAT is a great tool but, like many tools, few understand how to properly use it for maximum effect. I hope that you will use it correctly and enhance your skills before the SAT.