Preparing for the SAT

School can be an incredibly stressful time in your life. Preparing for the SAT is just one of the most anxiety-fueling occasions. Continue reading for our top tips on how to do your very best.

Practice

The SAT is structured in a unique way, so practice is the only chance you have of really getting to grips with that. How it is set out, what the questions are asking of you and how to answer them effectively are all important things to learn. Taking practice and past tests as well checking through mark schemes to see what is expected of you are important. The majority of the test comprises of multiple-choice questions with four possible answers. 

Find your flaws

Knowing the areas in which you struggle will help you to better prepare for the SAT. If mental math is a weakness of yours, you can plan to spend longer practicing that skill than calculator math, for example. Creating a timetable of revision can really help to ensure you have set aside plenty of time in the run up to the test. Although working on the topics that are most challenging for you is important, do not neglect the others too.

Consider a tutor

For some people, SAT test tutoring is a great option. This can be personalized to your own learning style, needs and interests to allow you the best route forward possible. Tuition allows you to have one-to-one instruction entirely focused on you. For some, speaking out in class can be a daunting prospect. This way, you will be able to ask questions without fear of ridicule. 

Work hard in class

Although there are many things that you can do outside of school to improve your chances of succeeding, your best chance is to work hard at school. Listening in class and behaving well are essential. Taking accurate notes will allow you to revise effectively once at home. It is also imperative that you complete all homework tasks expected of you.

Create a calm revision space

When you are revising at home, having a calm, quiet area will increase your chances of success. Although you may feel that you are able to work with the television on or music blaring out, it is very easy to become distracted by noise elsewhere. Getting together with your friends is fun and might seem like a good way of getting some extra test practice in, but, in reality, it is rarely successful. The chances of ending up gossiping about something that happened in school, rather than focusing, are high. If you do not have an area at home where you can work in peace, try somewhere else. Your school or public library might have somewhere you can use. 

Take regular breaks

It might seem like a good idea to cram all your revision in. However, this rarely works for students. Giving yourself regular breaks to allow you to exercise, breathe in some fresh air, eat and drink properly, and socialize is vital. Engaging in your usual hobbies, such as gaming,cosplayand sports, is imperative too, although try to limit the time you use on these.

My Higher Ed Tech Road Journal

Over the past few months, I’ve worked with, spoke with, and visited with several different higher ed tech companies. Obviously I’ve worked in this space myself for the past nearly three years, but through this experience, I’ve garnered a unique perspective on our greater ecosystem in higher ed.

Coming up through traditional campus based student affairs, I had no idea what was out there. Learning more about all the different organizations that help support the mission of institutions was helpful to appreciate how important these partnerships are. Done right, they augment our work with students. They don’t replace it.

With that being said, there are other valuable lessons I took to heart as I met with various folks in higher ed tech that I hope can resonate with other campus based professionals.

Equipped with the Best Tools

I’ve found it to be far more ubiquitous in the ed tech world to have the best tools to support our work. It helps with everything from collaboration, communication, expenses, HR, analytics, and student support. It seems like it is just a different mindset for the most part. Nothing is preventing campuses from using most of these tools (I know privacy can be a big concern). A lot of them have catered to colleges, there just needs to be the willingness to invest the time and energy in implementing it. We can often experience a lot of inertia with our processes, especially in higher ed. Now more than ever with the disruptive demographic challenges and competitive marketplace for students, we need to make sure we’re doing the best work we can to recruit and retain students. We also need to be doing this in the most efficient way possible with modern tools on our side. Take a look at tools like Workday, Slack, Salesforce, Presence, Roompact, Zoom, and AdmitHub.

Remote, Flexible Work

Something else that is fairly fundamental to ed tech teams is a remote first policy. I currently work fully remote for a company that is mostly remote. It’s been a great perk to have this flexibility to work wherever and however will allow me to be the most productive. This is a topic I’ve written about before and it is even getting notice from places like Inside Higher Ed. I won’t belabor the point again here, but we really need to consider this more so that we can attract and keep high quality talent.

Job Landscape is Wide Open

The last point I’d like the emphasize is that for anyone looking to work in higher ed but having trouble finding a good fit, there is a wide array of different jobs out there now. So many organizations want people with formal campus based experience to bring that perspective to their team. Whether it is working directly with campuses for support, doing trainings, marketing, or back end admin support, there is a place for everyone in higher ed tech. I’ve greatly appreciated still being able to support student success while being able to work in a far more healthy environment for me.

I think about this topic a lot and have for a while. I wrote as a contributor to the Defectors series a few years ago which has been a great insight into the experiences of other folks in this space. Something else to note here is that just because you leave a campus based role doesn’t mean you can’t or won’t ever go back. I know of some people who have gone back and forth. You can certainly contribute valuable knowledge coming back that you perhaps may never been able to garner otherwise.

I hope that we can get to a place where the ed tech space is discussed in graduate programs. I hope we get rid of “vendor” as a dirty word at conferences. I hope we can aspire to be a more adaptable field that can measure up to the expectations our students have of us to be digital, nimble, accessible, and responsive. I hope everyone who wants to stay and work in higher ed can find environments that appreciate them and jobs that fulfill them.

I’m always happy to discuss this further with anyone interested. Please connect with me if you have questions!

Thanks for stopping by!

A Guide To Helping Modern-Day Students Succeed

If you work in the world of higher education then you know that your job role extends beyond simply teaching a syllabus. You have a duty to help young people (or older people, in the case of mature students) to gain the necessary skills to succeed in life. Essentially, you’re helping young people to enter the “real” world and make something of themselves. That’s no easy task, despite what some people say about teaching being straightforward. And if you want to make sure that you do your best as an educator in the modern world then this guide should give you some pointers.

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Teach them to think outside the box.

These days, going to university isn’t quite as extraordinary as it used to be. Increasing numbers of young people make the decision to pursue university education after sixth form. People are no longer going to stand out in the job market simply by having a degree. The best way to make sure your students separate themselves from the crowd is for them to… well, separate themselves from the crowd. University is an opportunity to think outside the box. It’s an opportunity to try new things and gain new skills that’ll prove useful in the stages that come after graduation. You need to teach them to expect more of themselves.

Obviously, you can’t do everything for every single student. The whole point of university is that it’s a learning curve. Your students have to learn to do things independently, but you have to guide them to that realisation. Give the minimum reading requirements, but suggest that they read beyond your requirements. Encourage them to come up with their own talking points in essays (if at all possible in the type of subject you teach). And you could start thinking outside the box too. Maybe you could look into trips for college students. Travelling is an opportunity to teach your classes in a more vibrant and engaging manner than is possible in a classroom. You need to help your students to expand their minds. Get them to do more than the bare minimum. They need to learn to think independently if they want to be successful in the world that comes after university.

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Be a better teacher.

There’s always more you could be doing to learn and grow in your profession. If you want to help students succeed in the modern day then you have to be a modern teacher. In other words, you need to keep learning to make sure that your knowledge is up to date. The world moves forward, so your lessons need to move at the same pace. Otherwise, you’ll be giving your students knowledge that isn’t going to help them in the real world. After all, if you’re teaching them things that are already old then they’ll be even further behind when they graduate in a few years. If you want to be a better teacher then keep learning. Make sure you’re giving every single student the tools they need to succeed. Beyond that, it’s up to them.

Starting a Killer Society at Uni

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Student societies are part of university life, and for some students, they are a way of getting to know other people while being involved in something they are interested in. They are usually started because someone notices a niche where there is not one, and are run by the students themselves.

Applying To Set Up A Student Society

You cannot just decide to start a student society and say to people this is it, we are here. You have to have your idea approved and to get the OK you need to have at least 10 other people who would become members. The decision makers at your university will also be looking to see how you intend to move the idea forward. How will you let other students know about it?  Will you consider getting posters printed for the society by a company like www.printsafari.com or you will be relying on social media and word of mouth to get your new society known, which is fine, but students are often out and about and a big bold poster will be seen. Cover all of the bases and you’ll get a better turnout.

Getting Your Team Together

Most universities will want a society to have a present, a vice present, a secretary and a treasurer. When you are starting out you will probably appoint the first batch of officers yourself and you should try to aim for a range of talents. Look at your weaknesses and find students who have these as a strength as you should never think you can do everything yourself.

Funding The Venture

When it comes to funding you should run your society in the same way as you would run a business, and doing so will give you some insight into running a business if that is something you’d like to do after graduation.. Keep strict records of membership fees as they come in and any expenses that have to be paid out. As a student society registered with your university, you can often use venues and facilities free of charge and some of them have a startup fund they give to new societies that can be as much as £100.

Getting Students Interested

There are lots of ways to get students interested in your new society. If your society is TV or film themed you could hire costumes to attend events like the ones at https://metaphysicalfantasy.wordpress.com/. All four team members could go as characters from Star Trek, for example, as long as there are no arguments over who wears the big ears to be Spock.  You could dress up as Alan Titchmarsh and Charlie Dimmock if you are starting a Gardening Society or be Gordon Ramsey for a Hell’s Kitchen Society. The choice is endless and so are the ways of letting people know you are then and when your first meeting will be.

Letting Go

So, you start a successful student society, and the skills you have had to use can be useful when you leave university. In fact, most employers are very impressed because a student has run a society and it could tilt the balance between you and another candidate for the job you are after.

You will have put a lot of effort into the society you founded and it should not close just because you are leaving university. The officers will need to be replaced and that should be dome with a democratic vote among the members. It is not easy to stand by and watch someone else take over something you started, but you should be proud of yourself that it is still around to pass on.

Everything You Need To Know About Education Fee Planning

A very wise man once said that “education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” You’d be a very brave person to disagree with the late, great Nelson Mandela.

In the modern day, the importance of education is paramount. We all want our children to have the best opportunities possible in life. We want them to have the chance to be whatever they want to be. Unfortunately, without proper education, the probability of this is very slim. The only drawback is the fact that education can prove to be extremely expensive at present and this is where education fee planning proves to be pivotal.

It seems that the costs of college and university courses are increasing by the day. In order to be able to afford these, you need to plan in advance and plan effectively. This is exactly what education fee planning entails. It ensures that your child has the freedom of choosing a school of their desire and reaching the dreams they have in their mind.

But, why not just rely on government loans? Why save for something that may not even happen? After all, your child may not want to seek further education. Why set aside money for something so far into the future when you have more pressing matters? These are all fair concerns and so let’s look at why it is so important to start education fee planning today…

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There is no telling what your child may want to be when they grow up. They may have their heart set on something now, however, it’s usually not until they are 17 or 18 years of age that they really make up their mind. Don’t you want to ensure that they have the opportunity to become whatever they desire? By planning successfully you can be certain that your child is not limited in relation to their career aspirations.

The sooner you start planning the better. You will have more time at your disposal to locate ways of accumulating funds. Plus, you may have to pay for more than the course, like educational travel. In addition to this, you will also give your investments the opportunity to grow and develop. Therefore you will reap greater gains in the end.

Investing in education is something that is more than likely going to result in ROI (return on investment). After all, when your child bags an excellent job they are going to be making back much more money than their education cost. Just make sure they pass it in your direction!

It is also worth considering the benefits your child will gain as well. After all, a good education offers much more than mere money. They will gain from increased self-esteem, more extra-curricular opportunities, better teaching and learning resources, enhanced study and career opportunities.

Last but not least, if you embark on a strategy of effective education fee planning you can also ensure that less pressure and financial strain is put on yourself. You will be able to save for your child’s future without impacting your current quality of life or other financial commitments and goals you have ongoing.

Is The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme The Best Route Into Uni?

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You may have heard of the International Baccalaureate. This is a term that is becoming more and more common in schools all over the world. The International Baccalaureate Organisation offers four educational programmes for children between the age of three-years-old and 19. The International Baccalaureate Diploma programme is designed for those between 16 and 19-years-old. In this post, we will provide further information about this programme and the benefits that are to be gained by choosing it, so you can determine whether or not this is the best route for you to get into university.

How does the IB Diploma Programme work?

The IB Diploma Programme is split into six groups and you must select six subjects. You need to choose one subject from the first five groups. The last subject can be chosen from group six or you may be allowed to choose a substitute from one of the other groups. The groups are as follows…

• Group 1 – Studies in language and literature. This will typically be the native language of the student.

• Group 2 – An additional language. As well as choosing a second language, you could opt for Classical Greek or Latin.

• Group 3 – Humanities and social sciences. This includes everything from history and geography to psychology and philosophy.

• Group 4 – Experimental Sciences. Not only does this incorporate physics, biology, and chemistry, but also sport, exercise, and health science as well as design technology.

• Group 5 – Mathematics. There are various levels of difficulty to choose from.

• Group 6 – The arts, including film, visual arts, theatre, music, and dance.

In order to be awarded the diploma, there are three core requirements you must fulfill aside from passing the examinations for your subjects. These are as follows…

1. Creativity, action, service (CAS) – Requires students to become responsible members of their community by dedicating three to four hours of their time per week.

2. Theory of knowledge (TOK) – This is a critical thinking course. Students must complete an essay of 1,200 – 1,600 words.

3. Extended Essay (EE) – Students must complete a 4,000-word essay on a topic from one of the six subjects they are studying.

What are the benefits of the IB Diploma Programme?

• This programme is recognised in most countries, with recognition growing by the day. It is accepted by all universities in the UK. In fact, this, combined with the ease people have when they go to find student accommodation and the opportunities in the UK are why so many international students prefer to come here.

• The programme provides a balanced mix of different subjects. This opens the door to more opportunities for students in the future.

• Students aren’t only evaluated via examination, but also by essays and they can enhance their grade with the CAS portion of the programme.

• The programme prepares people well for university because it encourages critical thinking, which is often not the case with other curriculums.

• Students are evaluated over a two-year period.

The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme is certainly worth considering. There are a lot of benefits to be gained by going for this course and a diploma is one that will be well respected and highly regarded. However, A Levels are still very much worth their salt too, so this is not a decision to be made lightly.

Is College The Right Choice For You?

College is a very traditional next step. You’ve finished high school (or your teen has!) and now you’ve got to make a big decision about your future. Most of all, you want to be qualified for the career of your choice, and you want to give yourself the best chance of getting hired in your chosen field - so a degree it is, and becoming a student for the next three, four, or five years seems completely natural in most people’s minds.

But it’s not the right choice for everyone out there. There’s a lot of things you can do in this world, and there’s all kinds of people with different tastes and goals that take full advantage of this. So if you’re feeling a lot of doubt over your college prospects, here’s a couple of questions to ask yourself.

To make it to graduation, you’ve got to be happy about your choices… and if college isn’t right for you, don’t force yourself! (Image)

What are Your Main Goals?

And how can you achieve them, if you don’t want to go to university? You can graft for years at different jobs, gaining all kinds of experience. You can go in for an apprenticeship or a traineeship, and get paid whilst you learn, which is something a college student would never be able to do. You could even turn your attention to the online world and all the ways it allows you to make money, if that’s one of your main motivations.

No matter what your goals are, you need to be sure that college isn’t the only way to achieve them, before you decide to give it a miss. We hear a lot about college graduates who can’t find jobs and are saddled with thousands in debt, and most likely will be for the rest of their lives, so be sure you’re in a position to earn more than them and proceed faster than they will. Because otherwise, it’s just another bad decision you might not have thought through properly.

Try to Find the College of Your Dreams

If the idea of heading to college is daunting only because of the logistics, then there’s a good chance you’re simply headed off to the wrong place, or you’ve chosen the wrong course. So now’s the time to put that right, and to make sure you’ve got a full ride of academic enjoyment ahead of you.

Using something like college consulting services can really help you out here, and they can help you to bulk out your college applications properly, to give you the best chance of getting into your top choice. We’re always worried about what our parents will think, but this is your life and your career - make sure you’re giving it the boost it needs on your own terms and conditions.

Just because college is all you hear about doesn’t mean you actually have to go to one. So making sure college is right for you before you commit to it.

How to Prepare Your Teen For College

Waving goodbye to your kid when he or she is off to college is hardly any point; they’ll be back soon enough so that you can do their laundry and cook up a proper meal for them.

There is a lot you can do to avoid having your college student over so that you can parent them, though, and while it’s always nice to see them, it’s also good to know that they know how to take care of themselves.

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It’s just what we’ve been trying to teach them their whole life but some things need a bit more repetition.

Here is a handful of the most important stuff you should make sure that your teen knows before it’s time for college so that you can feel even more confident that they’ll manage on their own.

First: Start by teaching them how to cook

Ever asked your kid to prepare dinner for the family, just to see them heat up a frozen pizza? Chances are that this is what they’ll be living off unless you put some serious effort into teaching them how to actually cook.

They might not enjoy it, in the beginning, but when there’s no other option than to cook up a meal, they’re going to be very happy that you taught them how to make it tasty. Plus, you’re also ensuring that they’re not spending all of their money on takeaway.

You can always pay them a visit on campus as well, though, to see how they’re doing; have a look at lodging near Princeton University and keep in mind that most universities offer great hotel accommodation to visiting parents.  

Start the cooking lessons by teaching them how to make cheap and healthy meals. Eggs, chicken, and canned tuna should be their go-to food in order to save money - and teach them how to shop in bulk when they’re on a budget as well.

Here is a handy article on student meals you can forward to them so that they won’t be bombarding you with texts on how to know when the rice is done.

Next: Teach them how to budget

As their parent, you probably know very well if your teen needs a crash-course in budgeting. If they were painfully saving their allowance and sniffing at their siblings’ reckless spending, they’re probably going to do just fine.

Most teenagers are, however, not that good at budgeting and saving money - especially not when there are so many fun things to do around campus. Help them to set up a proper budget for themselves before heading off, and advise them against going wild with their credit card.

If they should mess up once in a while, there are many lessons to be learned - and it’s much better to learn these lessons sooner rather than later.

As long as you’ve taught them these things as well as how to be decent human being around others, your teen will be just fine. Try not to worry too much and remember that you can always visit them to make sure they’re eating properly as well.

How to Find Your Dream Career

Millions of people make a decision every year trying to find out what they would like to do for the rest of their lives. Unfortunately, jobs for life are getting rarer every year, and industries change faster than any other time before, due to the speed of communication and computer technology, you can reduce your risks and make better decisions about your future if you test drive some of the programs and look through your strengths and weaknesses. Find a few tips below.

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Consider Your Interests

The first thing you will need to take into consideration is your interest. If you love animals, a related course will make you happy and improve your work-life balance. In case you are a people person, you might consider studying at the best hospitality management school and finding your true calling dealing with customers and tourists.

Check Out Industry Growth

It is also crucial that you check out the industry statistics and predictions. If you don’t want to change your career in a couple of years and waste time and money on your education, you will need to know that there will be a demand for your skills and knowledge in the industry by the time you finish your education. There are plenty of great statistical sites and government publications that will tell you about your potential earnings after graduation and your long term prospects, too.

Focus On Jobs AI Can’t Replace

Many jobs are threatened by the development of artificial intelligence technology. If you are looking to make sure that robots will not replace you, it is important that you choose your future career accordingly. Nurses, doctors, or creative professionals, teachers are less in danger from technology. At the same time, you are going to have a job as a game developer for a long time to come.  

Test Drive Courses

In case you are still sitting on the fence and can’t decide which career path to go down on or which college or university to choose, you might want to test drive courses. There are plenty of opportunities online and at the campus to get insider information on open days and special events, so you can see what the institution has to offer.

Shadow People Already In the Job

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Sometimes you love the course, but you are not happy doing the job after you graduate, To avoid this problem, you might want to shadow people who are already working in the field, so you can make an informed decision before you would pay your college fees and spend years of your time. There are plenty of volunteering or apprenticeship programs that don’t require a degree, so you can see the potential jobs you will be doing after graduation.

If you waste time and money enrolling to the wrong course, you will find it hard to come to terms with the change and the disappointment. It is always better to plan ahead and do your research, so you can be sure that your chosen career path is in line with your personal mission.

Thinking Of Driving An Uber To Fund Your Studies? Some Things You Should Know First

There’s no better path to a brighter future than education. Higher education can imbue you with the skills, knowledge and resources that you need to achieve the career of your dreams or even take a bite of the entrepreneurial apple. But like anything worth having, studying is hard. Not only must you navigate the perils and pitfalls of full time learning, you must also navigate the perils of maintaining a home, paying the bills and keeping the roof over your head and the food on your plate. This is hard enough for those with a full time job, but when our studies limit the time in which we can earn, it gets a whole lot harder.

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In the gig economy, many drivers who own their own vehicles have chosen to dedicate their free time to becoming an Uber driver, and in recent years this has become an especially popular money making opportunity among students. Given the flexibility and the fact that it can potentially pay better than most student jobs, it’s not hard to see why so many students flock to it. But if you’re considering making some money this way, it’s essential that you keep the caveats in mind.  

Make sure your car is up to the job

Uber driving is not for those with diesel vehicles. Diesel vehicles are marathon runners rather than sprinters. Being an Uber driver inevitably involves short journeys at relatively low speeds. This means that over time your Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) will become blocked with soot and won’t get the opportunity to purge (which usually happens automatically when travelling at high speeds at 2000-3000 rpm). This can result in a total breakdown of your vehicle and a very expensive repair.

If, however, you’re one of the many students driving electric or hybrid cars, you have the ideal vehicle to earn a crust as an Uber driver.

Never drive while tired, angry or hungry

When you’re driving to fund your studies, it’s easy not to treat it with the gravity that it deserves. But make no mistake, if this is to be profitable for you, your behavior on the road must be unimpeachable. That means that you never get behind the wheel unless you are well fed, well hydrated, well rested and ready to turn on the charm. Driving while angry, tired or hungry can cause you to make poor decisions on the road which could compromise your safety, the safety of your passengers and your reputation.

Don’t sacrifice speed for safety

If you’re trying to make money as an Uber driver, it’s vital that you aren’t tempted to race yourself to the finish line. Sure, your passengers want to get to where they’re going quickly… But they’d rather get there in one piece. Driving for speed can make you sacrifice safety. You could wind up with a poor review or even visiting www.DuffyLawCT.com/state-crimes/traffic-crimes/ to seek legal counsel for the dangerous driving claim made against you. Slow and steady always wins the race when you’re an Uber driver.

Bring your winning personality to work

Finally, your tips will make all the difference between making okay money and making great money from this side hustle. That means you bring your winning personality and your biggest smile to work for each and every passenger, even when you’re not feeling as sunny as you could on the inside. You might just surprise yourself with how much better wearing a smile makes you feel.