Tips for Students
Research Colleges like a Pro
By Guest Blogger on April 22nd, 2014
No matter where you are on your college exploration path, there is a tool that can help you with your research.
The National Center for Education Statistics offers a free college research site that does exactly what its slogan says: “Find the right college for you.”
Using the College Navigator Search Options on the left-side panel of this helpful website, you can search for information about colleges in multiple ways. This blog post walks you through a few features you might find handy.
Get started by visiting the College Navigator online.
Test Anxiety
By Amy LaGrasta on April 9th, 2014
Anyone can get test anxiety. In fact, it is normal to feel some stress before a test. The anticipation and nerves you feel can actually help you perform at your peak. However, for some people this normal stress is much more intense. Students who worry a lot in general may feel more anxious at test time. Those who worry about getting every answer correct may be even more prone to test stress.
Students who eat right, get plenty of rest, and get ample play and exercise time are better equipped to combat test anxiety. These are important factors all the time, but it’s most important to get all three the day before a test.
Practicing these few tips prove to be valuable skills not only when dealing with test anxiety, but in many of life’s situations: Continue reading
Giving Yourself a Helping Hand
By Guest Blogger on March 17th, 2014
I’m not really good at math. Once I understand the general concept, I’m completely fine, but whew…sometimes it takes me a little while to get there. This is definitely an area in my life where I continually have to battle problems and find solutions (literally). At times I find that I really don’t “get” something, so I keep re-reading the same information. Then I go over it again and again. Sometimes I just find that the explanation still doesn’t click with me or with my learning style. At times like these, I find that I essentially have two options: I can keep going over the information in the hopes that it finally clicks, or I can ask for a little help.
As a teenager, my first reaction to asking someone for help is often “Nah, I’ll take care of it.” Sometimes, that’s fine; we shouldn’t depend on others to solve our problems for us all the time (plus, it’s human to fail; we can’t overreact every time an obstacle pops up and blocks our path). Continue reading
Secret Sauce to Online Schoolwork Motivation
By Guest Blogger on March 10th, 2014
So, have you figured out all the perks of going to school online yet? Obviously, you can do your school work any time of the day that suits you, but it is the “anywhere” perk that I find awesome. My first two years of college I spent at a physical college campus. The second two years I went to college online. This allowed me to work full-time during the day (much like some of you go to school during the day) and then complete my college work at night and on weekends.
Maybe this isn’t something an FLVS staff member should admit, but hey, I’ll be honest – most Saturdays, the very last thing I wanted to do was schoolwork. Can you relate? Continue reading
Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month
By Amy LaGrasta on February 24th, 2014
Dating violence is defined by the National Center for Victims of Crime as controlling, abusive, and aggressive behavior in a romantic relationship.
It can include verbal, emotional, physical, or sexual abuse. Teen dating violence runs across race, gender, and socio-economic lines. Anyone can be a victim of dating violence.
One in three teens reports knowing a friend or peer who has been hit, punched, kicked, slapped, or physically hurt by his/her dating partner. Both males and females are victims, but boys and girls are abusive in different ways. Girls are more likely to yell, threaten to hurt themselves, pinch, slap, scratch, or kick. Boys injure girls more severely and frequently. Continue reading
Get Ready for College!
By Guest Blogger on January 6th, 2014
Now that you’ve survived the New Year and enjoyed some time off from work or school, it’s time to hit the ground running and tackle the world!
While you are in a motivated mindset, let’s make sure you or your student(s) have everything needed to be college-ready.
The Federal Student Aid Office has many resources to help students prepare for college. One of those resources is a handy checklist.
Start by downloading the College Prep Checklist.pdf (other accessible versions and resources are available here) and check out the Your “To Do” List organized by grade. Continue reading
Celebrate Successes in 2014!
By Amy LaGrasta on January 1st, 2014
Every January, about 45 percent of Americans resolve to accomplish a new goal or reform a habit with a New Year’s resolution.
Unfortunately, only about 8 percent are successful in keeping their resolutions.
Did you stick with your resolution for 2013?
What are your goals for 2014?
Asking for Volunteers
By Guest Blogger on December 6th, 2013
Sometimes old “adages” are just that: old.
In hopes of pursuing new horizons in an ever-changing virtual world, maybe it is time we consider a few new theories for guidance.
A few days ago, a colleague and good friend brought up an old saying regarding volunteerism: “Always volunteer when asked, but never ask to volunteer.” Continue reading
Multitasking: Technically Impossible
By Guest Blogger on November 1st, 2013
These days it seems like everyone is always trying to multitask.
It’s certainly possible to fold laundry while talking on the phone, or ride a bike while listening to music, but it just doesn’t work well to attempt two tasks that involve brain power at once.
Why? Our brains can hold only five to nine things in their short-term memories, so when someone’s trying to accomplish two dissimilar tasks that both require some level of thought and attention, that’s where the “multitasking” ends and the switching from one task to another begins. And when information doesn’t make it into the short-term memory, it can’t make it into long-term memory to be recalled later. Continue reading
Take Action to Stop Bullying
By Amy LaGrasta on October 8th, 2013
As the following statistics show, bullying is widespread and touches someone we all know. It is increasingly important that parents and educators talk to their students about bullying.
Be aware of the signs of bullying, pay attention to your students, and check in frequently to ensure their safety. One of the best ways to prevent and reduce bullying is to talk about it. Continue reading