MAY 16TH, 2011
By A-PLUS EDUCATOR
By A-PLUS EDUCATOR
April 2011 Newsletter
In This Issue:
Category: News
MARCH 22ND, 2011
By A-PLUS EDUCATOR
By A-PLUS EDUCATOR
March 2011 Newsletter
In this issue:
Why Are College Freshmen so Stressed Out?
The mental health level of college freshmen is at the lowest level it has been in 25 years, according to a survey conducted by the Cooperative Institutional Research Program at UCLA’s Higher Education Research Institute. In the Fall 2010 survey, “The American Freshman: National Norms,” involving more than 200,000 incoming full-time students at four-year colleges, the percentage of students rating themselves as “below average” in emotional health rose. At the same time, the percentage of students who said their emotional health was above average fell to 52 percent, down from 64 percent in 1985.
Four + Three Tips = Your Child Excited About MATH!
It’s not uncommon to hear adults say that they hated math in school, but a parent wouldn’t want to convey that attitude to his child. How can a parent address this dichotomy? By following the seven easy tips below, you just might be able to get your child excited about math!
An Interview with Test Prep Book Author Charles Gulotta
For this month’s newsletter we were very pleased to have the opportunity to speak with Charles Gulotta, who has been a freelance writer for the past 30 years, in both corporate advertising and marketing. Charles is also the author of six test-prep and education-related books.
JCC Kaiserman Offers a Free College Admissions Seminar
A+ is teaming up with Hannah Bookbinder and the JCC Kaiserman Branch to offer this informative program for high school students and their parents. Date: Thursday, March 24, 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
FREE Proctored ACT and SAT Exams!
Free, no-obligation, proctored ACT and SAT practice exams are open to current students and to members of the community. The next scheduled test date is April 2, 2011.
FEBRUARY 17TH, 2011
By A-PLUS EDUCATOR
By A-PLUS EDUCATOR
February 2011 Newsletter
In this issue:
Shopping for Colleges: The Surrounding Environment Matters
As we dig through the seemingly endless piles of snow created by the latest winter blast, high school seniors are beginning to receive word back from the colleges to which they applied. The schools have looked at a student’s grades, extracurricular activities, and SAT scores, but the student and his parents have additional variables to consider when investigating prospective schools. What is dorm life like? Are professors accessible? Is the campus well-maintained? Do I feel like this school is a good match for me?
Featured Student: Amanda Bielanski, Council Rock North High School
This month we are pleased to profile Council Rock North High School senior Amanda Bielanski. In May and June of 2010, Amanda took the SAT and received the same score both times. She knew she could do better. She signed up for a course with A+, which she credits with providing a clear schedule and giving structure to her study routine. The hard work paid off, as Amanda saw a 240 point increase when she took the test again in October, 2010!
Can Comics Help Improve Reading Comprehension?
Should comic books have a place on the classroom shelf next to “real” children’s books? Carol L. Tilley, an expert in children’s literature and a professor of library and information science at the University of Illinois, thinks they should. She believes that comics are just as sophisticated as other forms of literature. In an article published in School Library Monthly in 2009, Tilley asserts that children benefit from reading comics at least as much as they do from reading other types of books. “Any book can be good and any book can be bad, to some extent,” she said. “It’s up to the reader’s personality and intellect. As a whole, comics are just another medium, another genre.”
Free Proctored ACT and SAT Exams
Mark your calendars! Due to the popularity of our free proctored exams, we have expanded the number of locations where we offer our free, no-obligation, proctored ACT and SAT practice exams.
JCC Kaiserman Offers a Free College Admissions Seminar
45 Haverford Road, Wynnewood, PA 19096
Date: Thursday, March 24, 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
A+ is teaming up with Hannah Bookbinder and the JCC Kaiserman Branch to offer this informative program for high school students and their parents.
Space is limited to 30 attendees. Call (215) 886-9188 today to register and reserve your place!
JANUARY 25TH, 2011
By A-PLUS EDUCATOR
By A-PLUS EDUCATOR
January 2011 Newsletter
In this issue:
Why Is Good Writing So Important?
No matter one’s age or profession, writing is an essential skill. Good writing (and, conversely, bad writing) speaks volumes about a person’s ability to think clearly, to analyze complex subjects, to express opinions and emotions, and, not least, to master punctuation and grammar.
How to Reduce Anxiety Before a High-Stakes Exam such as the SAT or ACT
The next time you feel nervous or insecure before a test or presentation, try this simple trick: take ten minutes to write down your feelings about it. Psychologists at the University of Chicago recently published an article in the journal Science about this easy way for anxious students to relax before a high-stakes exam.
The Good, The Bold, and The Italicized
In the January issue of the journal Cognition, Connor Diemand-Yauman, his faculty mentor Daniel Oppenheimer, and their colleagues at Princeton University published the results of their research on fonts and their effect on memory. According to the study, fonts that are difficult to read help people process and recall new information.
Free Proctored ACT and SAT Exams
Mark your calendars! Due to the popularity of our free proctored exams, we have expanded the number of locations where we offer our free, no-obligation, proctored ACT and SAT practice exams.
DECEMBER 27TH, 2010
By A-PLUS EDUCATOR
By A-PLUS EDUCATOR
December 2010 Newsletter
| Top Ten Things Colleges Look for in High School Students
A list of the top ten qualities and experiences colleges look for in applicants. This list was compiled by the Independent Educational Consultants Association, based on a 2010 survey of member consultants. |
| Net-price Calculators: Determining College Costs
Starting in the fall of 2011, the federal government is requiring all U.S. colleges to include a tool called a net-price calculator on their websites. The goal of this new initiative is to make the financial aspect of attending college more transparent and to make it easier for families to compare the cost of attending one institution over another. |
| CISV: Children’s International Summer Village
If you are looking for something unique for your child to get involved in this summer, consider CISV (an acronym for Children’s International Summer Village), a unique educational program that has been in existence since 1950. |
| Free Proctored ACT and SAT Exams
Date: Locations: St. Paul’s Lutheran Church AND Penn Wynne Library |
| Keystone Exams: A Primer
In just four years, beginning with students in the classes of 2015 and 2016, Pennsylvania will institute new high school graduation requirements that include the use of newly developed end-of-course assessments called the Keystone Exams. |
NOVEMBER 23RD, 2010
By A-PLUS EDUCATOR
By A-PLUS EDUCATOR
November 2010 Newsletter
In This Issue:
Learning Support Accommodations for College: What Parents Need to Know
Entering college is a challenging transition for all students, but it is particularly demanding for learning disabled students who have previously benefited from an IEP (Individualized Education Plan).
Featured Tutor: Christina Myers
We would like to introduce you to one of our new tutors, Christina Myers, who has been with A+ for about a year. A native of California, Christina graduated with a B.A. in music from Azusa Pacific University located in the greater Los Angeles area.
Doodlers unite! Are your notebook covers adorned with intricate swirly patterns and random graphics? Have you ever been reprimanded by a teacher for doodling in class?
FREE ACT and SAT Proctored Exams
Mark your calendars! Due to the popularity of our free proctored exams, we are once again offering free, no-obligation, proctored ACT and SAT practice exams. These exams are open to current students and to members of the community.Date: Saturday, December 11, 10:00 AM to 2:15 PM
OCTOBER 28TH, 2010
By A-PLUS EDUCATOR
By A-PLUS EDUCATOR
October 2010 Newsletter
In This Issue
Featured Student: Mariah Burke
Mariah is now in the process of applying to a wide range of colleges, including the University of Pittsburgh, Wesleyan, Tufts, Middlebury, and Brown.
Best Ways to Calm the Homework Rush
“My kid always rushes through her homework!” I hear this complaint from many parents. As adults, it’s difficult for us to understand why our children can’t slow down, take time to focus, and check their work.
Navigating the College Admissions Process: Helpful Websites
At this time of year, college-bound high school seniors often need some guidance as they finalize their list of schools and complete college applications and essays. We think you will find the following two resources helpful.
Free Proctored ACT and SAT Exams
Date: Saturday, December 11, 10:00 AM to 2:15 PM
Penn Wynne Library
130 Overbrook Parkway
Wynnewood, PA 19096
SEPTEMBER 27TH, 2010
By A-PLUS EDUCATOR
By A-PLUS EDUCATOR
September 2010 Newsletter
Should Your Student Consider a Non-traditional College or Program?
It can be a challenging process for college-bound students to find a college that is the right “fit” because the options are so wonderfully varied. There are large public universities, small liberal arts colleges, urban schools, women’s colleges, schools that specialize in the performing or decorative arts, and so on. Once you also factor in the wide array of geographical locations in the United States, it is no wonder the task of choosing a college can seem daunting. There is another sub-category of school to consider, though, and that is the non-traditional college.
A recent article in the New York Times sheds new light on old ways of thinking about what are considered “good” study habits. Such things as finding a quiet place to study, sticking to a homework routine, setting goals, and avoiding bribes may be a bunch of hogwash, according to new information.
Free Proctored SAT and ACT Exams
Mark your calendars! Due to the popularity of our free proctored exams, we are once again offering free, no-obligation, proctored ACT and SAT practice exams. These exams are open to current students and to members of the community.
Check out these two new gizmos on the market geared to students.
AUGUST 17TH, 2010
By A-PLUS EDUCATOR
By A-PLUS EDUCATOR
July/August 2010 Newsletter
In this issue:
Featured Student: Jessica Savitz
We are pleased to report on the achievement of Jessica Savitz, who completed A+’s one-on-one SAT prep program this spring. Jessica, who is going into her senior year at Council Rock North High School, took the SAT in May and got a score of 1630, which represents a 270 point increase from her PSAT score from the previous fall.
Launching of the New Common Application for College
The new 2010-2011 Common Application is now available at commonapp.org. Over 415 colleges accept this application both online and in print versions, but it is important to note that not all schools accept it.
Saving Money on College-Related Expenses
Funding a college education is a major expense for any family, yet there are many ways in which students and parents can cut corners on college-related expenses such as books, food, and travel once their son or daughter is on campus. Here are a few of our favorite frugal tips.
FREE Proctored SAT and ACT Exams
Mark your calendars! Due to the popularity of our free proctored exams, we are once again offering free, no-obligation, proctored ACT and SAT practice exams. These exams are open to current students and to members of the community.
JUNE 8TH, 2010
By A-PLUS EDUCATOR
By A-PLUS EDUCATOR
May 2010 A+ Newsletter
In This Issue:
Making the Most of Summertime College Visits
During the summer many rising high school juniors and seniors hit the road with their parents to visit colleges. Here are some tips for making the most of these visits.
Better Communication with Your Teen
John Scardina is a certified school psychologist, child development expert, and parent educator. In this interview, he reflects on ways to improve communication with our teenage children.
We are proud to announce an exciting new partnership between A+ Test Prep and Tutoring and Upper Dublin Sports Center (UDSC) in Ambler, PA!
Sign Up for Summer Tutoring and Save $110!
Participate in all of your favorite summer activities AND maintain and even get a leg up on academic skills and test preparation! Offer Expires June 15, 2010.
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