Stressful events like standardized tests, final exams, and presentations are a routine part of your academic career. Since stressful situations can’t be avoided, you have to find ways to deal with them that work for you. Most people experience some form of anxiety leading up to stressful events. The main cause is often being or […]
Author Archive | Norman Prince
3 Major Changes to the SAT
After the June 2021 test, the SAT will undergo significant changes. The changes focus on streamlining College Board’s suite of offerings by discontinuing what they consider redundant options and investing in greater flexibility and availability. Learn how these changes could impact you and influence your plans for applying to college. 1. The optional essay has […]
4 Reasons to Take the SAT or ACT, Even If You’re Only Applying to Test-Optional Schools
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, many colleges have instituted test-optional admission policies. Many schools are extending these temporary policies, some are considering them as “pilot programs” to become fully test optional, and others, who had already been considering these policies, have used the pandemic as an opportunity to instate the policy permanently. To clarify, […]
Feed Your Head: The Best “Brain Foods” for Academic Success
Standardized tests and long school days are mental and physical marathons— you should prepare in every way to perform your best. While most Americans do not “feed their heads”—instead reaching for what is quick, convenient, and tasty—students should opt for “brain foods,” which improve mental clarity, alertness, and performance. These “brain food” suggestions enable you […]
Concentration Tips for Learning at Home
Students are now doing most of their learning at home, but it can be a difficult transition for those who are used to in-person classes. Here are some tips to help you adjust to learning at home, improve focus, and increase productivity, so you can achieve your academic goals. 1. Minimize distractions. Choose a quiet […]
Comprehensive Guide to the Best Free Open Educational Resources for Online Learning
Open Educational Resources (OER) are learning materials that are free, either because they are in the public domain or have been specifically created with an open license. Open resources allow anyone to legally use, adapt, and share them for free, giving students all over the world access to high-quality learning materials. OERs can include textbooks, […]
ACT vs. SAT: Five Factors to Consider
Virtually no colleges prefer the ACT or the SAT. Preparing for and taking both tests is quite time-consuming and not necessarily productive. There are several reasons why you might prefer one test over the other: your test-taking experience general differences between the tests your subject matter knowledge To make the best decision, weigh the following […]
The Top Resources About Paying for College
Figuring out how to pay for college can be tricky. Luckily, there are plenty of resources out there—blogs on financial aid, scholarship search sites, governmental and private sources, and more. It can be difficult to know what resources are trustworthy and most helpful. Here’s a list I’ve compiled of the best resources on the web […]
Pre-reading: A Time-Saving Strategy That Improves Results
Pre-reading, sometimes called previewing, surveying, or selective reading, provides an overview or big picture before you read. It will improve your concentration, comprehension, retention, and efficiency. It should be used before almost all reading and note taking. While pre-reading, you will also want to actively think about your background knowledge of the subject. Books A […]