How to manage stress during the College Application Process

How to manage stress during the College Application Process

Join as we discuss four ways on how a student can be less stressed during this process.

The College Admissions Process

The college admissions process is just around the corner. Students entering their Senior year of high school have mountains of pressure on them to create an impactful and memorable application. They are already dealing with getting good grades, college entrance exams, and extracurricular activities. It can often feel like students are running a marathon without taking any breaks. Students often find themselves balancing between working diligently on their materials and their own mental health. Join us as we discuss four ways how a student can be less stressed during the college application process.

How can students manage stress during the college application process?

As a student, are you ready to take that journey through the college application process? Wait -- relax, take a deep breath. You can help yourself get through this tedious process. When you look back on this journey, you will probably laugh and remember how much you learned from this.

1. Choose Multiple Colleges

Many students have their eyes set on a particular college that they've been dreaming of. However, one day you may notice their qualifications may be out of reach for your current experiences. Disappointment is a likely outcome of this epiphany. Relax. There were 3,982 degree-granting postsecondary institutions in the U.S. as of the 2019-2020 school year, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. It’s not the end of the world as you there are bound to be great school matches for any type of student. You should research and visit different colleges that can fit YOUR criteria. Every student needs to focus on their qualifications, skill sets, characteristics, and personal experiences to find a school that matches them. 

2. Always maintain relationships with family and friends

A senior in high school can be so focused on reaching their college dreams they forget they need to REST. Without rest, one will feel exhausted and burnt out. Take some time out of your day to watch a movie, spend time with friends, and enjoy activities at your school. You should still enjoy life during hectic moments. These moments won’t last forever!  

3. Never compare yourself to other students

We're all guilty of being happy for a colleague that got something we wanted but then felt some jealousy. Never compare yourself to other people! You will be competing against yourself and that person, so you will be burning both ends of the candle. If you did not get a perfect score on your SAT, don't put your head down. As long as you did your best and got a decent score, you should be proud of yourself. There will always be another student with a better score, essay, and/or resume. Ralph Waldo Emerson said it best, "being yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” Run your own race, and don't let anything put you down. 

4.  Build a support group

No matter the number of demands for high school upperclassmen, students should find support and allies within their community who can provide trusted feedback. Your parents, friends, and immediate family members are great to start with but may not have much experience editing essays or reviewing or reviewing the thousands of schools students could apply to. Don't be afraid to ask your guidance counselor for advice on your college list, the application process, or simply look over your essays. Unfortunately, across high schools, the average student-to-school-counselor ratio is 311 students to 1. Only 1 in 5 high school students are enrolled in a school where there is a sufficient amount of school counselors. Thus, you may also choose to hire a college consultant who can dedicate themselves to your student. You don’t have to go through this journey alone!

Students should be excited about the next chapter in their life if they decide on going to college. However, getting there can be a challenging experience. Students should be proud of their accomplishments, enjoy the little things, and find support from their community. We hope following these tips will make the college application process journey a bit less stressful. 

Five Ways To Get A Job That Fits Your School Schedule

Five Ways To Get A Job That Fits Your Schedule

Finding employment in this economy can be stressful; however, there are some ways to find work. Link Educational Institute will be discussing different options to help the student find a job that will fit their school schedule.

Five Ways to Get a Job that Fits Your School Schedule

Getting a job can be hard enough, but add in a college schedule and things can be even more difficult. Between the classes themselves, homework and studying, time can be tight. However, even in a market that seems tough, there are ways even the busiest student can get work. Use this advice from Link Educational Institute to make it happen.

More Than an Application

You send off 20 applications and custom cover letters in one day and then hear back from four if you’re lucky. One of the problems here is not going in person to put a face and personality to your résumé. It’s important to not stop filling out online forms. Do a bit of research before you show up, however. You want to dress in a way that those working for the company dress, so you look like you’re a match. You also really do need to try and send off as many résumés as possible. If you feel you lack qualifications, use any experience you have. If you have completed important school projects on time and with success, list that. Do you have any experience working with a team, or being a team leader? Delineate this with as much detail as possible.

Start With The Campus

It’s easier to get to your classes if you’re already on campus, and you may be given priority as a student. Another plus is that there should be options, many of which will make excellent references later on. Almost every college campus has a café or coffee shop of some sort and most barista positions come with training. You could be a mail attendant or deliverer, or even get a coveted spot working in the library. If you have a good social media following, you might be considered as an ambassador for various companies looking for a presence on your campus. Good grades? Try tutoring, either through the school or privately.

Enter the Side Gig Arena

The key to side gigs is flexibility. The main appeal here is that they allow you to craft your work schedule around your college courses. Things such as dog walking also pay above minimum wage as well and can be lucrative as you build your business. Think about the services you can provide such as babysitting or nannying pet sitting, portrait photography, or something of the like to bring in some revenue.

If you do begin your own entrepreneurial venture, make sure you tend to some business essentials. You should create a business plan, just like any other business would do. It’ll help you sort your goals and figure out how to reach them, plus if you need seed money or want to attract investors, it can play an important role. 

Look Locally

There may be many entry-level positions around your town, some of which might not be advertised online. Look at any stores that may have a sales associate position open such as clothing, books, or other retail. If you’re athletic or have a passion for fitness, you might be able to get work at a local gym, yoga studio, or something similar. If you are comfortable multitasking and like a fast-paced environment, being a server at a restaurant, or café is a good way to earn an income.

Work Online

One way to work with your schedule and not worry about getting to work is to have a job online. Play to your experience and expertise. If you know social media, market yourself as a social media manager. If you like the idea of tutoring, but want even more flexibility, try working online. For a position that requires little experience, try data entry. You might even start a blog about an interest of yours and -- with advertising or sponsored posts -- earn a residual income. It does take a bit of promoting, so make sure you can invest time.

Similarly, you could opt to take your college classes online. You’ll cut out the time it takes to commute to and from school, and even if you snag a job with odd working hours, you’ll be able to get your coursework done with a program that allows you to work at your own pace. For instance, WGU offers an online IT degree program that doesn’t require you to log in for a class at any certain time. Whether you want to focus on your studies in the morning before heading to work or after you come home for the day, you’ll have the freedom to get your degree at whatever schedule works for you!

Apply as much as you can, look around your city, or even come up with your own side gig. There are options that can work for just about everyone, no matter your experience level.

What is a Priority Deadline? Is this important in 2021 and 2022? (Updated)

Priority Deadline

Should I apply for a priority or a regular deadline in 2021 and 2022? The Link team will answer your questions in regards to the college admissions process.

What’s a priority deadline? Is it different from a regular deadline? Is it mandatory to apply for a priority deadline? Will priority deadlines hurt your chances if you don’t apply for it? The team at Link will assist you with these questions and how to make priority deadlines work for you and your student.

How Can I Tell What Is A Priority Deadline?

In college admissions, a priority deadline is a date to complete your college application prior to “Regular Decision” application deadlines. If a student applies after this deadline, the application can still be accepted, but it will not be considered a top priority early application. Depending on a college’s review procedures, some applications submitted before the deadline can get reviewed more immediately by that specific college admissions team. For instance, let’s say a college has a priority deadline of December 15th. If you apply after this, the application will be reviewed with “Regular Decision” applications and no longer be considered “Early Action” or “Early Decision”

Are colleges accepting Rolling Admissions?

“Rolling Admissions” consists of those colleges accepting applications throughout the year as long as there are still spots available. Even though students have more time to apply for rolling admissions, priority deadlines can help a student who is sure of which colleges they want to be admitted to receive clarity if their admission comes sooner. If a student applies by the priority deadline, they will then receive their decision earlier, along with a quicker conclusion to their application process.

Comparing Priority Deadline with Other Deadlines

Many words can be used to describe the same things in the world of college admissions, so here are some definitions to bring more clarity to these deadlines.

Regular Decision Deadline: The most common application date for students to apply to a given college or university. Likely to be somewhere between early December to late January, this deadline allows the most time for students to explore schools, majors, and write their application material before submission.

Early Decision Deadlines: Generally due in early November Early Decisions “ED” will be notified by the end of December of your admission. The caveat with ED is you will be required to attend the school you are admitted into, so you will need to be very sure of your choice prior to applying ED>. Statistics generally show that students who apply by this deadline will give them a greater chance of admission.

Early Action Deadlines: Generally due in November,  Early Actions “EA” will also receive a decision from admissions a month later. However, unlike ED if the student gets accepted, they will have time to decide between other acceptances from competing schools. 

Rolling Admission Deadlines: These deadlines are meant for students who are interested in admissions during less traditional seasons. This means students have a larger timeline in which they can explore and subsequently apply to their college or university of choice. Rolling deadlines can be anywhere between early fall to the summertime. 

“Priority deadlines” are comparable to Early Action deadlines.  Some schools use early priority deadlines interchangeably with the other terminology, but it all depends on the college.  There is not much difference between the two.

What about an early decision? Priority deadlines and early decisions require students to apply before the deadline. Both can increase your chance of being accepted into a specific school.  However, remember that Early Decision means the student is required to attend if admitted. For priority deadlines and Early Action they can attend any school, they are accepted into.

Students can still get accepted if they submitted a priority deadline after the registration, however, once a regular deadline passes admission officers will not accept it. Even if you give a good excuse you won’t be able to get your application reviewed. 

What are the schools with priority deadlines in 2021?

Here are some schools that are using priority deadlines and how they compare to regular application deadlines. Schools with priority deadlines tend to be larger public schools, although this isn't always the case. If a school has a regular deadline (rolling), that means it will accept applications until it fills all the spots for the freshman class.

Who has a Priority Deadline or Early Action Deadlines?

Here is an expansive list of institutions that have these deadlines:

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Institution Deadline

Adelphi University December 1

Agnes Scott College November 15/January 15

Assumption College November 1/December 15

Auburn University December 1

Augustana College November 1

Austin College December 1/February 1

Azusa Pacific University November 15

Babson College November 1

Bard College November 1

Bay Path University December 15

Baylor University November 2

Becker College November 16

Bellarmine University November 1

Beloit College November 1 / December 1

Bennington College December 1

Berklee College of Music November 1

Binghamton University—SUNY November 1

Biola University November 15 / January 15

Birmingham-Southern College November 16

Bloomfield College November 30

Bridgewater State University November 15

Bryant University November 15

Butler University November 1

Caldwell University December 1

California Baptist University December 1

California Institute of Technology November 1

California Lutheran University November 1

Carthage College Summer

Case Western Reserve University November 1

The Catholic University of America November 1

Centenary College of Louisiana December 1

Centre College December 1

Chapman University November 1

Christendom College December 1

Christopher Newport University December 1

Clark University November 15

Cleveland Institute of Art December 1 / January 15

Coe College December 10

College of Charleston December 1

College for Creative Studies December 1

College of Idaho November 15 / January 15

College of Mount Saint Vincent November 15

College of Saint Benedict November 15 / December 15

College of Wooster November 15

Colorado College November 1

Colorado State University December 1

Columbia University January 15/March 1

Concordia College New York November 15

Concordia University Irvine November 15 / February 15

Cornish College of the Arts December 1

Curry College December 1

Dean College November 1 / December 1

Delaware College of Art and Design December 1

DePaul University November 15

DePauw University December 1

Duquesne University December 1

Earlham College November 15 / January 1

Eckerd College November 15

Elon University November 1

Emerson College November 1

Emmanuel College November 1 / December 15

Fairfield University November 1

Fordham University November 1

Framingham State University November 15

Furman University December 1

George Fox University November 1

George Mason University November 1

Georgetown University November 1

Georgia College and State University October 15

Georgia Institute of Technology October 15/ November 2

Gordon College November 1 / December 1

Goucher College December 1

Gustavus Adolphus College November 1

Hamline University December 1

Hampden-Sydney College October 15 / December 1

Hampshire College December 1

Hampton University November 1

Hanover College November 1 / December 1

HarvardUniversity November 1

Hellenic College December 1

Hendrix College November 15 / February 1

High Point University November 15

Hofstra University November 15 / December 15

Hollins University November 15

Howard University November 1

Illinois College December 1

Illinois Wesleyan University November 15

Iona College December 1

Ithaca College December 1

James Madison University November 15

John Carroll University December 1

Kalamazoo College November 1

Kean University January 1

Knox College November 1 / December 1

La Salle University November 1

Lake Forest College November 1 / January 15

Lasell College November 15 / January 15

Lawrence University November 1 / December 1

Le Moyne College November 15

Lees-McRae College December 1

Lenoir-Rhyne University October 16

Lesley University December 1

Lewis & Clark College November 1

LIM College November 15

Longwood University December 1

Loyola Marymount University November 1

Loyola University Maryland November 15

Lycoming College December 1

Lynn University November 15

Maine Maritime Academy November 30

Manhattanville College December 1

Marist College November 15

Marlboro College January 15

Massachusetts College of Art and Design December 1

Massachusetts College of Pharmacy

and Health Sciences November 1/ December 1

Massachusetts Institute of Technology November 1

Massachusetts Maritime Academy November 15

The Master's University November 1

McDaniel College November 15 / December 15

Menlo College November 15

Mercer University October 15

Merrimack College November 15 / January 15

Miami University December 1

Michigan State University November 1

Millsaps College November 15

Minneapolis College of Art and Design December 1

Molloy College December 1

Monmouth University December 1

Montserrat College of Art December 6

Morehouse Colleg November 1

Mount Saint Mary's University December 1

Mount St. Mary's University November 1

New York Institute of Technology February 15

North Carolina State University November 1

Northeastern University November 1

Northwest Nazarene University November 15

Northwest University November 15 / January 15

Oglethorpe University November 15

The Ohio State University November 15

Ohio Wesleyan University December 1

Old Dominion University December 1

Oregon State University November 1

Pace University November 15 / December 1

Parsons School of Design

(The New School) November 1

Patrick Henry College November 1

Pennsylvania State University

(all undergraduate campuses) November 1

Point Loma Nazarene University November 15

Pratt Institute November 1

Presbyterian College December 1

Princeton University November 1

Providence College November 1

Purchase College—SUNY November 15

Purdue University November 1

Radford University December 1

Randolph College November 15

Randolph-Macon College November 15

Regis College November 15

Rhodes College November 15

Rider University November 15

Roger Williams University November 15

Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology November 1

Rutgers—New Brunswick November 1

The Sage Colleges December 1

Saint Anselm College November 15

Saint John's University November 15 / December 15

Saint Joseph's College of Maine November 15

Saint Joseph's University November 1

Saint Mary's College of California November 15

Salisbury University December 1

Salve Regina University November 1

Santa Clara University November 1

School of the Art Institute of Chicago November 15

Seattle Pacific University November 1

Seattle University November 15

Seton Hall University November 15 / December 15

Sewanee: The University of the South December 1

Shepherd University November 15

Siena College October 15

Simmons College November 1 / December 1

Southern Methodist University November 1

Southern New Hampshire University November 15

Southwestern University December 1

Spelman College November 15

St. John's College November 15

Stanford University November 1

Sterling College December 15 / January 15

Stonehill College November 1

Suffolk University November 15

SUNY Cortland November 15

SUNY New Paltz November 15

SUNY Oneonta November 15

Susquehanna University November 1 / December 1

Sweet Briar College December 1

Tarleton State University March 1

Temple University November 1

Texas Christian University November 1

Texas Lutheran University November 15

Transylvania University October 31 / December 1

Trinity University November 1

Tulane University November 15

United States Coast Guard Academy October 15

Unity College December 15

University of Akron November 1

University at Albany—SUNY November 15

University of Arkansas November 15

University at Buffalo—SUNY November 15

University of Chicago November 2

University of Cincinnati December 1

University of Colorado Boulder November 15

University of Dallas November 1 / December 1

University of Dayton November 1

University of Denver November 1

University of Evansville November 1

University of Georgia October 15

University of Illinois at Chicago November 1

University of Kentucky December 1

University of Maine December 1

University of Maine at Farmington November 15

University of Mary Washington November 15

University of Maryland November 1

University of Maryland, Baltimore County November 1

University of Massachusetts Amherst November 5

University of Massachusetts Dartmouth November 15

University of Massachusetts Lowell November 5 / January 5

University of Miami November 1

University of Michigan November 1

University of Minnesota—Twin Cities November 1

University of New England November 15

University of New Hampshire November 15

University of New Haven December 15

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill October 15

University of North Carolina at Charlotte November 1

University of North Carolina at Wilmington October 15

University of Notre Dame November 1

University of Oregon November 1

University of the Pacific November 15

University of Redlands November 15

University of Rhode Island December 1

University of San Francisco November 1

University of Scranton November 15

University of South Carolina October 15

University of St. Thomas November 1

University of Tampa November 15 / January 15

University of Utah December 1

University of Vermont November 1

University of Virginia November 1

University of Virginia's College at Wise December 1 / February 1

University of Wisconsin—Madison November 1

Ursinus College November 1

Utica College November 15

Vanguard University of Southern California December 1 

Villanova University November 1

Wabash College December 1

Warren Wilson College November 15

Washington College December 1

Washington & Jefferson College January 15

Wells College December 15

Western Carolina University November 15

Westminster College November 15

Westmont College October 15 / November 1

Wheaton College October 15 / November 15

Wheaton College November 15

Whittier College December 1

Whitworth University November 15/January 15th

Willamette University November 15

Wittenberg University December 1

Wofford College November 15

Worcester Polytechnic Institute November 1/January 15

Worcester State University November 15

Yale University November 1

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What happens if you apply before or after the priority deadline? 

We recommend students apply for a school’s priority deadline if they are able to present strong application materials at the time. If a student goes that route they not only have a chance to get into a specific college but also receive financial aid information sooner. The only real negative effect for a student who applies by the priority deadline will be experienced if the student does not take the time to create a strong case for admission.

However, a student can still apply after the priority deadline and their application will be accepted with “reviewed with Regular or Rolling Decision deadline. With the masses being reviewed at the same time, the competition will be fierce with the number of applications increased during this time. Try to make priority deadlines by dedicating time to your application materials early and often. 

College Application Consulting

For families who need assistance managing the college application process - we’re here to help! By following Link’s detailed year-long plan will help students become competitive applicants to a list of schools the student decides. They work alongside a consultant to comprehend and then complete the application process. For questions regarding packages, contact us.

What Should My High School Student Be Doing During the Second Quarter of the Calendar Year?

What Should My High School Student Be Doing During the Second Quarter of the Calendar Year?

Join us as we discuss what junior and seniors should expect during the second quarter of the calendar year.

We previously discussed how junior and senior students should prep for the first quarter of

the year. As a reminder, we are talking calendar year, not school year, so April, May, and 

June. In April, Senior students who just received their acceptance letters are making

a commitment to that one special school. Come May, Junior students are taking AP tests or

IB Exams and, in June, students are preparing to build up their resume come Summer. Join us

as we discuss what juniors and seniors should expect during the second quarter of the

calendar year.

What remote activities can high school students do during the summer?

As the school year winds down, students, particularly juniors and seniors, will have their

hands and to-do lists fully. The summer months are an especially ripe time to build a Junior’s

resume, interests, or experiences. a Junior’s resume, interests, or experiences. Here are

various options those students should consider. 

Visit Colleges

With the pandemic potentially forcing us into a virtual setting, most campuses have

adapted their ability to provide virtual college tours. It’s always a good idea to converse with

individuals in the student activities, financial aid, and admissions department. 

Prioritize College Applications

Get started on requesting recommendation letters from former teachers. Students

should approach teachers that they have a good rapport. For seniors, examine your plan to

move on or near campus. Alternatively, if you will be a commuting student, you can plan out

your Fall calendar.  Figuring out ways to earn and save money. 

Attend a Summer Program

For juniors, if there is a major or career that interests them, attend a summer program

that focuses on that interest. If the student is interested in film, enroll in a virtual art

program like the Tisch School of Arts from NYU. Besides gaining new skills in their field, they

can hone various others such as time management, interpersonal, and self-support.

Leadership Initiative Projects

Students who want to have a great non-traditional addition to their resume should look into

taking initiative on their own passion project.  Whether you want to create impactful art, 

music, entrepreneurship, or a volunteering project, sign up for our Leadership Initiative

Project.  Adding this passion project is sure to impress college admission officers who review

your application. Plus, our students often continue their projects as they move towards

their higher education and personal life goals. 

Can I still take the standardized exam during the second quarter of the calendar year?

In our first blog, we discussed how colleges have moved toward test-optional and test blind

policies. Students need to seriously debate if they should spend time on a great new project,

or on the potential of taking the SAT or ACT. In the past year many students who expected a

“normal” testing schedule and who studied for many hours were unable to register or find a

facility to take the exam. Rising seniors can take an exam as long as they feel they are taking

the appropriate steps to be safe. Here are some published test dates for the SAT and ACT

Exams during the second quarter.

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SAT Test Date Registration Deadline SAT Scores Available

May 8, 2021 April 8, 2021 May 21, 2021

June 5, 2021 May 6, 2021 July 14, 2021

ACT Test Date Registration Deadline ACT Scores Available

April 17, 2021 March 12, 2021 April 27, 2021

June 12, 2021 May 7, 2021 June 22, 2021

July 17, 2021 June 18, 2021 July 27, 2021

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How Trade Schools Can Help Produce Business Owners

How Trade Schools Help Produce Business Owners

Learn how attending a trade school can have its advantages.

Image via Pexels

How Trade Schools Help Produce Business Owners

More and more students are opting to attend trade schools instead of traditional four-year universities. While this may surprise you, there are clear benefits to those who decide to learn a trade. Not only do trade schools generally take less time and cost less to complete than most colleges, but they can also empower students to become entrepreneurs with their own businesses.

If you’re considering a trade school for your future, read the following information courtesy of Link Educational Institute.

The Link Educational Institute offers tutoring services that empower students of all ages to achieve academic and emotional success. Call 909-766-0405 for a free consultation!

Learned Trades Often Turn Into Businesses

One of the reasons trade schools help produce business owners is because learning a trade often becomes a business opportunity. Instead of simply teaching students to become employees, trade schools help students develop skill sets they can take anywhere. Examples of trades that often turn into businesses include the following:

• Welding

• Plumbing

• Electrician

• Massage Therapist

• Barber

• Mechanic

These trades allow students to work for themselves in the future, not just other people. As Lifehack points out, this alone is loaded with stellar incentives, like making your own hours, choosing with whom you work, and self-fulfillment.

Less Student Debt Equals More Opportunity

It's no secret that staggering student debt payments are a hardship for many young adults entering the workforce. Compared to a four-year degree, learning a trade is about one-fourth of the cost. Considering that the average student loan takes around 20 years to pay off, trade school graduates spend much more time debt-free than their degree-wielding counterparts.

This means when you get out of school, you can quickly make the jump to funding your venture. The most common type of business financing through commercial lenders is debt financing. This type of financing looks at people's personal credit and debt-to-income ratio to see if they are likely to pay the loan back. People who have lower student loan payments, or none at all, are in a better position to receive the funding they need to start their business.

Some Trades Are Recession-Proof

Another advantage of learning a trade is that most of them are in demand no matter what shape the economy is in. Electrical and plumbing services, for example, are always needed. While people may shop less during a recession, requiring many companies to lay off employees, core trade services still experience demand that makes them virtually recession-proof.

Business Formation Is an Important Consideration

There are different types of business entities, and choosing the right one is an important step for new business owners. The type of business structure selected determines important factors such as the owner's personal liability, tax opportunities, administrative costs, and other relevant details.

Many entrepreneurs choose an LLC, which stands for limited liability company. This provides certain advantages, such as limiting personal liability, tax perks, and flexibility for growth. When establishing an LLC, it’s important to follow the state of residence’s guidelines. While new business owners can research how to file on their own, there are also affordable online services that can make the process quick and easy. This can be a relief for someone overwhelmed with the idea of starting a new business.

Entrepreneurship Begins With Early Education

Proposify notes elementary schools rarely encourage entrepreneurial thinking. Often, grade schools are focused on teaching children how to fall in line instead of thinking for themselves. Many of the traits found in successful business owners are discouraged and met with punishment.

Teaching children about entrepreneurship starts with choosing the right foundation for their education. It is important for parents to research schools available in their area to determine if the curriculum is in alignment with their values.

For generations, most children have been told to do well in school and attend college if they want to achieve success in their professional life. The world has changed, however, and a four-year degree no longer ensures that alumni will land a good job. Between student debt and competition for jobs, the traditional model is failing students who believed that college was their best option. By attending a trade school, however, students can set themselves up for taking control of their lives by starting a business.

What Leadership Activities Can I Develop On My Own During High School?

Activities to put on a student’s resume

Join us as we discuss potential activities that may help students get accepted into the college of their choice.

In the last year, colleges have shifted admissions standards at a rapid pace. As the adoption of test-optional or test blind policies becomes more prevalent, admissions officers are losing a traditionally important piece of student data to make their decisions. Additionally, with the Coronavirus bringing an unforeseen turn of events, high school students should be encouraged to think outside of the box if they want to impress college admission officers with their extracurricular and co-curricular activities. Luckily, opportunities await for those students who choose to take initiative and show their leadership through unique passion projects. Join us as we discuss potential activities that may help students get accepted into their college of choice.

Leadership Initiative Project

It is important for us to note that a passion project can be started by any student at any time.  One soft skill students should have a firm grasp of is leadership. Honing one’s leadership skills before college can help a student find confidence as they prepare to enter higher education. Our Leadership Initiative Projects will help high school students explore their passions and strengths to unlock abilities and experiences they can add to their resumes. Regardless of the circumstances, students should not procrastinate anymore to get themselves ready for the next stage of their lives.

Community Service

All of us have an impulse to help our communities and fellow neighbors- help is much needed, especially during the pandemic. We can all strive to become a better person by helping each other. Luckily, this will help you grow personally while adding services to your resume that will impress college admission officers. 

Community service activities can be as easy as delivering groceries to neighbors in need. Contact close friends, relatives, or next-door neighbors to see how you can serve them, whether it is delivering medicine or teaching elderly folks to use their new electronics. Doing these small acts of kindness can help an individual feel solace and relief after a rough year.

You can also organize your community to donate a charitable gift to a non-profit. Times are tough for all of us and it is understandable that you need to handle your own finances first. However, nonprofits are struggling to continue keeping their doors open and it is not an easy task. Think about organizing a donation fund for an organization you feel passionate about. No matter how big or small, any donation will count. 

We do not know when the pandemic will end, but one thing is for sure, we can all do a little more to thank the essential workers in our communities. Employees of grocery stores, hospitals, and restaurants need encouragement and support. Take action by collaborating with your peers to collect and drop off items such as personal protective equipment. Don’t have many funds? Coordinate a letter-writing campaign with your local hospital to support patients and healthcare workers alike. There may be restrictions on what they can accept so be sure to connect with the appropriate staff members prior to coordinating

Internships

Having an internship on your resume can help a student stand out during the college application process. However, they first need to find something that is of interest to them. Here are some unique routes that students can take:

Fashion - Students interested in design, branding, marketing, and the fashion industry can explore their interests through the Nordstrom Fashion Ambassador. This internship allows students to get behind-the-scenes access to fashion projects and events. 

TV/Film- If a student is into acting, directing, or producing, the opportunities for internships are endless. Find these by searching “high school internships” + [Enter your local TV Studios] while discussing your plans with a guidance counselor or family. Plus points are given to students who attend virtual networking events. You never know if you can run into someone that has ties to the film industry.

Politics- A student that is interested in politics can most certainly get professional experience by volunteering with local officials. If a local election is taking place, reach out to someone at city hall who can connect you with the candidate or their representatives. Likewise, if it is a national election, then contact your politically affiliated clubs to see if help is needed to promote their candidate through social media, updating a website, or calling constituents.

Health- A student who wants to major in health or medicine can learn the trade early by interning at a health clinic, dentist, or community health organization. Additionally, research programs during the summer can help a student gain some valuable professional experience. Medical Immersion Summer Academy is one great internship that students should keep their eye on.

Academic Teams

Despite the pandemic, students can still partake in an academic club or olympiad. Before, students developed clubs based on subjects such as mathematics or history. Now, subjects have broadened so you may even be able to be the founder of your own organization. Students can develop a robotics club where robots are designed and used in competition. Coding is another option. Developing personal and professional web pages can help a student learn, not only the technology but also have fun.

Creativity

Now is the time for a student to hone their artistic or creative skillset. However, artists can run into a brick wall when creating artwork; follow these ideas to continue that passion. Students will often be required to submit art portfolios for their college application process. Start whatever creative project you’ve envisioned right now. It is a good idea to keep a record of each piece as you’ll be able to show your growth time.   

Technology

Technology is definitely not going anywhere. If a student wants to pursue technology as their career, one option is to take an Advanced Placement- (AP) course on Computer Science. Knowing the specific terms and designing web pages will help a student gain confidence, plus it will help them earn credit for that college course. However, students can learn plenty on their own through trial and error. Consider pairing up with a local entrepreneur and creating their website or setting up their digital marketing program.

Social Justice Activities

Some students have the desire to help others by advocating for equality based on nationality or race; others want to focus on the environment. Students can think about Social Justice in various ways including, but not limited to, environmental justice, racial justice, political reform, gender equality, etc.

Inform your practices by listening to podcasts- Find various podcasts that discuss the same objectives you are looking to promote. A student should focus on both sides of an argument by listening to another person's ideas and learn the vocabulary and communication methods of those who advocate for their cause. The more informed a student becomes, the more able they are to be the next Martin Luther King Jr. advocating for racial equality or Cesar Chavez advocating for environmental justice. 

Become the founder of a social justice club- Students can plan virtual meetings to discuss current events and methods to combat injustices around their own community. Expand the message through different channels including through social media or creating the organization’s website. Focus on promoting the club to peers by tagging them and recruiting them to join their mission. Students can also choose to contact individuals from the Chamber of Commerce, non-profits, or larger social justice groups in the area. Connect with community partners and learn about their objectives and how your group can collaborate with them. 

However, do not expect everything to be perfect. 

Prepare for criticism- No matter what goals a student has, they will deal with dismissive people and those who may oppose their cause. Be prepared for this. Students cannot let emotions overtake them and should learn how to communicate their arguments calmly and effectively. Listen to criticism and be empathetic. Make the changes that can progress your goals. 

Students that plan out their objectives, learn from other people, and listen to constructive criticism can be a great communicator or influencer no matter the subject matter. 

Leading a team 

Students may not be able to participate in many club activities during the pandemic, however, various options are still available to clubs. One is leading the club virtually. Find a club you are particularly passionate about and then engage users by coming up with activities in a virtual setting. For instance, if a student loves basketball, several options can come to mind, such as leading a virtual skill seminar or planning socially distant practices. Regardless of the club or cause, if a student wants to improve their public speaking skills, then join the Youth Leadership Program from Toastmasters International. Honing this soft skill can help a student succeed in the long run. 

What should my high school student be doing during the first quarter of the year?

How can I prep myself?

If you follow these suggestions, your chances of getting accepted into college will be great.

This first quarter of the calendar year can be an interesting time for high school students and is different from the rest of the school year. January is spotted with deadlines for a Senior’s college applications, February can start some Junior’s attempts at standardized testing by March many acceptance, rejection, and deferral letters are received by upcoming graduates of the class of 2021. These students have had to adapt their college plannings during this unforeseen turn-of event. With many colleges moving toward test-optional or test-blind deciding on extracurricular activities or whether to take a standardized exam plays a role in what the rest of your calendar year will look like. Join us as we discuss how high school juniors and seniors can handle the first quarter of the year. 

What remote activities can high school students do during the first quarter of the year (January, February, and March)?

2021 will be different from other years with activities going remote due to the coronavirus pandemic.  In previous years, students were able to develop their resume by doing community service, having part-time jobs, and/or internship opportunities. Activities like these are now on hold because of the social distancing practices brought on by the pandemic. That does not mean you should slack off, in fact, students can work to differentiate themselves in a college pool by showing what you have accomplished during the pandemic. Students should be asking themselves how they can adapt activities to a virtual environment or what new activities can they take on in the comfort of their own homes? These activities can consist of delivering groceries to a neighbor in need or doing remote work for a non-profit with their marketing. 

Athletics can also play into account. Even though the varsity basketball season is on hold, students can improve their skills by participating in a virtual skillset seminar. Better yet, maybe your team can create a virtual skillset seminar for younger players. Taking an initiative like this can show admission officers you have developed leadership skills and are making an impact on your community despite the limitations of the pandemic. Whatever activity you plan on doing, do it with passion and drive. Let us help you get started with our leadership initiative project.

Should I take a standardized exam during the first quarter of the calendar year? How can I prepare?

The first three months may be different from the remainder of this year with colleges moving toward test-optional and test blind policies. So students might be asking themselves, “Should I still take the test?” The answer is that it’s really up to the student and their admissions strategy moving forward. Give us a call if you find yourself needing some help with your admissions strategy! If students are planning to take a standardized exam, here are the testing dates for the first quarter of 2021.

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SAT Test Date Registration Deadline SAT Scores Available

March 13, 2021 February 12, 2021 March 26, 2021

ACT  Test Date Registration Deadline ACT Scores Available

February 6, 2021 January 8, 2021 February 16, 2021

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Be creative as you figure out ways to prep yourself for your exam of choice. We highly recommend forming a virtual study group through Zoom and Skype with peers to inspire each other and hold everyone accountable. Also, reward yourself or others when you reach a particular achievement. Students can reward themselves for increasing their scores by watching a good movie or treating themselves to a nice meal. Others may just want to improve academically and that is its own award. No matter how you motivate yourself, consistency in your prep can make a world of difference. Make sure to email us if you need to set up a plan for your test prep.

Can I retake the SAT or ACT exam?

Absolutely. However, there’s a slight difference between this quarter from the remainder of 2021- we don’t know if some students will be able to take the test. With several areas still adhering to “Safer at Home” orders many students will be completely unable to find a testing center, but for those who may be in safer conditions, here are additional exam dates: 

(These dates are subject to change)

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SAT Test Date Registration Deadline SAT Scores Available

May 8, 2021 April 8, 2021 May 21, 2021

June 5, 2021 May 6, 2021 July 14, 2021

ACT  Test Date Registration Deadline ACT Scores Available

April 17, 2021 March 12, 2021 April 27, 2021

June 12, 2021 May 7, 2021 June 22, 2021

July 17, 2021 June 18, 2021 July 27, 2021

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If you decide on re-taking a test, then make sure you have some of these materials:

• Test Prep- These valuable texts can train for areas of the SAT or ACT you are unfamiliar with.

• Practice Exams- Aristotle once said, "for the things we have to learn before we can do them, we learn by doing them." Practice, Practice, Practice! Practicing past exams with appropriate timing multiple times will help you gain the confidence to take on either test.

• Find an educator that can help- If your student needs assistance with college prep, contact us for a virtual one on one consultation. Students that retake an exam can get a better score and possibly grants and scholarships. We suggest that you keep up-to-date with your guidance counselor and track all your activities. 

Benefits Gaming Provides During Homeschooling

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Benefits Gaming Provides During Homeschooling

For many parents today, homeschooling wasn't something they had planned on happening prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, as more children are learning from home, or as they move between home and school as viral spread necessitates, the challenge for many parents is providing additional curriculum features to supplement what children might be missing from the traditional classroom. That's where gaming comes in.

For one-on-one private academic tutoring that empowers your child to become an active participant in the learning process, contact the Link Educational Institute by calling 909-766-0405 or completing this form.  

An Opportunity for Learning Beyond the Classroom

For the last few decades, video games have received bad press. However, it's not necessarily the game makers' fault. Video games have age ratings, and parents should pay attention to those ratings and make sure their children's experiences are in sync with their emotional and maturity level. 

Also, every child should have limits on the hours spent per day playing video games, and few people will argue otherwise; but, the University of Arkansas points out that as long as video games aren't the only recreation a child has, and they don't interfere with family time, they can actually help your child grow.

Gaming can provide learning opportunities for children regardless of where they attend school. Parents are discovering that video games have the ability to pique a child's curiosity in areas they might never have before. For example, a child who previously had no interest in history might want to know more after playing “Valiant Hearts: The Great War.” Other games, such as "Minecraft," offer opportunities to develop problem-solving skills.

Gaming Can Inspire Varied Interests

As parents research what games are best for their children, they should keep in mind that every child is different. The child's own interests should determine the games they play in. While some children may display an aptitude for history, others may take an interest in the earth and issues related to sustainability.

Listen to your child for cues. When exposed to subjects that interest them, you are providing them with tools to develop a successful future with that subject, or at the very least, the knowledge they may not otherwise have felt implored to gain. If your child shows a keen interest in varied subjects, this could be a cue that your child is gifted.

Examples of Enjoyable Yet Educational Games

While some games combine built-in quizzes and learning, the challenges are fun. For example, the "National Geographic Challenge" mixes easy and difficult questions so every child who plays can combine winning with learning. This game is great for children who have expressed an interest in history and geography. Multiple people can play for a family game night.

Another game that expands historical knowledge is the "Nancy Drew Interactive Mysteries." In addition to history, your child will also learn about different cultures, which makes it a great tool for teaching about diversity.

For children who need some help with math or are already good at it, "Zoombinis" can expand their problem-solving skills. Each level gets more challenging, and children must use logic to evade the evil Bloat and make their way to Zoombiniville.

The Importance of Keeping It Fun

There are so many great games that on the face don't appear to teach skills, yet NPR explains that because they provide your child with a challenge, they automatically do. With that in mind, offer your child a variety of games. When they need a break from schoolwork, give them 30 minutes with a learning game before they have to hit the books again.

As families rely more heavily on the internet for everything from work, school, streaming entertainment, and games, be sure you have faster internet to handle everything you have going on in your home. Lag can take enjoyment from gaming.

If the internet has done one great thing for learning, it's that it's lessened the need for space-eating and costly books. If you grew up with encyclopedias, you can appreciate that statement a bit more. The next time your child wants to break for video games, consider what your child might be gaining from the experience.

Dyslexia and Learning A Foreign Language In Middle and High School- A Personal Perspective

Learning a Foreign Language

Guiding parents on how to help a child with dyslexia pass a foreign language class.

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Do you know that your dyslexic child doesn’t have to take a foreign language in Middle School? High school is different. Two years of a foreign language are required. Considering that dyslexia is a disability associated with language-learning, it is not surprising that many dyslexics find learning another language difficult, and passing the foreign language high school requirement may be a daunting task.

 Although there are many types of dyslexia and no two individuals have all the same symptoms, about 20% of students are dyslexic, and have difficulties breaking language into its component sounds. This makes decoding words, which is an essential part of reading, quite difficult.

My Experience with Middle Schoolers

When I taught Second Language Learners in middle school, they chose to take Spanish and improve their language skills. Spanish has many similar roots to English and has a predictability factor, and students may enjoy this, although it is still difficult. I think they are proud of their heritage and they know they’re pleasing their parents. Students benefit from grammar rules which may help them learn English. Some parents of autistic students had their students skip a foreign language, but students with an IEP can skip the foreign language in middle school if you advocate for them. (Need help advocating for your child?)

High School is different. You know your child already struggles with reading English, and now are very concerned that she has to learn another language. What will this year look like? Your child is already scared and frustrated. How can you help her now?

Get The Dyslexia Assessment

First, be sure your child has an assessment for dyslexia so you can request accommodations (something that may be offered to all who need it) or modifications (something not offered to all.) High schools are not necessarily ready for this. Having a dyslexia assessment, you can easily request more time on tests, or fewer questions on assignments (if the same question is correct, the student shouldn’t have to repeat 5-7 questions of the same type.).

The language program the teacher uses should be multisensory and have a structure to it. I have seen middle school Spanish teachers put Special Education students through hell because they didn’t have a structured program. Parents couldn’t support their students because they couldn’t even follow the assignments.

Being a student that has dyslexia is a great challenge. Speaking a foreign language can be intimidating. When it comes to the time to learn modern foreign languages at school, many feel the ordeal of mastering literacy skills all over again is not worth the time and effort. A student that has dyslexia will have to work extra hard to pass this class. They not only have to speak the language but also memorize and write it. However, with time and patience, the student can learn a new language.

It is important that parents speak with the high school counselor before your child’s freshman year as a high school student. Try to meet the foreign language teacher(s) the prior school year at the open house and see what projects were completed. Ask if the teacher has worked with dyslexic students before. Also, find out if there is a possibility of the school waiving the foreign language requirement for an alternative, and I’ll share more on that later, but you must be careful when considering this option as most colleges and universities would want foreign language coursework prior to the application. You really need to start early if you want to consider a waiver as the process can be difficult.

Be sure the student selects a language of interest. I took Spanish in high school, but French was my true love. In college, I pursued French. I had two very different professors. One had French as her primary language and failed me. I just couldn’t meet her expectations and I was very intimidated in the class.  The other professor’s primary language was English. She taught me well, and I earned an A in her class. She also inspired me to visit France in my junior year of college.

Not all modern foreign languages are created equal. Some, like Danish, French, and even English may be difficult for students with dyslexia while other languages like Spanish, German and Italian may be easier to learn. For instance, it is generally believed that Danish speakers swallow their consonants. This makes it tricky for learners to hear exactly which sounds have been spoken. Looking at a word on paper, you will not necessarily know how to pronounce it. The same could be said about the French language where certain words are pronounced the same way but have different meanings. So be sure your high schooler selects something of interest and be sure you meet the teacher and understand and like her teaching model. You can also talk to other parents whose children had this teacher.

Did you know you could ask your school if the child can learn the culture rather than language? Culture is taught in middle school as well as the language but see what this would look like in high school. Cultures such as Mandarin which doesn’t have an alphabet should be considered. Also, in learning Chinese, the meaning of sounds could be matched to a specific character. This uses a different part of the brain for processing than an alphabetic language. Recent studies have shown that dyslexic students have fewer difficulties in learning to read and write in character-based languages.

If the foreign language is offered in summer, this is preferred so the student can focus. Then there won’t be so many distractions with other courses. You could also provide extra motivation for your child and if possible, try learning the foreign language along with him or her.

As a parent of a dyslexic student, you want your student to succeed in school. Given the number of challenges associated with language learning and dyslexia, it is worth engaging the services of a native speaking tutor to provide additional coaching for your child.

Adapting the method of teaching your child to what best suits him/her can make a huge difference for dyslexic kids. Undeniably, you have worked hard all these years up till now, and it doesn’t end. Don’t be discouraged, remember that everyone struggles with learning a second language.

You are a champion! Perhaps you’ll surprise yourself to see that too can learn that foreign language too! When your child had trouble reading you went above and beyond by helping him learn the material despite the barriers he faced. The same can be said for learning a foreign language. Remember, one of the reasons why languages are so hard is you’re not just learning a language, +you are learning how to learn a language as well!

You are a champion, and your child can achieve success, especially with the online environment we are in right now.

To learn more about dyslexia support or about Ed Code related to dyslexia, click here.