5 Tips All Colorado Students Should Use When Choosing Their College

It’s that time of year when prospective students are eagerly awaiting acceptance letters into their favorite schools. No doubt you have applied to more than one college and if you have several attractive offers, you want to make the right choice. It can be really difficult to decide between schools, so here is a little guide on how to go about making the right choice.

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Make a list, check it twice

Write down all the things that you are looking for in a school in order of importance. The most important option should be the course you want to take so that should go on the very top of the list. Follow this with other factors and facilities that you find essential to the success of your academic career.

The second half of the list should contain the considerations that you would like to have in your future school. These could include things like size; some students prefer the intimacy of smaller colleges while other students like big schools because they can meet new people.

Take a holistic approach

When finding the best fit for you, consider not only your academic needs, but also your personality and interests. You need to find a school that suits you in order for you to excel. You should include factors like location, sports, your budget, the facilities provided by the school, the lecturers who will be giving your chosen courses, course requirements, etc.

Now you can compare schools in terms of how many boxes they tick on the ‘essentials’ list and on your ‘wish’ list. This helps you to accurately select the best school for you.

Ask all the questions

By the time you are ready to make your choice, you should have visited each of your colleges and you should know everything you need to know in order to make your decision. Do your research on each school so you know exactly what you will be getting.

Set a deadline

There’s nothing worse than waiting in limbo, so set yourself a deadline for making your final decision. Take enough time to carefully consider your options, but don’t get bogged down in indecision. Set a date, make a decision and then more forward with your planning.

Communicate

Your family, friends and teachers are all excited and invested in your decision. While you may feel pressure from different quarters to make a decision, don’t shut down communication. Listen carefully to advice, then take time to make your own decision. Communicate with your councillors, parents and teachers so that they can help you come to the right decision for you.

Choosing the right college is a tough decision and it will affect the next four years of your life, so take your time and trust your instincts.

If you find this list helpful, please pass it on . . .

Good Luck!

If you have any further questions, please give us a call at 720-638-1373

Is Your Colorado Student Skipping School? Here's what to Do

Almost every student plays truant from time to time. Perhaps they feign illness or pretend to go to school only to end up skipping class. When this problem becomes chronic, your student could be facing bad grades or failed semesters. The key to dealing effectively with your child not wanting to go to school is to really understand the problem.

Find the cause

There are a number of reasons why your student may not be attending school. Perhaps they are overwhelmed and are not coping in class, or perhaps they have been bullied and are afraid to go to school. Anxiety from these kinds of issues can lead to physiological symptoms like stomach ache, headaches and nausea.

You can also explore other possibilities like not getting along with the teacher or being under the influence of drugs or alcohol. It’s vital that you understand the underlying causes of your child’s absenteeism if you are to effect a plan of action that can help them to overcome their difficulties.

Getting answers

Of course the first person you should talk to is your student. It’s important to remain calm and patient, even if they seem reticent to tell you. Remember that if they are feeling overwhelmed or if they are being bullied, they may be too embarrassed or afraid to tell you.

Speak with their teachers who have an excellent insight into what happens during school hours. Your child’s teacher and help to unravel the root causes of absenteeism and provide insight as to who may be influencing your student. Educators have excellent ideas or suggestions on how to solve the situation too. You should also speak with friends and other family members to make sure you understand the situation and see the whole picture. Chances are if the absenteeism is chronic, there may be more than one cause.

Plan of action

When formulating a plan of action to overcome the difficulties your student is experiencing, you need to include them in the discussion. When they are part of the planning, they are far more likely to be part of the solution.

Together, you should outline a very clear plan of action so that they feel supported and so that there is a structure in place and they know what’s expected of them. Address the underlying issues directly and get their input on how best to handle the situation. For example, if they are being bullied, they may not want you to get involved. In this case, you should discuss coping strategies and ways to deal with bullies.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help

Extraordinary circumstances call for strong measures, so don’t be afraid to ask family members for help. You can also rely on the teacher and principal for added support and help with formulating a realistic plan for overcoming difficulties. If your student feels overwhelmed, get a tutor to help them with their studies. If anxiety is an issue, speak with the school councilor about ways in which to offer support or getting counseling that will your student to cope.

4 Cherry Creek School District Students Earn Perfect ACT Score of 36

Four Cherry Creek School District students were among 17 students statewide who were honored Nov. 14 by the Colorado Board of Education for earning a perfect score of 36 on the ACT taken by every high school junior in Colorado last spring.

Those students are:

•    Rick Laoprasert, Cherry Creek High School

•     Nate Gibby, Cherokee Trail High School

•    David Mathews, Cherokee Trail High School

•    Susan Niederhoff, Smoky Hill High School

Students in the Cherry Creek School District consistently score above the state and national average on the ACT. The district average ACT composite score for 2013 is 21.6. The Colorado average is 20.1 and the national average score is 20.9.

Cherokee Trail seniors David Mathews and Nate Gibby both took the test more than once, but didn’t do any other significant preparation.

“I took the test twice before and got a 35 both times,” said Gibby, who hopes to attend Stanford and study finance and investment banking. “Once I got a 35, I set my goal for a 36. I knew I could do it.”

Mathews, who plans to study business at Stanford, said he was “kind of surprised” by his score. “It was great! The best part was the odds of getting a perfect 36,” he said. “There were 788 students who got a perfect score out of 1.6 million students who took the test.”

The ACT is a standardized exam taken by high school students to gauge their college and career readiness. Students are assessed with four multiple choice subject tests in English, reading, math and science. All four-year colleges and universities in the U.S. accept the ACT for the college admissions process. Students often see an increase in their score the more times they take it, but few attain a perfect score.

If you would like to know how we can help increase your score. Please give us a call for a free consultation today! 720-441-2772

Community News - Recognizing great things in our community

Community News - Recognizing greatness in our community

Highlands Ranch High School

Highlands Ranch High School has been recognized for the Colorado Department of Education's John Irwin's Award for excellent performance and the Governor's Distinguished Improvement Award for outstanding growth scores.  It is very rare for a high school to receive both awards. Congratulations Falcon staff and students!

Mountain Vista High School

Mountain Vista student journalists garner national award.

"Eagle Eye" news magazine honored with Pacemaker award

http://www.denverpost.com/dougco/ci_24742864/mountain-vista-student-journalists-garner-national-award

Valor Christian High School

Valor seniors were given a challenge in their Senior Seminar Class—take $5 and turn it into as much money as possible with the goal of helping those in need locally. The seniors did just that; they turned $5 into almost $5,000! They helped more than 15 non-profit organizations including Samaritan’s Purse, The Gathering Place, The Jimmy V Foundation and Children’s Hospital. Way to go seniors – Valor is proud of you!

The 7 best New Year's Resolutions for Colorado High School and College Students

Knowing how to start the New Year is important, especially as a high school or college student in Colorado. Here are the 7 best New Year's resolutions to make this your best year of school.

1. Learn to handle stress.

Don’t spend all day in the library, depriving yourself of social contact. Go out for walks, take short frequent breaks, and talk to your friends. Remember that there is more to life than college, and it will soon pass. Do something that makes you happy every once in a while. If you’re feeling overwhelmed because of your course load, take a look at the number of units you’re taking and talk to your advisor.

2. Stop procrastinating.

Set a weekly study schedule and stick to it. Write down everything that you have to do in order of importance, and complete tasks accordingly.  You can break down large tasks into smaller parts and set a deadline for each, which also works when studying for an exam. Once you divide a large project into more manageable parts, it will seem less stressful and easier to do. Also, consider joining a study group, which will hold you accountable for studying on time and help you understand the material better.

3. Meet new people.

College is the perfect time to meet new people and try new things. Take the initiative to hang out with the people you seem to click with. Put yourself in places where potential friends are, and then meet and talk to them. By keeping an open mind, you can make some lifelong friendships. You can meet people at the dining hall, your favorite study spot, or any other place that you continuously go to where you begin to see the same people. 

4. Talk to your professors.

Go to their office hours, or talk to them before or after class. You can talk about anything covered in class that you’re struggling with, or something that you loved. This will show your professor that you care about the class and are making an effort, and you may end up with a higher grade. Plus, you never know when you might need a reference letter from them in the future.

5. Sleep more.

Getting a good night’s sleep is one of the best things you can do for yourself and for your grades. Use earplugs and sleeping shades if you need to, and make sure to turn off your electronics. You might also want to start studying early and space it out so that you can avoid pulling all-nighters. Also, take 20 min. power naps if you need to between classes. 

6. Get moving.

Remember to add a workout to your schedule. Physical activity boosts blood flow to the brain and helps you stay focused in class. It is one of the best stress relievers and can help keep you sane during finals. It can also help you sleep better at night.

7. Keep your resolutions.

To ensure that you keep your resolutions this year, write them down and keep them in a place where you can easily see them every day. You can also tell your friends and family about your resolutions so that they can give you moral support.

-Abigail R

How Creating the perfect homework station can improve academic performance for Highlands Ranch Students

One way to avoid the daily struggle to get homework done and to help your student to improve their academic performance is to create a dedicated homework area. Here your student will be able to work in an atmosphere conducive to study and do their homework in a quiet, comfortable setting.

Elements of a good homework station

There are several factors that go into creating an environment conducive to study. The homework station should be quiet and out of the way of the general hustle and bustle of your home.

The homework area should have excellent lighting and an abundance of fresh air. If there is poor or stale air, fatigue and lack of concentration occur. Ensure that you clean out your HVAC filters every month to keep the air in your home fresh.

Reduce distractions by ensuring that there are no toys, pets, snacks and games nearby. The study station should only contain items pertaining to homework.

The homework area should be neat and organized with an abundance of stationary and everything your student needs for creativity.

Homework stations also have to be comfortable so ensure that your student has enough space and that the chair and table are at a comfortable height.

Tutor friendly homework spaces

If you have an in-home tutor, then the homework area should be big enough to accommodate your student and their one-on-one tutor. This reinforces the homework area as an academic space where positive, constructive work occurs.

The study station should be a quiet zone

The study station should be a dedicated area in your home where homework happens. When one of your students is in the study station, they are off limits to the rest of the family. Here they are not to be interrupted or distracted and should be left in peace.

Set homework times

Homework is best done when your students are refreshed and alert. The best time for this is usually after a short break when they have returned from school, but you and your students should work out a time that best suits your family schedule. Having a set homework time helps to establish a routine and reduces the incidence of incomplete homework.

Floral study friends

Studies show that indoor plants reduce stress, absorb sound and create fresh air. Placing a few pot plants around your student’s study area will help to create a positive atmosphere and provide a source of fresh air.

When planning and creating a study area, be sure to consult your student. Together you can create a space that best suits their study needs. Creating a space that is free from distractions and interruptions from siblings, phone calls and pets is a great way to encourage your students to complete homework tasks and study for exams.

How to Help Your High School Student Set Goals

To your teen, it might seem as if high school is going to last forever. But you know better. Setting goals provides your teens with concrete landmarks to help them along their academic path. Having set goals to follow will give your teens focus and help them build self-confidence.

Here’s a look at the kinds of goals your teen should be setting and why they are important.

• Of Course Those Courses Matter. How can you help make your teen’s academic schedule beneficial to him or her? Keep your teen’s college and career goals in mind when choosing courses.

• Think Ahead to Test Time. Tests are a fact of life for high school teens. Whether dealing with subject tests, mid-terms and finals, or standardized tests, your teen’s high school career will be peppered with test dates. Well ahead of test time, help your teen set up test preparation goals.

• Extracurriculars Are Not Extraneous. Both colleges and employers think extracurricular activities are important because they showcase skills, commitment and responsibility. In addition, these activities benefit your teen by helping to build independence, confidence and experience. Sometimes, they even help your teen figure out a career path. As your teens set goals for the things they would like to achieve outside of school, help them keep their overall schedule in mind, as well as their college plans.

• You Talking to Me? Have your teen talk to the school’s counselor. The counselor can help your teen select courses and narrow down college and career choices. Setting up goals with the counselor provides a clear framework that helps them keep things in focus.

• Hello College, Here We Come! No matter which year of high school your teen is in, college visits should be on your goal list. Freshman year is not too soon to start looking at colleges. In fact, it’s much better to start early, and you can start locally. Visit different colleges of different sizes, with different kinds of campuses, if possible. Different campuses have different “feels” to them, and visiting will help your teen figure out which atmospheres are most appealing.

• Face the Financial Facts. High school means study time for you too. Your goal during your teen’s high school years should be to learn about college costs. That includes learning about financial aid: how it works, what’s available and if your family qualifies for it. It also includes learning about the differences between loans, grants and scholarships. The earlier you learn the ins and outs, the better, because it’ll give you the opportunity to plan ahead. Then, you can sit down with your teen and have a frank discussion about the fiscal facts. Based on that discussion, you can help your teen set realistic college goals.

The more your teens set and meet goals, the more they will realize the benefits and importance of goal setting. How do you help your teens set goals and keep them on track for meeting their goals?