3 Tips for Colorado Students to Get Their College Application Noticed

As though your high school student didn’t have enough pressure to get a great grade point average, they also have to volunteer and get glowing recommendations from influential educators in order to get into a good college. With college applications becoming more competitive with each passing year, some students are coming up with creative ways to get their colleges of choice to notice them.

In his book “The New Rules of College Admissions,” Scott Ham, the former Admissions Dean of Northwestern University explains that gimmicks that seem clever to high school graduates are often just a pain to deal with and don’t help in any way. He has had students turn their college applications into jigsaw puzzles, write them backwards and send them in with a mirror and every year he gets some applications with a show (one foot in the door) or a balloon (so it will rise to the top). Here are some of his best tips for success with college applications.

Just be yourself

The best way to not be looked over is to be memorable and the only way to do that is to foster a personal connection with the admissions officer. While parents can offer advice about content, and teachers and tutors can help polish the grammar and vocabulary, the application must be written by the student.

When the application letter is sincere, from the heart and shows the real personality of the student, there is a far better chance of forging a real connection and a memorable introduction. As in all things, be yourself, be sincere and don’t try to write what you think they want to hear.

Show your stuff

Don’t send along a resume; these are almost always disregarded. Instead, showcase your talents effectively within the reasonable limits of the application form. Each university is looking for students who are talented and who will add to the eclectic tapestry of campus life.

If you can play a musical instrument, add a video of a recent performance or if you are an accomplished artist, include a slide show of your work. Whatever your unique talents, include them in your application even if they don’t pertain to the course you are going to study.

Show that you are serious

When the recruiting officer comes to you school, be sure to make contact with them and ask them to fill out an information card. Visit the campus and fill out an information card to show that you were there and ask for an interview while you are at it. Colleges want to be sure that they are your first choice when going through the application process, so show your commitment by making contact as often as possible.

When it comes to college applications, remember that your poor admissions officer has thousands to get through. Make their lives easier by sticking to the format and really trying to show them who you are, what you are passionate about and (above all else) be sincere.

Best Holiday Reads for Middle School Students

The holiday season is the perfect time for middle school students to get some rest in before the new semester. The weather is cool and they have time to catch up on some fun reading. Here are some books you can buy to encourage holiday reading or add to their festive gift list:

The Mysterious Benedict Society

Students reply to a newspaper advert and have to pass a series of tests in order to qualify for the team which embarks on a mysterious investigation. The students go undercover at the Learning Institute for the Very Enlightened where they discover all manner of secrets.

The Harry Potter Box Set

If your student hasn’t experienced the joys of the Hogwart’s School of Wizardry, then this will make a gift of epic proportions. It doesn’t matter if they have already watched the movies; the books are far more action-packed and intricate and will still be a thrilling read.

The Giver

This coming-of-age novel investigates the world where Jonas lives free of choices, pain or war, until (at the age of 12) he is exposed to these elements by the Giver. This is a great novel and your student will not be able to put it down!

The Hobbit

Try to get your student to read this before going to see the movie. The Hobbit is a classic for good reason as readers are taken on scintillatinly exciting adventures with Bilbo Baggins as he sets off from the Shire with Gandalf the wizard to battle dragons for stolen treasure.

Holes

When Stanley Yelnats goes to Camp Green Lakes for the summer, he is transported to a desert devoid of any greenery at all. As Stanley’s summer takes a turn for the worse, he is accused of stealing a pair of shoes and made to dig holes in the desert sand. He soon figures out that the dastardly camp leader is searching for a hidden treasure…

Twilight Saga

This is a favorite that will have your student sitting on the edge of their seats as they enter the intriguing world of vampires and werewolves and follow the tales of Isabella Swan and her romance with 100 year-old vampire Edward Cullen.

Esperanza Rising

Esperanza lived on her affluent family ranch in Mexico until the Great Depression forces her and her mother to flee to California. Esperanza must learn to face life as a farm worker, as well as overcome the hardships of their new financial difficulties to carve out a life in her new home.

Artemis Fowl

Artemis Fowl is a twelve year old with a difference; millionaire, genius and criminal mastermind. Artemis bites off more than he can chew when he kidnaps a fairy, Captain Holly Short of the LEPrecon Unit.

Best Christmas Books for Elementary School Students

As Christmas approaches, elementary school tutor Lauren Wood has a wealth of Christmas-themed books which she leaves lying around the house. All the younger students who visit eagerly read them in anticipation of the big day. “It’s a great way to get them the read,” she says, “and there are so many great Christmas classics for them to choose from.” Here is a list of all the classic novels that every young student should have in their library.

A Night before Christmas
Clement C. Moore’s classic poem is perhaps one of the best-known classics. You can read it to your students or, better still, get them to read it to you on Christmas Eve. It’s a cute little poem that has some complex language which you can help them with. Keep a dictionary on hand so that they can look up any words that they don’t understand.

The Berenstain Bears and the Joy of Giving
While Christmas time is supposed to be about giving and sharing, it’s easy for students to get focused on receiving. This is a wonderful book by Jan Berenstain to remind students of the joys of giving. Written in 1962, this true classic is a must for every student. You can augment the tale by asking your students to pick one toy to donate to those who are less fortunate.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss
The Grinch has become a staple for every discerning Christmas reader. This delightful poem about a mean, green Grinch is fun and funny. You can read the book first and then watch the animated short or the full length movie by the same name.

The Nightmare before Christmas by Tim Burton
This beautifully illustrated novel is about a well-meaning Halloween skeleton who decides to play Santa with disastrous results. It’s the perfect holiday read for those who are fans of Halloween. You can read the book and then watch Tim Burton’s masterfully crafted movie filled with ghoulish characters.

The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg
It’s the ultimate Christmas fantasy; as a young boy lies awake on Christmas eve, Santa swoops by with his reindeer and takes him on an adventure to the North Pole. It really is a magical journey filled with excitement and adventure. Read the book and then watch the movie too!

The Wild Christmas Reindeer by Jan Brett
The story of little Teeka’s attempts to train Santa’s reindeer is not only a great guide for students on how to work well with others, but it also introduces them to northern cultures and life on the tundra. It’s a magical tale of how Teeka manages to get all the reindeer together for Santa’s big night by working with them and treating them kindly. This is a great book for older siblings.

This festive season, give your students the gift of books to help expand their seasonal libraries. Reading books is a great way for them to spend their holidays and get into the Christmas spirit.

Are Sports Good for Your Student?

Sports can be a contentious issue, especially with students who don’t wish to participate. If you are wondering whether to persist, the answer is definitely yes. Sports help to hone motor skills, they instill confidence and help students develop physically. Exercise helps to develop healthy lifestyles and keeps childhood obesity at bay. Sports also teach a number of healthy social skills like teamwork, practice and discipline.

Benefits of sports
Childhood obesity is growing as our society becomes increasingly sedentary. Video games, computers and TV keep us stationary and prevent healthy activities which help to keep weight down. Sporting activities help to get students outside and moving. Find a sport that suits your student. There is so much to choose from and if the school sports don’t interest them, opt for out of school choices like archery or diving.

Does your Student want to quit?
US research found 70% of students who play sports quit by the time they are 13 because it is no longer fun. There are various reasons for this including too much pressure from parents or coaches, poor relationship with teammates, academic pressure and body image issues. You can encourage your student to stay by finding solutions to their problems. Perhaps you need to back off a little, or find a team outside of school if the coach or other players aren’t getting along with your student. Students play sport to have fun and spend time with their friends so winning shouldn’t be the focus.

Be a good example
The best way to get your students involved in sports is to be involved yourself. Being a good example will help to encourage your students to be active. You should also be a good example when it comes to the social skills that sports teach. This means that you should always be fair, be a good sport and treat authority figures like teachers, umpires and coaches with respect. Instill good sportsmanship in your students and teach them to be a team player.
Bob Cook from Forbes Magazine says the key to enjoying your student’s sporting activities is to not care about the outcome of the game: “I didn’t care whether what was happening on the field would affect my daughter’s future prospects as a softball player. None of it mattered — and, as a result, I am enjoying the sports parent experience so much more.” Cook says the key to sporting success as a family is to be supportive and enthusiastic, but not to stress yourself or your kids out.

Discipline
If your students want to succeed in life, they will have to be disciplined. Discipline will help them to stay dedicated to their goals and give them the strength to work hard. Discipline will help them to overcome adversity and get them through tough times. This means that you have to be a good example when it comes to discipline and encourage them to go to sports practice regularly.

Enroll your students in a sporting activity today and they will reap many benefits both physical and emotional. Allow them to develop at their own pace and don’t put too much pressure on them. Find a sporting activity that they enjoy and excel at to help build confidence and be a great example.

Tutoring: Is it Right for your Student?

Every child goes through a difficult academic time. It could be that they are having issues adjusting to a new school or a new grade, perhaps they are having personal or social problems or maybe they don’t get on well with their teacher. With so many factors playing a role in academic performance, you need to carefully weigh the situation to determine whether your student needs help.

Cause and effect

Always keep a close eye on your student’s grades and keep in regular contact with their teachers. If you or your teacher notices a change in academic performance act quickly. Nipping problems in the bud will make them so much easier to deal with.

Sit down with your student and their teacher to ascertain what the problem is. Everyone has a bad test or a poor assignment score from time to time and one poor grade does not a disaster make. If your student got a bad grade, ask them what went wrong and how they can remedy the situation in the future. Two bad grades on consecutive tests or papers means that there is possibly a miscommunication. Go through the paper with your student to ascertain exactly what went wrong and discuss how to fix it.

If the academic problems persist, it may be time to look at the bigger picture.

Causes of poor academic performance

Speak with your student to find out exactly how much time they devote to study and what else if going on in their lives. Poor academic performance can be the result of several factors:

• Too many sports/after school activities
• Health issues
• Social problems or bullying
• Personal or family problems
• Learning disabilities
• Poor diet
• Poor relationship with a teacher
• Gaps in academic knowledge or skill

Resolutions

Only once you have clearly established the cause of academic discord can you work on a solution. Include your student in any discussions about their future or about possible solutions to the problems they are having. Inclusive practices make it more likely that they will participate in the proposed solutions.

If your students don’t have extraneous reasons for poor academic performances, it may be time to get an in-home tutor. One-on-one tutoring is the very best way to get your student’s academic performance back on track. Tutors are able to establish gaps in your student’s knowledge or skill set and can pinpoint issues that need the most attention. Tutors can also present information in ways that suit your child’s learning style so that they are able to understand the work better.

Tutors can help your students to study for exams and to complete homework and assignments on time. Tutors are experts at study methods and they can help your students to study in an effective and efficient way.

Tutors work with your students on an individual level, so there is no anxiety about answering or asking questions. As they get back on track, their confidence grows and the anxiety they feel at school will be reduced.