10 Tips for New Homeschooling Parents

By Dr Stephen Jones

New homeschoolers can benefit from the flexibility that home schooling offers. 

It is a great opportunity to engage all your students learning style. Some students

are visual learner, some are auditory learners and others are tactile learner. Think

 in terms of what you can do to make lessons interactive and engaging.  Be the greatest cheerleader when your student is studying and learning. Your words have the power to motivate students

to excel during their homeschooling experience. Here are some tips for homeschooling parents:

1.     Have a set time for your students to start and finish instruction

2.     Have a set time for your children to complete homework

3.     Go to the dollar store and fill up with supplies for projects

4.     Start on all projects early

5.     Teach your student how to study with videos on the topic

6.     Have a specific quiet place where all student's complete homework

7.     Visit sites and attend lectures where your student can learn something they are studying.

8.     Have conversations with your child regarding the things that they are learning

9.     Let your student explore a variety of careers on videos or by interviewing people in person

10.  Continually give your student positive feedback

Remember that you are the facilitator of learning and you can accomplish great things with

your child. Always ask your child open ended questions and it will create wonderful conversations.

If you can afford a tutor get one or find out what is offered at a local school. Where possible

have conversations about careers by talking to your child about their interest. Don’t be afraid to ask other homeschooling parents questions for advice. You can expect to have a great from your home schooling experience.

Dr. Stephen is an author and presenter who has written three books , Seven Secrets of How to Study, Parents Ultimate education Guide and the Ultimate Scholarship Guide at http://www.DrJonesbooks.com, stephenjoness@rcn.com and 610-842-3843.

Dr. Jones Parenting Online Course

https://www.parents.teachit.education/ 

Dr. Stephen Jones Books

1.     Seven Secrets of How to Study 

2.     Ultimate Scholarship Guide

3.     Ultimate Parents Guide

4.     http://www.DrJonesbooks.com

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Join my podcast on the Anchor App which is titled Education Central 

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10 Back to School Study Tips

By Dr. Stephen Jones

The journey back to school is a time when students meet new friends and get adjusted to a new school environment.  The adjustment is not limited to K12 students there are changes for college bound students too.  Often after the first week students realize that they do not know how to study and they easily get behind on assignments. Going back to school becomes a burden when students realize how much work that they need to complete.  Students don’t realize that learning how to study is one of the best ways to succeed during the new school year.

For most students it is easy to discover how much they do not remember from the prior year. The first test score or quiz can reveal a lot.   It takes devotion to get back into the habit of studying.  Students who want the best grade realize that they need to hit the ground running.  They are ready for the challenge of a new school year and they are organized.  There are ten study tips that they have learned to use: (1) Manage your time with a written schedule, (2) get a tutor right away if you need one, (3) meet with your teacher/professor to get help (4). Start reading your chapters right away, (5) Read the chapter more than once when possible (6). Pick up other books at the library, (7)prepare for tests and quizzes five days before your test (8) research your course topics over the internet, (9) form a study group and (10) sit in the first two rows and ask questions.  Go into each school year prepared to learn.  The studying that you do prior to the beginning of school will help you to achieve better grades.  The best students focus on having a great awareness of all of the requirements for each course.

Take advantage of the technology that is all around you.  There are all types of gadgets that are essential for 21st century students.  Every student should have a laptop that connects to the internet and prints documents.  Some school systems are saving money by using laptop computers. They are reducing their paper consumption.  Consider purchasing an IPOD which can be used to download educational information.  There are programmable calculators that help with complex math problems.   There is also the new IPAD that stores books and provides access to the internet.  All of these technologies are converging to provide a wealth of knowledge for everyone.

The potential for independent learning opportunities is growing each year.  You can be successful when you go back to school by pursuing knowledge with other friends.  Make a commitment to forming a study group.  You can meet in person or over the telephone.  Hand out assignments by way of email.  Each person must answer the assignment questions.  Then set a time to meet in person or over the telephone.   A group that starts out with a strong effort by everyone will have a greater chance of lasting until the end of the course.

Students who want to have success on every test must be prepared.  Too many students who are in high school have a habit of waiting until the last minute to study.  Students need better organization and a time management schedule to plan study time for every test.     If you have a schedule you can study two or three days prior to your examination.  You can surprise your instructor when your grades jump from a “B” to an “A+.”    Improving your grades will give you greater confidence on other tests that you encounter.  It’s time to get ready for an inspiring school year full of outstanding accomplishments.

 Dr. Stephen Jones is an educator and national speaker who has written the Seven Secrets of How to Study, the Parent's Ultimate Education Guide and the Ultimate Scholarship Guide at http://www.DrStephenJones.net/books

How to Help your 9th Grade Students to Exel

By Dr Stephen Jones

The 9th grade can be one of the biggest adjustments of a students life. The expectations are so different from middle school that some students want to give up. An effective school principal and teachers must recognize the anxiety of a 9th grader and plan to reduce it. Believe in your students capability to have a passion for learning. Seek to create an excellent school environment. Here are some things you can do:

1.  Teach them how to study and to perform well

2. Give students one on one success meetings with the best teachers

3. Take them outside of school to see the world of work

4. Invite in interactive speakers to talk about their professions

5. Start an internship program for 9th graders

6. Specific tutors for graders in subjects where they frequently have problems 

7. Continuous information for 9th grade parents in a newsletter or blog

8. Show that you care and create class spirit

9. Tell them that you expect them to get a post secondary education and show them the way

10. Never, never, never give up on them

You can change your school by always seeking to innovate. Think inside the bust. What are the three most innovative things you can do for 9th. At a minimum have a suggestion box where they can anonymously share problems and suggest solutions. Each generation has its way of thinking. To get workshops for your students or parents contact Dr. Stephen Jones at Learn@DrStephenJones.net/books or http://www.DrStephenJones.net

610-842-3843.

Why the New FAFSA APP Revolutionizes Financial Aid

The US Department of Education officially has launched its FAFSA mobile app to help students to complete and send the Free Application for Federal Student Aid form by way of their cellphones. Federal officials believe the app, named myStudentAid, will help to increase the number of families who apply for student financial aid. The FAFSA App is significant since there are still many students who do not have access to a computer in their home. The FAFSA form can be complex for scores of parents, who must answer more than 75 questions to complete the form. One key to success and obtaining financial aid is completing the FAFSA form early. The hope is that the App will decrease the parent’s apprehension about completing the form.

Why should the parent complete the FAFSA form on the App as soon possible? There are times when a parent will need to make corrections to the FAFSA application. Completing the FAFSA application early will provide more time for corrections. If you are a parent don’t give up seeking help from your school counselor. They may have knowledge of a FAFSA representative in your region who can help you. Most colleges rely on the FAFSA information as a resource that helps them to determine a student’s overall financial aid package.

The new FAFSA App gives parents the ability to enter their income information for one or more children. The students have their own section in the FAFSA application. Each student will have a unique way to enter their own information too. This is important since a family with two children may enroll in two different colleges. A family could actually sit down and work on their own information at the same as their student. The goal of the app is to make it easier to apply and to get increased participation. Some additional benefits include:

1.  A much easier application to complete

2.  The ability to register on cell phone that you carry in your pocket every day

2.  The federal tax documentation is already completed when the new FAFSA app is available

3.  The ability to get immediate help from a counselor

4.  An earlier notification of college financial aid packages 

FAFSA wants greater participation of all students regardless of their income.  Students who are first generation or low income seem to have the most difficult challenges completing three FAFSA form. If you fall into one of the two categories that I mentioned don’t be afraid to ask for help. There are school counselors who are focused on getting students prepared to apply for colleges using the common application. Finishing your FAFSA form early is one way to send a message to colleges that you are serious about getting enrolled.

The FAFSA office has come up with an App that will benefit everyone.  If you area college bound student, know is the time to complete all of the requirements of the FAFSA form. Don’t be the last to get the financial aid package from colleges that you’ve selected. Dr. Stephen Jones is the author of the Ultimate Scholarship Guide and the Seven Secrets of How to study at 

http://www.DrStephenJones.net/books.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

How Advanced Placement Courses Successfully Prepare Students for College

If you want your student to be better prepared for college, I highly recommend that they enroll in Advanced Placement (AP) courses. You may be asking why.  Students who enroll in AP courses are better prepared for the challenges and rigor that a college level course can bring.  Preparing students for college takes a lot of preparation and planning.  Too many students go to college with great enthusiasm and with little preparation. During the first few weeks of college some students realize that they are not prepare them. They start to realize that college requires long hours of studying, reading, solving problems and managing a schedule that is full of reading assignments.  If you are sending your first student to college an AP course can give your student confidence that they can handle college level courses.

Completing an AP course in high school can help your student to get over the anxiety that is common during the first six weeks of college classes.  Some students receive their first C grade or less while in their first semester of college and it is a tremendous shock.  This is especially true when the student has not received a grade of less than a B during their entire K12 experience. It’s sad to say that some students want to drop out after their first unusual grade.  Some students realize that they were not taught how to learn independently or to research knowledge on their own.

Students who are the first person in their family to attend college face unique obstacles. They do not know what to expect or how difficult it will be. There are many who have no counselor to turn to when it is time to apply to college. The counselor to student ratio is five hundred to one in some high schools. A student may not be steered toward an advance placement course if the parent is not communicating with their counselor.  It is important for each parent to be actively involved in their student’s high school education.  Always seek out the best courses for your student and get them tutoring when necessary.

I recommend community college courses for students who want to get a taste of college before attending undergraduate school. Community college classes can give your student a similar challenge that an AP course can provide. Also, a community college course can be a way for a student to catch up if they are behind in a certain course. For example, if you want to study engineering in college you will need to take calculus while in high school. If you are behind you can take a pre-calculus course during the summer and calculus during your senior year.  It is far better to take calculus during your junior year and AP calculus during your senior year if possible.

Some student’s classmates scare other students away from AP classes.  They tell them how long they study and the difficulty of the course content.  If you are their parent encourage your student and support them with resources and tutoring. It is worth it.  You are cutting down on the chances that your student will struggle while they are in college.  In fact, there is a prize at the end of every AP course. If your student scores a 4 or a 5 on the standardized AP course during May they are able to reduce the number of courses they take during college.

To succeed a college student must develop good study habits while enrolled in an AP course. It is a great way to prepare for college. Your student must devote their energy to earning the best grades in each class by meeting the expectation of the course. Students who are successful know that they must manage their time. Here are ten additional ways that a student benefit from AP courses:

1.  A reduction in the number of courses required during college

2.  Get in the habit of good time management for tests

3.  You will have some of the best teachers in your school

4.  You will have an early experience regarding the expectations of a college professor

5. You learn how to do advanced research

6.  You will share knowledge with some of the best students in your high school

7.  Get tutoring from some of the best teachers and students.

8.  Get preparation for a community college course.

 One of the best skills that a high school student can learn is how to focus on their goal.  There are always plenty of distractions in high school.  Focus on your goal to be excellent in all AP classes. Identify your distractions such as social activities, day dreaming, peers and sports.  Students who are willing to eliminate distractions while they are in high school have a great habit of doing the same while in college.  One of the biggest distractions in college is the freedom in your schedule when there are no classes.  I encourage all students to write down their goals in each AP class and to work hard to achieve them.

The decision to enroll in an AP course is a serious choice.  It can be life changing and have a positive effect on the rest of a student’s courses.  Acceptance into a college is just the beginning of a student’s career journey.  All the studying that a student is doing in high school lays the foundation for how successful his/her college experience will turn out. Now is the time to enroll your student in an AP class that helps with the transition from high school to college.

Dr Stephen Jones is a college preparation expert and author. Purchase copies of Dr. Jones’ books “Seven Secrets of How to Study, Ultimate Scholarship Guide or Parents ultimate Education Guide at http://www.DrStephenJones.net or email your school workshop/consulting questions too Learn@DrStephenJones.net

10 Things High School Students Must do During Freshman Year of College

For many high school seniors the final year can be a stressful time. High school students often struggle to manage their time. College will be an awakening for some high school students in terms of time spent studying. The best thing that a high school student can do is develop an academic study plan and follow it. Their freshman year will require 20-30 hours of studying each week. Here are ten tips to for freshman year of college:

1. Get a time management daily planner and increase your study time in your daily schedule. Study at least 4 hours each day.

2. Don’t procrastinate and study for examinations at the last minute. (Study 5 days before each examination)

3. Purchase books for all classes and begin reading them right away. If time allows read each chapter twice. Follow your syllabus and stay ahead.

4. Meet every professor in their office throughout the semester. Go to their office with prepared questions.

5. Get tutoring where appropriate

6. Get involved in study groups where students are earning A+ grades.

7. Focus on maintaining a positive attitude by reading motivational books or listening to recordings.

8. Organize and review your notes daily.

9. Ask your instructor questions right after class.

10. Go to the library to study and avoid friends who area distraction.

Get ready for college while you are in high school. Attend your colleges’ summer program before you attend. College will be the stepping stone to your future.

Dr. Stephen Jones is a college coaching and study skills expert. You can get a copy of his book the “Seven Secrets of How to Study” at http://www.DrStephenJones.net or to obtain college coaching for your son or daughter call 610-842-3843.

Parent Involvement the Primary Key to Student Success

 School districts all over the country are suffering from a lack of parent participation. Could you imagine a day when fifty percent more parents show up for a parent’s night?  Parent involvement can change an entire school system. I challenge parents who are reading this article to use their social networks to encourage friends of your family to show up at Parent’s Night.  If more parents showed up it would let other parents know what resources are needed and they could play a major role in helping schools to become better.  Gone are the days when a mother stayed at home to raise children and participate in school activities.  When a child’s parent is involved in their school it sends a message that they care. If a parent is working they can send a relative or a grandparent. Something needs to be done to make parent involvement in K12 schools a high priority on their list of daily activities. Each parent should want to witness their student’s academic success. Their student’s achievements will draw them into the school and encourage them to participate.

What the educators are saying about parent involvement is true. Parents who read to their children early develop children who enjoy reading.  Children are like sponges absorbing new knowledge at a tremendous rate. 

 Parents are great role models for their children’s love for learning.  If the majority of the parent’s time is spent in front of the television or laptop computer then it becomes their child’s main source of information and learning too.  In other words parents who demonstrate a joy of reading instill it in their children. A student’s enthusiasm for learning should begin in the home then spreads to a child’s in school instruction. Here are a few tips:

1. Parent Involvement – Make out a schedule of dates when you or a relative will show up for school meetings during the academic year. There are plenty or resources that are only announced during a parent’s night.  Also you are getting an opportunity to meet your student’s instructor to find out how they run their class.  You will also uncover ways that you can get involved with at least one activity for the year.

2. Encourage them to set goals for themselves – Children need to know that there is no limits to wait they can accomplish.  Encourage your child and stay involved in school activities.

3. Failure is success – Help your child to understand that there is a lot that they can learn from each failure.  Let them know that they will know to try something different the next time that they are pursuing a grade. The student may also need a tutor to help them to learn a particular subject.

4. Surround your child with positive role models – Get them involved in activities that promote leadership and determination.  An optimistic child can learn that they should never give up.

5.  Expose your child to the world -  Children need to know that there is more to the world than their immediate neighborhood.  There are a lot of positive things that they can learn from others.

6. Physical fitness and good health leads to optimism – A child who is physically healthy will have more energy and enthusiasm for life. A child who is eating write, physically fit and gets sufficient rest will be a very productive child.

7. Get a Tutor – If your student needs help with their academic achievement level talk to their teacher about tutoring. The teacher may provide it or have a tutoring recommendation.  If you ask you will find out that other parents are getting help for their children.

Some governors are saying we need more standardized tests to resolve the student achievement gap.  Testing is not the answer. Parent involvement is an alternative that costs fewer dollars to implement.  The resources that are allocated for testing could be spent to increase the number of parent leaders who are in the schools.  Some schools are finding ways to get parent’s involved in the daily activities of their schools.  Parents who are involved can learn about instruction methods that other parents can use in the home.  They are the catalyst to get parents who are not involved to volunteer for special projects.

Parents sometimes reflect on the bad experiences that they had when they were in K12 schools.  Student achievement can be raised when parents know that their active participation will make a difference in their child’s learning capacity.  Some parents are looking at their child’s achievement level to see if there are any differences.  They need to know more about the benefits of looking at the value of education from a different perspective.  Some parents do not know what a good education looks like.  School administrators and teachers must continually advocate for increased communication with parents.

Parents need more information about how K12 education is changing.  Most parents are not aware of the financial challenges that school systems are facing.  Many schools are underfunded when compared to school districts within their own states.  Parents can play a role in encouraging their local legislators to get involved in changing their states school funding formula.  Parents should invite the legislators to visit schools and to witness so that they can witness the challenges that they are facing.  It is easy to create a policy that under fund schools when you make assumptions that money is getting wasted.  Parents need to partner with schools in order to help with specific resources that their child’s school requires.

The United States is steadily slipping in terms of its edge in graduating students from high schools, trade schools, and colleges.  Starting a national campaign to help parents to understand their role in student achievement is a solution whose time has come.  New and innovative organizations are needed.  These organizations must take into account the changing trends in family structures.  Parents are looking for solutions to the achievement gap.  The solution lays in a combination of community and K12 schools working toward alternative education activities which are easily implemented in the home.

Some parents are raising the bar on their expectations for their student.  They are often interested in identifying resources that will prepare their child for college.  They participate in after school and weekend programs right along with their child.  They sign up because of their belief that their program will serve as a link between high school and post secondary education. Today is the day to get involved and make a difference in your local school. Parents are the key to a successful school and their child’s future career opportunities.

Dr Stephen Jones is and education advocate and an author of the Parent’s Ultimate Education Guide. Get your copy http://www.DrStephenJones.net .

College Visit Success Tips

How to Study for a College Test

How to Write a Winning College Essay

How to Apply to College

10 Ways Teachers Can Ignite Excitement About School

Did you know that a teacher’s excitement about school plays a great role in a child’s enthusiasm for school?  Students can tell when their teacher really cares about their success.  A teacher can ignite a student’s fire and passion for learning just by saying the right words.  One way to encourage a student is by brainstorming a list of 25 positive words that you can use to encourage your students daily.  You should think of ways that you can get each student to have great expectations for their future.  It is important to keep your classroom moving in a positive direction. Use words of encouragement whenever you can. Highlight the students accomplishments as a class and individually.  You can compete to be the best class in your school.  Always consider ways that you can implement innovative teaching techniques.  Your students will benefit from periodically seeing change in your approach to instruction.  View student test results as feedback regarding your student’s knowledge of your subject.  Make your review of past tests or quizzes fun and engaging and your students will remember the right answers.

There are some things that you can do and say to make this school year a success.  There are limitless learning possibilities during the school year and summer.  Consider how you can also coordinate your activities with parents.  Here are some other ways that you can create excitement about current and new school year:

1.  Plan an exciting trip to explore nature

2.  Get involved in a physical activity that will require you and your students to do it using math or science experiments.

3.  Plan a visit to library when they are having a special guest speaker.

4.  Purchase and use several board games that require your students to use a strategy to win.

5. Work together on a fun project where they can earn points to win.  Let your student select the project.

6.  Ensure that your students have breakfast in the morning and encourage them to have a great day.  Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Some students come to school hungry. 

7.  Visit the local community center, YMCA or YWCA to find out about their summer activities. Help your students to participate in projects where they will learn something new.

8.  Visit the local book store to find a list of age appropriate books that your students can read during the school year. 

9.  Make sure that you take time to talk to your child about what they are learning in school.  You can both search the internet for additional points to discuss.

10.  Allow your student to teach you something that they have learned during the school year.  Ask your student to share their knowledge with others.

Getting the off to a good start in any class is an important way to lay a good foundation for learning. One way to keep the child active is using the student’s prior knowledge as a chance to build their confidence. Build your foundation on the positive aspects of learning. You can have an exciting school year just by investing time to use innovative classroom techniques to encourage your student’s success.

Dr. Stephen Jones is an outstanding educator and consultant he is the author of “Seven Secrets of How to Study, the Parent’s Ultimate Education Guide and the Ultimate Scholarship Guide. Get these books for your students right away at http://bit.ly/OOmCA0. He can be contacted at 610-842-3843

How to Become a Scholar Athlete

Succeeding as a scholar athlete requires devotion to academic excellence in the classroom.  The value of having scholar athletes on a team is often missed.  There is a conflict that can occur when the coach’s agenda and the student’s academic goals are not on the same page.  A scholar athlete must be able to make wise decisions that involve their future.  A scholar athlete can have the better of two worlds because they are smart on the field and off the field.  These students are also a success because they have invested in their academic dreams.  It is interesting to note that colleges reap the benefit of having scholar athletes on their team.  They can motivate their team mates and help them to excel in the classroom too. 

The NCAA is taking the academic performance of students seriously and they now evaluate how many athletes are graduating from college across the nation.  The academic success of an athlete starts during their K12 years. Colleges can help by setting high academic standards for the athletes that they plan on accepting.  Each K12 school could benefit by following the NCAA’s push for students who are top athletes and scholars.  Some colleges like to boast that they have the highest graduation rate in the region and they can play a role in changing the perception of the athlete’s intellectual ability too.

Becoming a scholar athlete is something that all college students should strive to attain.  Students should ask their potential college coach about their support programs and graduation rates.  The student should ask the coach about their philosophy regarding winning.  A coach should be honest about the number of students who actually become professionals.  When students hear this number it can reveal how much of a chance that the student will have an opportunity to earn the big money that professional’s make. A scholars athlete should look for a coach who places value on the academic development of each student.

A student who is a scholar athlete can have a great career working in all types of industries.  The leadership and organization skills that students develop while they are in college are priceless.  It is important that the scholar athlete continuously assesses what they are learning from their coach and teammates.  There are numerous lessons that can be learned from winning and losing and these can be incorporated as part of a scholar athlete’s professional development.  The college experience will only last for four years and having clear goals will help each athlete to stay focused. 

Each student is the captain of their academic destiny and it should be taken seriously. You will need the best education possible to graduate from high school and college.  Take time to write down your goals and maximize all that you can learn.  The scholar athlete must remain inquisitive and seek every new learning experience possible.  Learning can occur inside the classroom and outside of the classroom.  The scholar athlete can benefit from listening to guest lecturers who come to the campus to discuss their specialty. Use your high school and college experiences as a chance to uncover skills that open doors to new careers.  You should enjoy being a scholar athlete while also making your education a priority too. Dr. Stephen Jones is an educator, keynote speaker and author. He has written the Seven Secrets of How to Study, The Parent’s Ultimate Education Guide and the Ultimate Scholarship Guide.  Visit him at http://www.studyskills2u.com.

7 Ways to get the Most out of College

Attending college is one of the best ways to grow intellectually, emotionally, socially and personally. As you take classes and listen to lectures look for opportunities to do a self-assessment. You should uncover how much you do or don’t know about a topic. Then ask yourself how does this knowledge apply to your life? Active engagement with the learning process will be tremendously rewarding. Take time to talk to your advisor ansd visit the career center to talk about your career plans. It can help you to maintain the motivation do your best work in all of your classes. One of the best things that you can do is get to know your instructors and visit him/her. Don’t allow yourself to get nervous and talk yourself out of visiting your professor. Your professors are full of knowledge that you need. Research the articles and books that they have written. You should also show up when they ask you to listen to a guest speaker. It will enable you to have another type of conversation with your instructor. Many instructors never have a visitor during their office hours. You can be the first to visit and get personal help from your instructor. Make it your goal to take full advantage of all that college life has to offer. Here are seven important ways to get the best out of college: 1. Talk to a faculty member about doing undergraduate research 2. Join a club and take on a leadership role 3. Learn another language so that you can function in a global economy 4. Go on an international studies experience 5. Volunteer to represent your university on a service learning trip 6. Attend a student conference in your major 7. Serve a as a mentor/tutor for other high school students You should work to develop new skills while you are in college. It is extremely important to develop good speaking skills. It will take you a long way. It is also important to increase the quality of your writing and reading skills. College professors and corporate professionals are looking for students who have good communication skills. College will pay when you are able to get the job that you desire. In addition take time to learn how to network. Get to know professors and administrators who are not teaching your curriculum. You will have many more people who are available to help you throughout your college experience. Networking is a good way to form study groups and to get tutoring when you need it. One of the best aspects of college life is all of the students that you meet who are from diverse backgrounds. You can get the most out of college by taking it as an adventure and an early preparation for your future. Dr. Stephen Jones is an author, keynote speaker and educator. His books are the Seven Secrets of How to Study, the Parent’s Ultimate Education Guide and the Ultimate Scholarship Guide. You can reach at http://www.studyskills2u.com.

How to Find Money and Resources for Your School

One of the biggest challenges facing schools today is how to maintain an effective level of resources for teachers and students. This is the time to get creative and think of alternative ways to obtain resources. Often people and companies just need to know your needs and they will get involved. It’s important to have a mindset that the resources are available so that you will be an active participant in the effort to locate resources. If everyone in the school gets creative, you can identify resources all throughout the school year. Here are twelve things you can do to find money and resources. 1. Contact new companies that are coming into your town. They want to find a way to get connected to the community. 2. Get students who have graduated from your school and are working to purchase specific items. 3. Get time on a radio program to talk about your needs 4. Have a carnival involving the students and parents 5. Create a list and get sororities and fraternities to have a campaign to get supplies for your school 6. Organize a school wide car wash on a specific Saturday 7. Offer a certain item (i.e shirt, cup) at a school sports event and let the participants know that it is a fund raiser 8. Purchase the chronicle of Philanthropy. It list foundations and corporations who have given to school. 9. Don’t limit your search for funding to local corporations. Go after funds from large corporations 10. Write a proposal and a separate executive summary for funding that you can send out at any time. 11. Join a crowd funding network (i.e. IndIegogo.com) that allows people from all walks of life to contribute to your needs 12. Use the internet to conduct your search for “free school resources.” The important aspect of getting these resources is active participation. You may have an alumni or PTA that will help you with your efforts. Ask others in your school to help to create a list of contacts who are ready to help your school. You will be surprised at who is really interested in helping schools to succeed. Know is the time to get started. To contact Dr. Stephen Jones visit http://www.studyskills2u.com or call 610-842-3843

8 Rules for Selecting a college

During the senior year parents engage in the annual ritual and conversation about selecting a college. Today college cost is frequently at the top of the list of issues that parent’s must confront. Even today money should not be the only reason that you select a college. The ability of your student to live within the philosophy of a college can make a big difference in their success. Sure colleges can put up an advertisement and send you a mailing every week but there is nothing like visiting a campus and talking to the faculty and students who have made a commitment to a particular college. The truth is there are over 6,000 colleges that a student can select from and all; very in size and mission. Some colleges are owned by your state, some private and others are community colleges.
There are eight rules that will help you to select a college that fits your needs. There are some simple rules that you can follow to reduce your stress. These practices will help you to make a reasonable decision about the top colleges that you select. Here are the 8 rules:
1. When you go on a college tour always arrange a meeting with a faculty member and student.
2. Always talk to the financial aid office after you have received their financial aid package.
3. Attend a classroom lecture to get a sense of the class sizes.
4. Check out what students are saying about the college on the internet.
5. Ask if advising is mandatory or voluntary. Advisors can be a critical part of a student’s success.
6. Ask if their professors teach classes or mostly teaching assistants.
7. Ask how many students from your high school have attended the college. It could be a sign that your former classmates really liked the college.
8. Take several friends with you and go on a campus tour together. Sometimes it is good to get more than one perspective on the college you are visiting.

It is never too early to start your college search process. Colleges are putting out all kinds of information every day. You can go on some college websites and download videos and podcasts about the college. Some colleges also offer CD recordings of several aspects of the college. Some colleges even offer a virtual tour of their campus. Dr. Stephen Jones is an author, keynote speaker and educator. His books are the Seven Secrets of How to Study, the Parent’s Ultimate Education Guide and the Ultimate Scholarship Guide. You can reach at http://www.studyskills2u.com.

How to Earn Better Grades

According to Indiana University the average American student only studies 3 hours each week. That amounts to 20 minutes a day. A total of 60,000 students responded to this study skills survey. Each year thousands of students enter college thinking they can use high school study habits and easily sail through a college degree. They have a rude awaking when they discover success in college requires a minimum of three to five hours studying each day. Some students say studying the night before their examination seemed so much easier in high school.

Most students want to know what are the true seven secrets to better study skills and earning an A+. Is the answer studying all night before a major examination? Is it photographic memory you inherited from your parent? The answer to both questions is no. There are seven fundamental study habits that every student must master to get started on the right pathway to earning an A+.

1. Prepare for all Test Ahead of Schedule- Don’t wait until the last minute to prepare for your examination. Most students increase their level of test anxiety because they feel unsure that they have studied everything.
2. Start a Study Group-Get together with a group of students who are enrolled in your class. Set a date when you will meet and give out assignments so each person has a responsibility.
3. Don’t Procrastinate on Projects- Start all assignments in sufficient time to perform your best work. For example, if a science project is due in December you should start the project by October. Also, start all studying for examinations at least 4 days before the test will occur. If a term paper is due in November start your paper in September. Develop a plan that has cut off dates for each segment of your assignment.
4. Get the Energy you Need- Many students put off the first meal of the day. They are missing the most important meal of the day. Scientists have discovered that eating a good breakfast is better for your overall health. Feeding yourself with healthy foods and exercising have a positive effect on the brain.
5. Get organized. Purchase several three ring binders for all of your courses English, math, history and science. Keep copies of your homework, quizzes and examinations in your binders. Make a copy of your syllabus and put it in your binder. Use your binder each time you study for an examination.
6. Talk to Your Teacher- Often students are afraid to talk to their teacher - Meet with your teacher in their office at the beginning of the semester. Let them know that you want to understand every thing you must do to earn an A+. Always show interest in the subject they are teaching by sitting in the front of the class. Go to class with questions you’ve written on a sheet of paper.
7. Read your Textbook- Read your textbook assignment before every class. Reading early is beneficial because you will be prepared for your class. You will feel confident that you have knowledge of your subject and you can answer your teacher’s questions.

To avoid the pitfalls of procrastination you must have an academic plan. An effective study skills plan starts with organizing all of your learning materials. Begin with the end in mind. Determine what you would like to learn from each course. Instead of making plans to study at the last minute follow a calendar. You will experience the freedom of knowing where to find information when you need it. The more that you uncover the habits that block you from maximizing your achievements leads you into greater accomplishments.

When you follow these strategies you are on your way learning the Seven Secrets of How to Study. There is one more thing that is a vital factor in your success. You must have a positive attitude and expectation that you will earn a good grade. Approach each class with an expectation that you are going to earn an A+ and you will be half way down the road to a successful academic year. Launch into each study session with enthusiasm and excitement about the new information you are about to learn. It’s important to invest additional quality time studying to raise your confidence in each class. Remember the formula for success is to study 2 to 3 hours for every hour that you are in class.

Practice the Seven Secrets of How to Study and you will prepare yourself for lifetime of excellent grades. Dr. Stephen Jones is author of the “Seven Secrets of How to Study”, Go on the internet at http://sevensbooks.net to order a book or to order by telephone call 866-544-5490.