Search Results for: blog high school students taking college classes

The Downside of the Digital Photography Revolution

Many of the videographers I used to work with when I was in TV news have branched out and are now making money taking still photos with professional-grade digital cameras. I had the chance to catch up with one of them Saturday night and discovered that the digital photography revolution has some hidden downsides most amateur shutterbugs may not be aware of. My former colleague’s biggest complaint is that digital cameras are so affordable these days it has created a wave of amateur photographers thinking they can make a quick buck. My pal claims that in an effort to generate … Continue reading →

Timed Tests Help Concentration

If you are a homeschooling parent you may or may not give your child tests in general much less timed tests. Many homeschoolers do not see the benefit in giving tests to their children. I agree that a test is not the end all be all of intelligence or mastery over a subject. I was also a homeschooler who did not give or rely on tests to weigh the level of mastery achieved on a subject. Recently, I have decided to change my homeschool to include tests for my older children. Before this year I had only given spelling tests … Continue reading →

Give Your Teen Opportunities to Make Their Own Decisions

Growing up I really had very little opportunity to make my own decisions. Even when I was 18 years old and living at home, very rarely could I make a decision that didn’t have to go past my parents. In fact, I remember wanting to drop a particular college course I was taking (and that I was paying for) but my parents wouldn’t let me. By 19 years of age I was on my own, tired of never being allowed the chance to make a grownup decision. I think I tucked that away somewhere inside of me as a lesson … Continue reading →

Going to Class

People often ask me why I do so well in school. I’ve never hated school but I wasn’t always particularly fond of it either. Nevertheless I always did well in school. All the way from grade school through my current Ph.D. program. At this point in my life I’ve even become an instructor for various types and sizes of classes. I have never received an “F” in a course but I have given them out. At the beginning of each semester I tell my students a series of “secrets” designed to help them succeed in school. These are applicable to … Continue reading →

What about Honors, AP, and IB Programs?

As my son works on his high school program, I have been double checking to make sure is on track to be on equal ground with other students who will be apply to college along with him. Since he is college bound, in my mind, he must be able to compete with other college students on their level. This is not to say that someone who does not take our route of college preparation will not be able to compete. Many unschoolers and relaxed homeschoolers have not trouble getting into college, and even into the best colleges. We (my husband … Continue reading →

More on CLEP Exams

The last time I wrote about CLEP exams, I was just discovering how they could help in our homeschooling journey. In my usual autodidact way, I have since immersed myself into everything CLEP, and integrated that knowledge into what I already know about homeschooling. It is time to share that information with you. There are 34 CLEP exams available that students can take and they cover math, language arts, literature, history, science, and philosophy. These tests were created to allow college students to test out of taking classes where they already held the knowledge that would be taught, but they … Continue reading →

Avoiding Classic College Weight Gain

If your child just started classes at the University of California-San Diego he or she has a better chance of avoiding the dreaded “Freshman Fifteen.” At least that’s what school administrators maintain. For the first time ever the popular college is pulling out all the stops to help students avoid packing on the pounds while on campus. The school recently unveiled its Weight Loss Solutions program–a new wellness, weight-management and counseling program designed to get freshman moving. The program addresses the problems most students face when entering college and living on their own for the first time in their lives. … Continue reading →

The Importance of Getting Organized

Posted on by

Many high school graduates will be heading off to their first semester of college before long. Many of those students are well grounded and have a strong hold on what they want in their future. However others do not. For that group of students who do not have a strong hold on their goals and dreams, college may take them for a whirl. Buckling down and studying and getting a grip on class work may be a little harder for these students. There are some things that students can do to enhance their success in college (and these tips will … Continue reading →

College Bound Homeschoolers, Check out the College Board Website

I got this tip from a young lady that recently graduated from public school. I was inquiring at what age she started taking SAT II subject tests which are equivalent AP exams. Because my son is finishing his first high school math course and is starting college in the fall, I wanted him to take the corresponding standardized test to put in his homeschool portfolio which we are beginning to compile for college admissions. Her advice to me was to go to Collegeboard.com and sign up to get access to test dates and locations. She also informed me that the … Continue reading →

Typical High School Course of Study: Electives

Electives are a very important of high school coursework. Taking elective classes makes students more well rounded, and prepares them for skills they will need when they enter the workforce. Students choose elective classes based on their personal interests and career goals. Some electives are required, and more are not. Required electives include foreign language (of your choice), physical education, health, computer classes, home economics, typing, and some art and music depending on the school districts. The array of choices for electives courses however are quite varied. A student can choose to study multiple languages and in advanced classes. They … Continue reading →