Tag Archives: build a great academic school year

Back to School: Get ready for a great academic year!

As your summer break comes to an end, you may be excited about a new school year or dreading the early mornings. Whichever describes you, it’s always a good idea to start preparing early, so you can set yourself up for a great school year. Here are a few tips to help you get ready for the year ahead!

 

Have a plan and set goals

Before the first day of school, you should list some long-term and short-term goals. For example, “preview chem textbook before class every day” or “work on college essays for 30 minutes every morning.” Try to set goals that you can realistically achieve. Be specific on what you want to accomplish. Then, mark your calendar with deadlines and methods on how you can reach those goals.

 

Are you using your time wisely? Learn more: Setting up Routines for High School

 

Complete back-to-school tasks before your first day

The first day of school can be chaotic, especially if you have not been to the campus for 18 months! If you have never been to your school, try to arrange a visit before your first day. Get your student ID early and check out your textbooks. Figure out the route to your classrooms. Gather all the necessary school supplies and pick your outfit the night before. You want to be as ready as possible, so you can fully enjoy your first time back at school!

 

A note for seniors, you may be familiar with the campus and registration process already, so spend some time completing your college applications before school starts. Schedule a quiet afternoon (or two) before your first day back to school, have your transcript in hand, and fill out all the necessary data for your college applications. It’s one less thing off your plate for your senior year!

 

Read more: Top 10 Summer Tasks for College Admissions

 

Manage your time and schedule wisely

Staying organized and planning out your day can help you use your time wisely. Time-draining activities, such as mindlessly browsing social media, can result in last-minute panic or sleep loss. If procrastination has always been your arch-nemesis, a new year is the perfect time to tackle it. At Insight, some of our counselors prefer the time-block method: they schedule or block off time to work on college essays or application reviews. You can do the same! Simply schedule when you will be in class or studying or participating in club activities AND stay true to your calendar. Don’t forget to schedule short breaks in between, too!

 

Create your space

Imagine this: your parent’s talking on the phone; the TV is on; your sibling is jumping on the couch; the dog is barking; and your phone vibrates every 3 seconds, showing a text or a notification. How productive do you think you’d be? Probably not too much. Find a space in your house that you can claim as yours. Set up your study space and minimize distractions. Yes, that means turning off your phone and close all unnecessary windows on your computers, too. You’d be surprised how much you can accomplish when you only focus on one task.

 

Talk to your teachers and counselors

Get into the habit of talking to your teachers, even something as small as “how are you” or “thank you.” Schedule a time to meet with your guidance counselor. Don’t wait until you need something from them (like a letter of recommendation) to start building that relationship. Besides the subjects they teach, your teachers can be a great source of information. They may have recommendations for books or activities that you may be interested in. Besides, it’s a great practice to talk to people who are different from you and build rapport, which is useful in interviews.

 

 

Preparation is only the beginning. You will have to devote time and effort to keep building a successful year. If you need help or guidance, all of us at Team Insight are always happy to help! Reach out to us!

 

Best of luck,

Team Insight

Insight Scoop: Building a Strong GPA and Academic Story

GPA, academic plans, and transcripts – together, they tell an important part of your high school story to the college admission offices.

 

Do you have a good GPA? What criteria should you consider when selecting your future courses? Join our college admission counselor in an engaging webinar to learn how you can build a strong GPA and academic story.

 

Date/Time: Wednesday, January 18 from 5:00pm – 6:00pm (Pacific)

Location: Online via Zoom

RSVP for your FREE tickets now

 

In this online event, we will cover:

* What college admissions officers want to see in your GPA and transcripts?

* What is the ideal GPA for college admissions?

* How many AP classes do you need to take?

* What courses should you focus on if you want to major in STEM? Or in business?

* How to avoid common pitfalls in course selection?

* and much much more!

 

Our Speaker:

Zach Pava – Senior College Admissions Counselor

Academic planning and GPA in College Admissions by Zach PavaZach is the lead counselor and head of Insight’s Boston office. He also works with students from other parts of the US remotely. He graduated from Trinity College in Hartford with a B.S. in Psychology.  Zach’s background in psychology and managerial experience has allowed him to assess the specific needs of other people. No two students are exactly alike, as each brings his or her own unique personality, talents, and goals to the admissions process.

 

Can’t wait until the event to meet with us? Contact us today and schedule your 1-hour personalized college planning session!

 

We are looking forward to meeting you! 

Team Insight

Make the MOST of your high school freshman year

Are you a middle schooler planning for (looking forward to) high school? Or are you a high schooler who is excited to be back in your school again? Now that you are settling into high school. Let’s get ready for a fantastic year! During this Community Webinar, Insight Counselor Meilin Obinata will cover what essential skills you need to develop so that you can fully maximize your freshman in high school!

 

Grab Your FREE Ticket Now 

 

 

 

Join us and learn Everything You Need to Excel in High School!

A Free Virtual Community Seminar for prospective clients, hosted by INSIGHT EDUCATION! This seminar is great for families with 8th-10th graders. We will talk about how to transition from middle school and what you can do to set yourself up for a great academic year!

 

Date: Saturday, September 10, 2022

Time: 2:00pm – 3:00pm Pacific |  5:00pm – 6:00pm Eastern

Location: Insight Education via Zoom. Zoom details will be sent after you register!

 

CLICK HERE to RSVP Your Tickets

 

 

 

 

In this online seminar, we will cover

 

  • How to prepare to be at your best academically
  • Ways to manage stress and time management
  • How to choose the “right” classes and balance your extracurricular activities
  • How to enjoy your high school years!
  • And much, much more!

 

It’s not just the destination that matters – it’s how you get there. We’re here to help you make the most of high school! We look forward to connecting with you.

 

Can’t wait to see you at the webinar!

Team Insight