Advance Planning is the Key Ingredient for Success

Students, at all grade levels, should have a game plan for success – knowing what they are going to do, and when they are going to do it, in order to reach their goals.

Young students should try to identify their areas of academic interest and pursue experiences that will help them excel in later years.  For example, students who are passionate about science should join science-themed clubs at school and attend outside programs, year-round, at places throughout New Jersey like The Environmental Education Center, Franklin Mineral Museum, Trailside Nature & Science Center, InfoAge – Science History Learning Center and Museum, and, of course, The Liberty Science Center.

Middle school students who are adept at math should be sure to complete at least Algebra I (and possibly even Geometry) before moving onto high school.  Doing so will allow them to get through Calculus, and hopefully even an Advanced Placement math course, while in high school.  This is really an expectation for college bound students seeking to major in Engineering or any math intensive major at a top university.

High school students, including freshmen and sophomores, should take SAT II Subject Tests in the sciences as they complete each course, if they are hoping to attend one of the more competitive colleges for this field.  It is much easier for students to take the Biology, Chemistry, or Physics exam at the end of the school year in which they are taking the course (and preparing for their final exam) then to take it years later when they realize they may need it for college applications. 

Students should likewise plan for the all-important PSAT and SAT exams. While the junior year PSAT exam counts as the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Exam (NMSQE), many students also take the PSAT as sophomores, and even as freshmen, to gain the experience that will ultimately help them reach their highest potential.  

Since students are now able to pick and choose their highest SAT test scores to send to colleges, they should plan to prepare for, and start taking, the SAT early in their high school years.  This provides students with time to identify, and remediate, their areas of weakness, and finish taking the SAT in time to file “early” college applications that greatly increase their chances of acceptance.
Advance planning and preparing are key ingredients that help students attain their dreams and establish good habits for college and life.
  
Susan Alaimo is the founder of SAT Smart. For the past 25 years, SAT Smart’s Ivy League educated tutors have prepared students for the PSAT, SAT, ACT, Subject Tests, AP courses, and all high school subjects. Visit www.SATsmart.com or call 908-369-5362.