Is it time for your teen to take the ACT or SAT? If so, are they fully prepared? Are you looking for ways to help them gear up, both body and mind, before the test? When it comes to preparing for life after high school, does your teen struggle with planning and following through?
For teens, preparing for the ACT and SAT and planning for life after high school requires that they be organized and motivated to get things done on time. It can be overwhelming for teens to navigate the demands of high school AND planning for what they’ll be doing after graduation. Sometimes, they need a little help making a plan and successfully executing it. I reached out to educational consultant and speaker Laurie Genevish of My Ideal College and had her join me for another Dynamis Learning Academy Facebook Live where we discussed ways for teens to create a plan that includes developing task lists and setting dates and deadlines to get things done. Laurie works with parents and students to plan for life after high school. She incorporates her experience and extensive research to help students choose a major, career path, internships, and a college that will be a good fit for them.
Begin with the end in mind
Starting in the 9th grade, Laurie says that parents should be sitting down with their teen to begin talking about their ideas about what they want to do after high school graduation. She says to begin with the end in mind by having teens focus on a career, or what they want to do after high school, and then figure out what education and training they will need. Laurie recommends creating two task lists, one for career and the other for education, and have the teen define their goals and assign action items for each of them. The action items should include dates/deadlines and the time allotted for the items, when appropriate, and the details about the kind of support that the teen will need from parents to accomplish them. She points out that parents should let the teen take the lead in getting the tasks done, but that they should be there to provide guidance and support during the process. For example, if the teen is struggling with making a decision or figuring out how to move forward, parents should engage the teen in a conversation to talk it through and find solutions.
Here are Laurie’s tips for setting dates/deadline and following-through:
- Identify obstacles and areas where the teen feels stuck and doesn’t know what to do
- Find people with similar goals and support each other
- Get an accountability partner
- Parents should give nudges and offer support and suggestions as the teen needs it
- When the teen needs motivation, remind them of their why
- If the teen needs to make a change in their plan, help them pivot in a different direction
Laurie has a lot of information and resources available for parents and teens preparing for life after high school. To learn more ways on how to make your teen’s life easier, go here to read Laurie’s blog
Preparing for the ACT and SAT
To get ready for the ACT and SAT, teens should prepare their body and mind at least two weeks before their exam date. Parents can provide support and assist with their teen in several ways, like making sure that the teen is getting adequate sleep and exercise and that they are mentally prepared. I have developed a free SAT/ACT Essential Student Guide that lists more ways that teens can prepare to take the SAT and ACT.
Here are ways teens can prepare their body and mind for the ACT and SAT:
- Form time habits by waking up at the time you would for the actual exam (including weekends)
- Prepare supplies by purchasing them 2 weeks before your test and place them in a zipper pouch (no running around at the last minute for these items)
- Take a practice test a minimum of 1-2 weeks before your test and review the questions missed
- Maintain physical activity and resist the urge to add-in more study time to replace it
- Read affirmations immediately following a weekend of studying for the test
- Drive to the testing site on the Saturday prior to the exam at the time of your test
- Limit family distractions and prioritize study time at least 2 weeks before the test
When it comes to taking the ACT and SAT, planning is key. At Dynamis Learning Academy, we can help your teen in the areas of ACT and SAT preparation and college admission application essay writing through our partnerships. If your child is struggling with low ACT or SAT test scores or time management during the test, we have designed a program to address those needs. We can also assess and identify gaps in a student’s learning and address those areas with our qualified tutors.
We, at Dynamis Learning Academy, are here to help your teen prepare for life after high school graduation. Contact owner Helen Panos at helen@dynamislearningacademy.com or at 770-282-9931 to schedule a free consultation about the ACT/SAT Prep, college admission essay writing, or any other area of concern.
Helen is an expert educator with over 25 years of years of experience. She believes in the importance of helping children reach their potential and become well-rounded, intelligent citizens with a positive influence and impact on society. Helen assists parents in accessing the best skills, strategies, tools, and resources to help children be successful and ultimately excel in the world.
Is it time for your teen to take the ACT or SAT? If so, are they fully prepared? Are you looking for ways to help them gear up, both body and mind, before the test? When it comes to preparing for life after high school, does your teen struggle with planning and following through?
For teens, preparing for the ACT and SAT and planning for life after high school requires that they be organized and motivated to get things done on time. It can be overwhelming for teens to navigate the demands of high school AND planning for what they’ll be doing after graduation. Sometimes, they need a little help making a plan and successfully executing it. I reached out to educational consultant and speaker Laurie Genevish of My Ideal College and had her join me for another Dynamis Learning Academy Facebook Live where we discussed ways for teens to create a plan that includes developing task lists and setting dates and deadlines to get things done. Laurie works with parents and students to plan for life after high school. She incorporates her experience and extensive research to help students choose a major, career path, internships, and a college that will be a good fit for them.
Begin with the end in mind
Starting in the 9th grade, Laurie says that parents should be sitting down with their teen to begin talking about their ideas about what they want to do after high school graduation. She says to begin with the end in mind by having teens focus on a career, or what they want to do after high school, and then figure out what education and training they will need. Laurie recommends creating two task lists, one for career and the other for education, and have the teen define their goals and assign action items for each of them. The action items should include dates/deadlines and the time allotted for the items, when appropriate, and the details about the kind of support that the teen will need from parents to accomplish them. She points out that parents should let the teen take the lead in getting the tasks done, but that they should be there to provide guidance and support during the process. For example, if the teen is struggling with making a decision or figuring out how to move forward, parents should engage the teen in a conversation to talk it through and find solutions.
Here are Laurie’s tips for setting dates/deadline and following-through:
- Identify obstacles and areas where the teen feels stuck and doesn’t know what to do
- Find people with similar goals and support each other
- Get an accountability partner
- Parents should give nudges and offer support and suggestions as the teen needs it
- When the teen needs motivation, remind them of their why
- If the teen needs to make a change in their plan, help them pivot in a different direction
Laurie has a lot of information and resources available for parents and teens preparing for life after high school. To learn more ways on how to make your teen’s life easier, go here to read Laurie’s blog
Preparing for the ACT and SAT
To get ready for the ACT and SAT, teens should prepare their body and mind at least two weeks before their exam date. Parents can provide support and assist with their teen in several ways, like making sure that the teen is getting adequate sleep and exercise and that they are mentally prepared. I have developed a free SAT/ACT Essential Student Guide that lists more ways that teens can prepare to take the SAT and ACT.
Here are ways teens can prepare their body and mind for the ACT and SAT:
- Form time habits by waking up at the time you would for the actual exam (including weekends)
- Prepare supplies by purchasing them 2 weeks before your test and place them in a zipper pouch (no running around at the last minute for these items)
- Take a practice test a minimum of 1-2 weeks before your test and review the questions missed
- Maintain physical activity and resist the urge to add-in more study time to replace it
- Read affirmations immediately following a weekend of studying for the test
- Drive to the testing site on the Saturday prior to the exam at the time of your test
- Limit family distractions and prioritize study time at least 2 weeks before the test
When it comes to taking the ACT and SAT, planning is key. At Dynamis Learning Academy, we can help your teen in the areas of ACT and SAT preparation and college admission application essay writing through our partnerships. If your child is struggling with low ACT or SAT test scores or time management during the test, we have designed a program to address those needs. We can also assess and identify gaps in a student’s learning and address those areas with our qualified tutors.
We, at Dynamis Learning Academy, are here to help your teen prepare for life after high school graduation. Contact owner Helen Panos at helen@dynamislearningacademy.com or at 770-282-9931 to schedule a free consultation about the ACT/SAT Prep, college admission essay writing, or any other area of concern.
Helen is an expert educator with over 25 years of years of experience. She believes in the importance of helping children reach their potential and become well-rounded, intelligent citizens with a positive influence and impact on society. Helen assists parents in accessing the best skills, strategies, tools, and resources to help children be successful and ultimately excel in the world.