I hope everyone had a relaxing break and come in fresh for a 2 week push before finals (in the 3rd week back). I look forward to continuing to work with you to meet your academic goals/potential. This is a critical stretch we enter here in 2012. By this time next year you will be knee (or thigh or waist) deep in junior year, on the cusp of taking your SAT and ACT and a semester away from college applications (started in AVID class in spring of junior year). Your preparation now will prepare you for these not too distant academic challenges.

I encourage you as we enter the 2nd semester and then into the summer to create a plan for SAT/ACT study. I think weekend mornings are particularly good right now (30-60 minutes on each weekend day would be outstanding). Then, in the summer, you should ramp up your time commitment to SAT/ACT prep and some of you may even consider doing a prep class. We will commit to SAT prep on a weekly basis next year but an hour or two in AVID class should be a great supplement to additional spent at home (or even with an outside SAT prep class or tutor).

And while I am on the subject of the summer, plan to visit some universities this summer as part of a already planned summer vacation or as a college visit specific trip. There is no need to go crazy on this front but it’s really great to have a few visits under your belt so that by fall of senior year you have a nice idea of your likes and dislikes, and perhaps you’ll even see some schools that you’re excited to apply to!

Again, happy new year! This is a very exciting time of your life. I also know it can be stressful and so I am here to help you work through problems and I hope AVID helps to (sometimes) alleviate some of the stress that comes with being a high school student. Naturally, the biggest thing you can do to alleviate stress is to continue to plug away at the homework and be as proactive as possible with your studies. Let me know if you have any questions or if I can be of any assistance to you.