Peninsula SAT prep at it’s finest! Like the ACT better? Peninsula ACT Prep has never been better.
Welcome back to school We are so pumped that Peninsula AVID is back up and running in full swing. Study Hut has been collaborating with the AVID program and delivering tutorials to the AVID students for many years now. AVID takes place every Thursday from 10am-12noon with six tutors from our Redondo Beach Location that are hand picked to attend the AVID and test prep training and help students improve upon their test prep skills. We have all four grade levels that participate and each grade level has two class periods for AVID since Peninsula has a block schedule.
During the AVID classes, each student comes prepared with their tutorial form filled out with their question or information that they want to review or understand better. Each student has a chance to get up and present their question to their small groups and then the tutor will help answer any questions needed while the other students take notes and participate in the discussion. Each student gets about 5-6 minutes for their individual question which makes the hour go by quickly once each student has presented.
We are able to track students progress and the students get points for their achievements, being engaging and participating in the group lessons. Another awesome collaboration we have going on with Peninsula is that a Study Hut manager along side a teacher lead Peninsula SAT prep as well as Peninsula ACT prep.
There are about 25 students that are taught by one manager and one teacher that receive instruction and receive homework assignments to complete and to help track their growth. The sophomores receive test Peninsula SAT prep once per month and the juniors receive Peninsula ACT prep help once per week. We use an online system that we use in office that helps track progress and makes for a smooth class and easy way to generate the information needed. The manager will help with the Math portion of the test prep and the teacher will help with the English portion of the test prep. We are very excited for the school year and to see many familiar faces around campus!
Study Hut Tutoring offers free practice SAT and ACT exams. It is important to know that tackling the SAT or ACT can be a daunting challenge for many students. Performing to the best of one’s availability is vital in order to strive for acceptance to increasingly competitive colleges and universities. Students are often unaware of how to effectively prepare for the SAT or ACT. Rest assured, Study Hut Tutoring in El Segundo is here to offer guidance and support through tailored test prep tutoring and free SAT and ACT practice tests.
In order to provide our students with specialized, tailored test ACT and SAT tutoring sessions, we encourage our students to complete a full length, free SAT or ACT practice test. We then critically analyze the results and prepare a tutoring plan tailored to our students, emphasizing focus on areas of potential improvement. As we move through scheduled tutoring sessions, students will return to take additional free SAT or ACT practice tests, which allows us to check our progress in real time and shift focus when the need is indicated by performance.
In addition to reviewing specific concepts and learning new strategies and test taking techniques, exercising to build test taking endurance is crucial. The SAT and ACT are each about four hours long. No matter how you cut it, four hours is a long time to maintain focus, flex cognitive abilities, and perform at a consistently high level. By completing free SAT or ACT practice tests, Study Hut students develop their ability to persevere through mental fatigue. Without a simulated experience made possible by full length practice tests, improving endurance is difficult, and Study Hut is pleased to offer this service to our students.
The fall SAT and ACT are approaching quickly, and here at Study Hut we are eager to see the performance of our prepared students and to observe them flourish. Having completed a personalized test prep plan, in conjunction with effective independent study and the completion of multiple SAT or ACT practice tests, our students will be confident and prepared to rise to the challenge on test day and endure through fatigue and difficulty.
Study Hut Tutoring is excited to announce that several tutors from our team in Newport Beach were able to attend JSerra Catholic High School’s annual College Fair this evening. Students from JSerra and other surrounding Orange County high schools came together to learn about different colleges and career options.
While refreshments were abundant and the mood was undoubtedly jovial, most of the students in attendance at JSerra were quite serious. After all, the College Fair is a rare opportunity to meet college admissions officers in person, and the impression that a student makes can actually have quite an impact on his or her admissions chances. While some universities send alumni representatives, many schools’ admissions officers that will be the actual decision-makers when student applications are submitted were present, fielded questions and met potential applicants. The JSerra College Fair was, therefore, a courteous yet competitive outing, with each student attempting to put his or her best foot forward. We saw some very well dressed students in attendance, ready to make a great impression.
So what was Study Hut Tutoring doing at the College Fair? Was this just another event to grab a booth at the carnival and pass out candy? Absolutely not. While most students at a College Fair are likely not roaming the crowd looking for a math tutor or a writing tutor in Newport Beach (our closest office), many have questions about SAT training, ACT tutoring, and the entire college admissions process. That is where Study Hut comes in; we know the process and we are familiar with the ins-and-outs of navigating most university websites and application forms. We were able to help current students and new students to better understand what the college application process looks like, from essay writing and collecting Letters of Recommendation to scholarship searching and submitting test scores. Of course, if you have any questions or need any help, we are here for you!
The attendance was high for the JSerra College Fair last night!
As summer in El Segundo arrives and the school year comes to an end, Study Hut is relishing the achievements of our students and looking forward to summertime and the next school year. The 2014-2015 academic year has been exciting and enjoyable for Study Hut, El Segundo. We take great pride in seeing the growth and progress of our students as they strive to reach their academic goals, and we put forth our best effort to assist them every step of the way.
This school year we served local El Segundo School District students from El Segundo High School, El Segundo Middle School, Center Street School, and Richmond Street School. We also had the privilege of working with students from the surrounding districts of LAUSD, MBUSD, and RBUSD, coming from Mira Costa High, Redondo Union High, Reseda High, Manhattan Beach Middle School, and Parras Middle School. Additionally, we had some wonderful students from the local private schools Vistamar, St. John Bosco, Bishop Montgomery, Loyola, and Chadwick.
Working with such a wide variety of students and school districts has been a wonderful way for us to grow as a service: broadening our knowledge of varying curriculums and school expectations. Whether we were working with a 3rd grader on Common Core math enrichment and reading comprehension, or helping a high school Junior succeed in challenging Spanish and calculus classes, we have been able to exceed expectations and propel students to new heights in their personal academic success. We also enjoyed working with El Segundo High this school year by administering, proctoring, and reviewing full-length practice SATs and ACTs for our local students, creating a valuable resource to them as they strive to achieve their best result on these crucial tests. Now that summer in El Segundo has arrived, we are enjoying a brief respite from the rigours of the academic year, and refocusing our energy to best assist our summer students.
We will continue to work with students through the summer in El Segundo, concentrating on varying areas determined by student need. The waning obligations of summertime offers a great opportunity for students to get a head start on upcoming classes with one-on-one tutoring. Our summer students will be introduced to forthcoming concepts, solidify fundamentals while enriching current understanding, and/or undertake a test preparation program to improve on the SAT and/or ACT. For our incoming Seniors, summer is a great time to make the final push for a solid SAT/ACT score in the fall, and to begin working with a tutor to develop a plan of attack for college applications and their entailing essays and personal statements. Regardless of the specific focus, summer tutoring is an excellent way for students to stay engaged and enter the upcoming school year with a smooth transition to more advanced coursework.
We look forward to continuing to serve El Segundo and the surrounding communities through the summer and next school year. Check out the Hut!
After a fantastic 2014-2015 school year in Manhattan Beach, Mira Costa students are about to enjoy some fun in the sun. While many have finished their SAT and ACT exams, others are starting summer school. So for those of you who have to spend some morning time in the classroom, Study Hut Tutoring is here for you after class, at our new summer location: 1208 Artesia Blvd. in Hermosa Beach, across the street from Mira Costa High School.
Our geometry tutors are standing by– we are available for hourly sessions Monday through Friday from 9am to 7pm. Whether you are getting ahead and taking Modern World History or US history, we have the local experts and books you need in order to earn A’s over summer. It is important to get off on the right foot because the summer classes are especially condensed, often only 4-6 weeks long. If it’s algebra tutoring you need, our top people are locked and loaded, ready to go.
Mira Costa High School isn’t the only school letting loose. Students from Manhattan Beach Middle School are “free at last” from the rigors of Mr. Rucker’s Boulder, Mrs. Luke’s math homework and early morning tutoring sessions on Late Start Wednesdays. Now that school is out, a lot of students are coming to Study Hut Tutoring for summer tutoring in Manhattan Beach to brush up on their pre-algebra skills, five paragraph essay writing, and Spanish verbs. These basics are quintessential to earning top marks in the fall. While buoy swims are equally as important for the body, the mind requires specific tuning in order to test well in early September.
For those students who have just wrapped up their last days at Grandview Elementary, Pacific Elementary, Robinson Elementary, and Pennykamp Elementary, there is a real transition that lies ahead as they enter into Manhattan Beach Middle School. Now more than ever, incoming 6th graders will be put to the test. But not to worry, Study Hut Tutoring is in your corner, having just helped a plethora of students with wide ranging needs, we are ready to help you tackle these challenges: we have the books, we know the curriculum, and you’re going to have a ton of fun knockin’ it out with us. Come in for engaging summer tutoring in Manhattan Beach to keep your mind fresh!
For many students, Study Hut is not just their tutoring center, it’s almost like another home, especially Study Hut Seniors. They have come here for many years, and formed special bonds with their tutors. Their tutors have seen them through their most difficult tests and most impressive triumphs.
One special pair is Laura and her student Kelly. Kelly looks up to Laura like a big sister, and has spent the majority of her high school career as Laura’s student. Together the duo have tackled monstrous English essays for Kelly’s challenging AP Literature classes. Some nights Kelly would come in for hours and Laura would stay late just to make sure that every last line was absolutely perfect.
When it was time to work on test prep, Kelly didn’t want to work with anyone but Laura. This gave her an extra advantage because Laura was already familiar with Kelly’s learning style, so she was able to tailor their sessions so that Kelly could get the most out of them. Laura also knew how to present difficult content and the techniques for mastering the ACT in a way that was easy for Kelly to digest and practice. Working together, they were able to raise Kelly’s score.
Kelly also trusted Laura to help her on her final leg of college apps. From college application essays to the grueling senior capstone project, they have worked on everything together. They are both going to be so heartbroken when Kelly’s days at Study Hut come to an end. However, both of them are incredibly excited for Kelly’s promising future in the highly competitive USC Thornton School of Music.
The summer is an excellent time for students to get started or finish up their preparation for the SAT or ACT standardized tests. Study Hut Summer Test Prep offers both one-on-one private tutoring and small group classes for each test. Students can even continue with private one-on-one tutoring after completing the group class.
Summer is a great time for test preparation for a variety of reasons. The most obvious reason is that students do not have regular schooling during the summer. Even if they are enrolled in summer school, the days are normally a few hours shorter than the normal academic school year. This gives students more time to focus on doing their test prep homework, and they will not be stressed about other assignments during their tutoring sessions. Many times students can see the preparation as an extracurricular during the school year, and let it take second priority to their normal coursework. Starting preparation over the summer circumvents this problem.
Another great reason to start preparation over summer is because there is usually an SAT test and an ACT test issued in May or June. Students can take the real thing and see what their initial starting score is. Then they know how much they want to improve and the level of commitment they are going to have to make. Another test is given around September, so students can take it before the new school year gets too hectic. This is perfect because they will be focused and refreshed, rather than frazzled like at the end of the school year.
Give us a call to learn about our rates and enroll in summer classes.
With the competition for college admissions getting more and more competitive by the year, high scores on the SAT and ACT standardized tests are becoming increasingly important. At Study Hut, we offer SAT and ACT small group classes that are limited to no more than ten students, as well as private one-on-one tutoring. For students who get easily distracted in a group environment or for those who just want extra practice, one-on-one tutoring is a great route.
Melanie came in once a week to work with her tutor Charlsey. She quickly realized that the time she was meeting was too late, and she was too tired to focus properly. She switched her time to earlier in the week with Laura. Laura and Melanie covered basic strategies for the critical reading, math, and writing sections, as well as the general structure for an SAT essay. She took a diagnostic test a few weeks into her test preparation package and she had already gone up one hundred points.
Allie worked with her tutor Charlsey to work on raising her SAT score. She originally was debating between the SAT and ACT and ended up settling on the SAT. She had good scores but wanted to work on fine tuning some of her weaker topics. She came in every week and did her online homework. She took regular diagnostics to see how her score was rising. She took the real SAT and saw her score on the math section improve by over one hundred points! She plans on taking another SAT after she completes her test preparation package so she can improve her scores further.
Take as many practice tests as you possibly can! The general types of questions on the SAT are usually very similar to previous tests, although the passages that you are being asked to answer questions on will differ. This will help you become familiar with the format of the questions on the test, and what specifically they are asking for. It really helps to recognize these patterns on the more difficult questions!
Go in With a Strategy
Every person’s strategy will be different for the SAT depending on his or her strengths. There are a few general things to keep in mind that are applicable to all students. First, remember that there is a guessing penalty on the SAT. Unlike the ACT, the SAT takes off one quarter of a point for every incorrect guess. It is usually not in your best interest to answer every single question on the SAT. If you can narrow it down to two answers that seem like they can work, it may be worth it to try and guess, but if you have no idea what the question is asking you should skip it.
Be Prepared
It would be a total bummer to go through all your test preparation and then have your score be affected because your calculator died or you didn’t have a good eraser. Make sure to always bring a back up calculator and all the supplies/identification you need on test day. If you haven’t started preparing for the SAT, come take a diagnostic practice test at Study Hut! We can figure out a personalized package and program to get you your best score!
It’s that time of year again! School bells are ringing and classes are officially back in session. Sharpen your pencils, change your calculator batteries and dust off your backpack. Check the shopping list from your teachers and fill in any gaps. Some important things to remember:
-A planner! Arguably the most important thing you need for the year. A planner will keep you organized and ahead of the game all year, and take the stress out of trying to remember assignments and due dates.
-Highlighters. These are great for critical reading when you need to mark passages or important quotes, or for marking your answers in math
-Sticky Notes. Need to remember a page in a textbook? Mark a date in the planner? Make a to-do list? Remind yourself about anything? These will do the trick without damaging your books.
-Hole punch. Papers aren’t going to fit in your binder without one of these! Really useful if you hate your assignments flying out of your binder or getting crumpled in the bottom of a backpack.
-Colored pens. Using different colors to make notes or color coding your outlines and flashcards will keep you organized and help with recall later.
And most importantly, schedule your tutoring sessions! The Study Hut is gearing up for the school year, with some fresh new faces and a lot of new school supplies. Things are already getting crazy here, the first round of tests are coming up fast! Whether you need an extra push with schoolwork or want to practice for standardized tests, we are here for you. We have several diagnostic tests coming up for SATs and ACTs, as well at tutoring in all subjects. Need help in math? Got an essay to write and don’t know where to start? Just want to get ahead? Come on by! Our goal is to help students be successful.
