Set a Goal – It is always good to set a goal for things that we do because it reminds us the reason behind doing these things. Surely doing your homework everyday will become a routine and eventually increases boredom. Set a goal that is realistic that your child will be able to achieve in a given period. For example, if your child has completed a week’s worth of homework he can play video games on weekends. Start with small goals and when a child grows the goals will evolve into something that is long term and serious. If a student graduates with honors from secondary school she will be able to apply for higher education in prestigious schools. If this is envisioned by the child he will be able to dream big and strive to fulfill that dream.

Plan – Setting a goal will be useless if you don’t lay out the ways on how you’ll do it. Discuss a sound plan on how to achieve the goals. Try to make alternative plans in case the first one fails, it’s always good to have a back up plan.

Optimize – Surround yourself with people with whom you share the same goals. This will help you keep your plans at work and your eye on the goal avoiding distractions that can cause you delay or to procrastinate.

Reward every once in a while – Reward doesn’t have to always be at the end of the road To cultivate self motivation teach your kids to reward themselves once in a while when they have reached significant milestones in their plan towards the goal.

The hardest part of studying is getting started. We always think of ways and reasons to procrastinate and set important tasks aside. One way of getting motivated will be to start right away, by doing this you have already accomplished half of the task now finishing it is where your will power and determination will be put to work.

Most of you would be surprised to know that not all Hollywood stars are school drop-outs. A beautiful face is not enough to ease your way to stardom as some of the most famous celebrity faces known for their glamour and good looks also has a college degree at hand. And besides good looks don’t last forever.

Among these pretty faces is Jodie Foster who enrolled in Yale and took Literature. She graduated with a B.A. degree and was awarded magna cum laude. The voluptuous catwoman, Halle Berry studied broadcast journalism in Cuyahoga Community College in Cleveland, Ohio. Friends star Courtney Cox graduated at Mount Vernon College finishing interior design and architecture.

Legally blonde movie actress, Reese Witherspoon, attended a university just like the character she played but not to study law rather to study English Literature at Stanford University. Behind the beautiful smiles of Natalie Portman lies an intelligent woman who graduated with a degree in Psychology from Harvard University. Alias star, Jennifer Garner attended Denison University studying chemistry and drama. Late night anchor comedian Conan O’Brien is an alumna of Harvard University and even in college he was already immersed in the comedy industry by being a contributing writer for the Harvard Lampoon humor magazine. Last but not the list on the Hollywood A-list would be the bombshell, Brooke Shields who proved that beauty is beyond skin deep one must have something to hold on to after the beauty fades away. She studied French literature and graduated with honors.

The most powerful and influential leaders of our time has endured endless nights in college too. United States President Obama graduated from Columbia University with Political Science as his major and took Law in Harvard Law School. He enjoyed many firsts as he became the first black president of the prestigious Harvard Law Review. Former president Bill Clinton was even on a scholarship in University of Oxford before he went to get his J.D. in Yale Law School. Warren Buffett, a successful American investor attended University of Nebraska-Lincoln where he received his diploma in just three years. He then applied to Harvard Business School but was rejected because he was too young. He finished his graduate studies in Columbia University.

Equally famous are sports athletes and many of the world renowned players we have are college graduates. To name a few, we have Tiger Woods who went to Stanford University but was not able to get his degree. Shaquille O’Neal got his degree from Louisiana State University and Michael Jordan who went to University of Carolina which he took up Geography. He left the university to enter into NBA but returned to finish his degree.

Many will contest that these famous stars and icons could have had made it big on their own using their talents, looks and skills alone but what most of them did was to finish their education and get that degree even though it looks as though they don’t need it anymore. Most people think that power, fame and success can replace the knowledge gained from school but we are mistaken, a good foundation will make a person standing tall when all the fame, beauty and opportunities fade away.

Educational Institutions are using technology to aid in enhancing student academic performance. From the development of the Internet which opened everyone to the information highway to these mobile gadgets you can take with you anywhere you go, the possibilities are endless.

The University of Leeds is giving away iPhones to its 500 medical students to access online text books. Smart phones are used to disseminate information like memos, notices and student schedules. Applications can be downloaded to smart phones anywhere there is a wi-fi internet connection. Useful applications range from Dictionaries, Language-specific dictionaries and medical encyclopedias. It is a vast collection of libraries at your fingertips.

Apple Microsoft leads in the development of mobile applications with their iPhone, iPad and iTouch. Their apps store offers a wide range of useful apps for students. Basically their gadgets offer access to the Internet when connected via wi-fi. Through the Internet you can download apps that can feed updates into your mobile device various information on news, health, entertainment and other stuff. Another feature of these smart phones is their one click access to your social networking sites. Getting connected is useful when you are studying in groups, working on research projects and consulting term papers with your professors.

Email helps students a lot in exchanging information and documents necessary for school. Almost all institutions have websites where online transactions can be made easily and hassle free. Imagine how technology has made the lives of our students easier so that they may focus on their academic courses and subjects all the more.

The University of Leeds has revolutionized its way of teaching and helping their young students embrace technology and learn to live with it making good use of it. The iPhones provided for the medical students should be returned once they graduate and if in case it is has been lost or stolen relative information stored in them can be remotely erased in cases where patient files and cases are stored and should be kept confidential.

Freshmen students at the University of Central Lancashire in Preston make use of the mobile applications to find make their way around campus. As new students they are often lost in between classes and they find themselves having a hard time locating buildings and classrooms. An application that serves as a map of the campus helps them to find their way to their next class in a breeze.

The craze about social networking sites such as Facebook, MySpace and Twitter are taking teenagers by the storm. Students are hyped with these sites as well, it’s even available on mobile cell phones to keep you connected virtually everywhere you go. If you live in the Stone Age and happen to raise an eyebrow reading this then let me tell you a bit about social networking.

Social Networking sites are web based applications that enables people to connect with other people by means of “befriending” them or adding them to your network. It is easy to get started. Sign up to an account with your email address, build your profile then search people you know on the Internet and invite them to sign up to the site as well. As you go along your list of friends grow and additional plugins and customization will enable you to receive updates about your friends from time to time on changes on their profile. At first you will be overwhelmed with all the things happening simultaneously on the site like the shout outs, comments, message boards and tags. As you get familiar around the site you’ll find yourself easily navigating through your friends’ profile pages and adding your own comments as well.

Social networks have gain popularity recently due to its easy to use features and social activity. It has made connecting to people whom you have lost contact with easy to track down and reach out to. Long lost high school buddies, relatives from all over the state and other countries are easily communicated by just a click of a button.

It is likely that many people can get addicted to using these social networking sites. Unfortunately among those highly affected by its widespread popularity are college students. Why? College students are almost always connected to the Internet as their studies and subjects require them to be, especially in cases of online education. These sites lure college students into engaging in social activity, gaining online friends which aren’t as real as your inner circle all the more exciting to play or have fun with. In your Facebook account you can be whatever you want to be, you post pictures of your best self and post shout outs of current events happening in your life. The problem most psychologists see in college students who get hooked with this virtual world is that there is a tendency of detachment to reality.

Social media addiction may well be a problem we will face if the craze of social networking goes on as students spend more time updating their Facebook profile that reading text books. If school work is ignored and students are glued into the computer monitor to get online on Facebook; post a tweet in Twitter or upload pictures in MySpace. Spending more than 2 hours a day on these social networking sites is bothersome especially if you can’t do your tasks and assignments anymore. Depriving yourself of sleep just to get on these social networking sites screams that you may already have a problem. Stop and assess yourself. Although getting in touch and staying connected is but all second nature to us humans we must know our limitations and boundaries in spending valuable time engaging in these social media, there are lots more important things to do that  needs our full attention like our studies and extra curricular activities. Moderation is the key just like in most things we enjoy. Set limits and boundaries to enable a healthy balance in life.

However, most scholars who evaluate these curricula do not believe that direct the work of schools in significant ways. Curricula-as-documents are more often than not developed after the fact, and are based on existing practices of teachers or a simple listing of the content of textbooks being used. Further, many teachers are not familiar with the curriculum their district has mandated.

From Woodberry Forest School, Woodberry Forest, Virginia

Honor System – “When you first visit Woodberry, you may be surprised to find books, jackets, and scooters left around campus while their owners take care of other business. When the boys return, their items will still be there. That is because of our legendary honor system, which prohibits lying, cheating, and stealing. The honor system is not an empty pledge at Woodberry. It is a way of life and a means for educating students about what it means to be honorable men.”

From McCallie School, Chattanooga, Tennessee

The Origin of the Senior Leadership Name – “In 1907, following the trend of other prep schools, McCallie students and faculty created a number of nonsensical cheers. The most popular was: Keo, Kio, Sis, Boom Zee; Meo, Mio, Rah, Rah, Rea; Zipity, Zapaty, Zee, Zum, Zee; McCallie, McCallie, McCall-ee. This cheer was the inspiration behind the naming of the senior leadership organization Keo-Kio.”

From Convent of the Sacred Heart, Greenwich, Connecticut

Community Service – “Community service is also an integral part of Convent of the Sacred Heart’s academic program. Under the supervision of the director of community service, each student selects and arranges to do a service project accessible from Convent of the Sacred Heart or her home. A yearly plan and an annual minimum of 25 hours are required.”

From Saint Mary’s School, Raleigh, North Carolina

Wednesday Community Night – “Every Wednesday night at Saint Mary’s School the on-campus residents get together for evening activities. Day students, faculty, and staff who want to attend are also invited for the festivities. This is often a seated meal with rotational assigned seating. Student leaders open the dinner with a prayer, read a selected message, and oversee announcements. Boarding students, on a rotational basis, work with the dining staff and act as servers.”

From First Baptist Academy, Houston, Texas

Talent Show – “Each spring students are given an opportunity to be in the spotlight in a variety show that includes dancing, singing, piano, juggling, and more.”

Note: Test site supervisors will not accept cash and scoring will be delayed if your Registration Form has not been properly completed. Allow two extra working days for score reports and telephone reports.

Q: Can I make changes to my registration?
A: Yes, contact the Operations Office at 1-800-446-0320 immediately to make any changes to your submitted form. Some changes, such as rescheduling a test date, may result in additional fees. Check the ISEE Student Guide for more complete information.

Q: Where is the test offered?
A: The test is offered in over thirty metropolitan areas across the country. The list of testing dates and locations is found in the ISEE Student Guide available through the school to which the student is applying or online.

Q: How long is the test?
A: The test is approximately three hours in length, not including time for reading directions and the two scheduled breaks.

Q: How often may I test?
A: You may test only once within a six-month period, and the exam may not be taken for practice.

Q: Are sample questions available?
A: Yes, sample questions are available in the ISEE publication, What to Expect on the ISEE. You can order this book online here, or on the order form that you can download here. Call (800) 446-0320 or (919) 956-8524 for more information.

Q: Do parents receive a copy of the score report?
A: Yes, parents automatically receive a copy of the child’s score report. Optional telephone reporting service is available to you for an additional $30 fee per recipient.

Q: How long does it take to receive the score report?
A: Schools and parents receive a copy of the score report approximately 7-10 business days after testing.

To view the complete reference, please click here.

The Secondary School Admission Test, or SSAT, is an admissions test administered to students in grades 5-11 to help determine placement into independent or private junior high and high schools. Despite its similarities, the SSAT is not related to the SAT Reasoning test and is not administered by the College Board.

There are two levels of the test: the Lower level for students in grades 5-7 and the Upper level, designed for students in grades 8-11. The SSAT consists of two parts: a brief essay and a multiple choice test that includes Mathematics, Reading Comprehension and Verbal sections. In all, there are five sections.

The test, written in English, is primarily administered in the United States and Canada at various test centers, which usually are independent schools. However, there are also test centers worldwide.

Reference and picture credits.

In addition to an academic curriculum that features a combined thirty-eight Advanced Placement (AP) offerings and honors courses, all students participate in an extracurricular program that includes athletics, drama, music, dance, community service, and an extensive outdoor program. The class size averages between ten and twelve students.

The student body of 265 students (83 percent are boarders) comes from twenty-three states and thirteen countries and is both academically talented and diverse.

Some Quick Facts:

Cate’s student body is recognized as much for its talent—academic, artistic, and athletic—as it is for its warmth and vitality.

Admission

> Inquiries received yearly for admission: 2,000
> Interviews conducted yearly for admission: 450
> Applications submitted yearly for admission: 450
> New students enrolled yearly: 75-80
> General median SSAT total percentile of new students: 80th

Student Body

> Total students: 265 (220 boarders / 45 day)
> Boarding students from outside California: 43%
> Boarding students from abroad: 19%
> Students of color: 41%
> Students who receive need-based financial aid: Almost 30%
> Financial aid allocated for 2006/2007: $2,000,000
> Foreign Nations represented in student body (by home address): England, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Jamaica, Japan, Korea, Macau, Nigeria, Northern Ireland, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand
> States represented in student body (by home address): AK, AZ, CA, CO, CT, ID, IL, LA, MA, MD, MT, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OR, PA, RI, TX, UT, VA, WA

Academics and Colleges

> 2006 National Merit Commended Scholars: 13
> 2006 National Merit Finalists: 5
> Median SAT of Class of 2006: 1310
> Mid-50% SAT range of Class of 2006: 1200-1390
> Student-teacher ratio is 5:1
> 101 courses offered
> 19 AP and 19 honors courses offered
> Average class size: 10-12 students
> Directed studies offered in most disciplines
> Most popular college selections of Cate graduates over past 4 years:

>> University of Southern California (15)
>> University of California, Berkeley (14)
>> Princeton University (7)
>> New York University (7)
>> University of Colorado (7)
>> University of California, San Diego (6)
>> Loyola Marymount (6)
>> Columbia University (5)
>> Yale University (5)
>> University of California, Santa Cruz (5)

Reference and Official Website.