Ah summer, exams are over, SAT/ACT tests are done (for now) and hopefully your high schooler has caught up on sleep, had some down time and is working at a job, taking a class or engaged in a summer program. (Read more here if you need ideas). For rising Seniors, this is a critical […]
Graduation
I had the honor of attending a few high school graduations earlier this month. I love graduations; the joy, the pride and love that is shared amongst students, families and teachers is a wonderful thing to witness. I spend most of my time working with students counseling them and their families on making the right […]
A Tough Year for College Admissions
Hardly a day or article goes by without some reference to the college admissions scandal that has engulfed the entire admissions process nationally. Still, it is important to note that the number of “bad” players is really quite small (less than 100), but their impact is far greater. The bad news is that admissions will add […]
Student Loans 101
by Maurice Salter, ED.D Attending college is expensive. Students and their families work hard, save, and sacrifice to pay for a college education. And, the cost of college is not only the tuition or fees the institution charges. In fact the ancillary costs of housing, transportation, books, room and board plus incidentals (gotta have a […]
Exam Prep & Self Care
I talk a lot about studying and planning; taking care of yourself at this time of year is just as important. Are you getting enough sleep? I think mosts kids know the importance of this, but 6 hours is not enough sleep! 8-10 is ideal and the effect of sleep loss even over a few days […]
Lessons from Brené Brown
I watched Brené Brown’s Netflix show last night. I have read (and re-read) her books and love her Ted Talk. Her show on Netflix is like a highlight reel of her books peppered with her sense of humor and great storytelling. Take the time to watch it, it’s so worth it. Of course, I […]
Summer Plans
What did you do as a junior high and high school student during your summers? Camp? Summer job? Nothing? I was a life guard, and a camp counselor at the park near home in L.A.. It was the most exhausting, but fun job I’ve ever had. These days the summer options for junior high […]
College visits
One of the questions that comes up over and over is when should we do college visits, and how important are they? Here’s the thing, not everyone has the time or money required to visit every school on their list. Sometimes I think it’s more for facebook bragging rights than for meaningful visits to […]
Spring: Refreshing Good Study Habits
It’s hard to believe that after spring break we’ll be down to less than three months of school. How are your child’s study habits going? Students often start off the year with plans and guidelines around homework, but they don’t always maintain those habits. Spring is a perfect time for a refresh. How many of […]
Grit, Perseverance and Self-Control
What do Serena Williams, Russell Wilson, The Arizona Cardinals, Kobe Bryant and Jameis Winston all have in common? They have all been trained by Ryan Flaherty, who’s now the senior director of Performance at Nike. Ryan’s known in the industry for dramatically improving athletes speed, but he’s also sought out for his guidance on injury […]