College Admission Changes
You are getting ready to go into your senior year of high school….you have your college picked out and then realize you need the dreaded SAT and ACT scores to apply. You begin to sweat and panic that you now have to sign up and take the exam. You ask yourself...how am I supposed to take this test during a pandemic? Think again! Several universities are beginning to wave their requirement for 2021 to not include SAT and ACT scores.
Although not all universities are waving this requirement just yet, several are and you should be on the lookout for your school. The schools who are forgoing these exams feel that they cannot comprehend what students and families are enduring during this pandemic and the last things students should be concerned about are standardized tests. This is a strange time for everyone and being flexible and changing the way of doing things is the only way we are all going to get through this together. This will reduce a great deal of stress not only on the students but the families. They will not have to worry about the cost of the exam as well as being able to find a time slot to complete the exam from home.
In addition to the anxiety of having to take the exam, there are less opportunities to schedule the exam due to the Coronavirus. If you are lucky enough to find an open slot, most places are allowing you to take the test from home. However, this can pose other challenges, with technical issues, lack of quiet space or any other potential issues that may arise while being home.
Each college is in the position of making their own decision regarding the requirements of waving the SAT/ACT scores to be accepted. Read this article for additional information.
https://www.nytimes.com/article/sat-act-test-optional-colleges-coronavirus.html
How to Support Your Student from Home
We are now in a new phase of life where “work from home” is the new “normal.” This can cause a great deal of anxiety and difficulty focusing. We are a routine driven society and now that our routines have been “thrown out the window” a lack of focus is expected. However, there are ways to help with regaining focus and attention, whether students have learning differences like ADHD or not.
As a parent or educator, it is essential to develop habits and routines to allow students to perform their best. Please see below for tips on how to help your student stay focused and support them during difficult times.
Think about your feelings working from home and the challenges and uncertainty it has brought up for you. Allow yourself to express that with your student which will encourage them to tell you how they feel. Empathizing with them and helping them feel understood will allow them to come up with a solution with your guidance.
Here are a few things we we recommend:
Set a routine and schedule for every day. Have this posted where the student is working as well as other places in the home to ensure they stay on schedule.
Sometimes time can “get away” from us. Help them use a visual timer to be mindful of their time.
Have all their materials ready and in reach.
Allow short breaks frequently.
Give clear instructions on your expectations.
Break projects into smaller, more manageable chunks.
Always stay calm and encouraging, we are all trying to navigate this tough time and it is overwhelming for everyone. When giving feedback ensure it is always positive which will help with motivation. Use phrases such as:
“I see how hard you are trying. You can do this.”
“Let’s set the timer. I am looking forward to seeing how it turns out when you are finished.”
This time gives us the opportunity to practice and strengthen their executive functioning skills. With our guidance and leadership, they are becoming more independent by completing things on their own. Since children are not born with these skills, the adults in their lives create the opportunities and environment to practice these skills. We hope this advice helps you support your students. For more information on finding a one-on-one academic coach, please visit our website.