By: Valerie Erde

While it’s true that colleges want to create a well-rounded class that brings together a mix of artists, athletes, and leaders in a range of areas, they also want students who, when they arrive on campus, are able to do the work and who will graduate in four years — not six or eight. 

It may be good for colleges’ wallets to have students attend for more than four years, but it’s not good for their rankings nor their reputation.  This is due in large part to the way the college rankings work. One of the areas measured by the U.S. News and World…

The grade point average (GPA) is an index of a student's academic performance and can be evaluated as a letter grade, percentage, or range. Traditionally, they are scored on a 4.0 scale. GPAs are good indicators of a student's classroom performance and academic aptitude during high school. Colleges consider academic performance the most important part of the application, looking at grades starting in freshman year. Therefore, it is in a student's best interest to work toward building a good GPA. 

To work toward a good GPA, it is essential to understand what qualifies as…

Technology is an integral part of our everyday life —we use it for work, entertainment, communication, information, and so much more. The use of technology has only increased with the pandemic, and this trend will not likely reverse. Hence it is essential that students begin practicing healthy technology usage starting at a young age.

Here is a framework for how you can help your child navigate technology usage at any age by separating out three distinct categories of technology use: time online for entertainment and personal use, time online for academic purposes, and…

By: Valerie Erde

GRADE INFLATION AND COLLEGE ADMISSIONS 

While it’s true that colleges want to create a well-rounded class that brings together a mix of artists, athletes, and leaders in a range of areas, they also want students who, when they arrive on campus, are able to do the work and who will graduate in four years — not six or eight. 

It may be good for colleges’ wallets to have students attend for more than four years, but it’s not good for their rankings nor their reputation.  This is due in large part to the way the college rankings work. One of…

By: Larry Liu, The Spike Lab

We all know how it feels to be motivated. It’s a state characterized by clarity, focus, and boundless energy. We’re willing to run through brick walls to achieve our goals. Yet for many high schoolers, it can be hard to tap into this feeling. And many parents who want to help operate under false beliefs about motivation. These beliefs can lead to actions that are counterproductive and ultimately de-motivating. And yet, self-motivation for students is important.

During my work at The Spike Lab, I’ve seen firsthand the huge benefits available to…

Most high schools offer multiple levels in the courses they offer. Usually the courses are standard, accelerated or honors, and AP (Advanced Placement). The conventional wisdom is that academically motivated students looking to apply to highly selective schools should take the most rigorous course load that is offered by their high schools. While this is true, and this is what college admissions officers say, it could be a conundrum for students that attend schools offering honors and AP courses in every subject. Is it necessary to take 8+ AP courses and all other honors courses? Are 4 to…

As students enter the middle school years, there is an increased emphasis on students' academic performance - how they do now will pave the way for their high school years. It is important that they need to begin cultivating habits and skills to engage with their academics effectively.  Hence, it is paramount that they lay a strong foundation on which to build their academic careers. Middle schoolers should make school a priority and build good academic skills and healthy work habits. Below, we have curated some of the essential skills that are helpful for middle schoolers to cultivate…

“Tracking" is a process in middle school wherein students are set on trajectories based on their grades and perceived abilities. Traditionally, students are broken into two or three different tracks. The tracking system is meant to provide students with a curriculum that matches their needs as a student. 

However, it can also cause a student to be slowed down due to a misconception in middle school. For example, a student may perform poorly in a math examination because they're used to the slower pace of learning in elementary school, not because they fundamentally struggle or don…

Finding the right academic support for a struggling student (and even for a motivated student looking to get ahead) is always a challenge. As we outlined in the Versed Guide to Tutoring Services, it is important to research the different options and find the right fit. From professional tutors with decades of experience to near peer high school tutors, you need to make sure that the tutor has the knowledge of the subject matter, knows how to teach and motivate students, and can connect with your student in ways that make each session productive and enjoyable.

That being said,…

Rather than adding more useless things to stockings that no one really needs, why not give teens something useful but with a twist? We have compiled a list of 25 items (likely to fit most large stockings that we have these days) that will help teens make studying, writing papers, and doing assignments more fun.

Fun Desk Toys

Speks Magnetic Balls - Mashable Smashable Buildable Fun Stress Relief Desk Toy

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073XWLZBV

Infinity Cube prime for Stress and Anxiety relief/

https://www.…