The Harbinger
Sophomore Food for Thought: Continued from the print issue.Thursday, August 16, 2007 By Katrina Cabrera
With three years of high school left and lots of work ahead, there is no time to slack off sophomore year. Now that the “freshman” title is gone, it is time to show MLEC what a sophomore can do. Do’s and Don’ts Do not “take a break” during the first marking period. This is the time teachers take to evaluate students. Start the year off with a bang. Often the first marking period is a breeze, so take advantage of it. Starting strong will create a rhythm for the rest of the school year. Keep in mind that a low GPA is hard to bring back up. A last minute rush to improve it is not usually too effective. With that said, do not procrastinate! Work that has the potential of being an “easy A,” will really help that GPA. Don’t let that “easy A” turn into an F. Prioritize and create good study habits. Assess the pros and cons of last year, this way bad habits can be shed, while introducing new and improved habits. Preparing for the SAT Early During the tenth grade year, sophomores have the opportunity to take the PSAT. This test serves as a practice and shows students what improvements need to be made. -Why is the SAT so Important? The Standard Assessment Test helps determine how qualified a student is to attend college. Extra curricular activities and a good GPA are not enough! Schools look closely at students’ test scores. Therefore, take advantage of the opportunity. Review the results of the practice test and improve in the needed areas. FCATs Last Year Once passed, sophomores say goodbye to FCAT. Math, Reading and Writing skills is all it takes to move on to junior year prepared for what is ahead. End the FCAT strong! Remember, not only does the test represent the students, it also represents the school. Over confidence can hurt the results. To prepare for the FCAT, look up tips and practice tests to improve your test taking skills. Become a Star at MLEC Become involved in school clubs and activities. MLEC offers great opportunities for students to show off their abilities. There are educational, as well as talent oriented clubs such as National Honors Society and Drama club. Here, students can get involved in the educational process as well as enjoy the experience. Following these tips will open the door for great opportunities in the future, and portfolios will show well-rounded candidates. Take action and prove to yourself how far your abilities can take you. |