This special report was written and distributed as part of my employment with Quantum Learning Network/SuperCamp, where I work as Social Media Manager. It was published as part of a marketing campaign and the original publication can be found online here.
Most students are not prepared for
college
By Mariah Gillespie
Social Media Manager, Quantum Learning Network
According to the
latest test scores shared by both the College Board and the ACT, most high
school students are not ready to face the rigorous academic demands of college.
Data released in September 2013 found that only 39% of ACT test-takers met
three or more college-readiness benchmarks in English, reading, science and
math. Nearly one third did not meet any at all. Similarly, the College Board
(producers of the SAT), reported that just 43% of students who took the SAT
received scores that indicated they are adequately prepared for college. Unfortunately,
this number has remained virtually unchanged for the last five years. According
to the National Assessment of Educational Progress, there is a “disturbing” lack
of improvement among the nation’s high school students throughout the past 40
years.
Top students may not be as prepared as you think
Even your top achieving students may
not be as prepared for college as you might hope or expect. In the United
States, 30% of college students drop out after their first year, and more than half
never graduate at all—regardless of what their grades were like when they
entered college. It could be dangerous to assume that straight-A students will
be as successful in college as they were in high school; students who jumped
through hoops and breezed through AP classes may find themselves struggling with
college-level courses. In addition, a lack of social and emotional skills in
top-performing students often makes the transition from a high school environment
to a more stressful college environment a difficult one.
Gen Yers have different study habits that may cost them in their academic
career
Junior high and high school students,
products of Generation Y, are wired 24/7. This is the first generation to grow
up with computers and the Internet; they’re comfortable with and adaptable to the
latest technologies. Constant exposure to the networked world allows them to retrieve
information instantaneously, and this has a profound impact on their learning
style—especially in problem-solving situations. Gen Yers create their own
documents and databases, use the web for researching and networking and place
high value in personal relationships. But technology can also provide distractions
that prevent students from doing what they need to do to get ahead. Instant
messaging, texting, tweeting and facebooking are readily available activities
that teens find difficult to switch off due to “fear of missing out.” This overwhelming
amount of information and distraction can lead to poor study habits such as
cramming for tests, studying with friends in an unproductive environment, googling
instead of researching and spending too much time on social media sites when
they should be studying.
Study strategies are imperative for academic success
To maximize true learning, it is
vital that students learn in an optimal and supportive learning environment.
Teens should have a designated study area of their own, quiet and away from
distractions. It should be well-lit and stocked with the necessary reference
books, writing materials, text books and notes. Research proves that listening
to certain types of classical music can optimize functions of the brain that
store and retrieve information, so a little Bach or Handel can go a long way. Students
will excel in the classroom if they are aware of the specific learning
strategies that can help them retain information taught in their classrooms.
Reading comprehension levels are at an all-time low
The College Board reports that SAT
reading scores for graduating high school seniors has reached the lowest point
in nearly four decades. Nationally, the reading score was 497, down 33 points
from 1972. Reading comprehension is an integral part of any student’s education,
and the ability to read quickly while maintaining comprehension gives students
the edge they need to be successful in the 21st century. Given the
demanding reading load of college courses, it is essential for college-bound
students to be able to read with focus and attention. They must learn to shift
their mental state and prepare their minds to access the appropriate brainwaves
for optimal learning. Valuable reading techniques, including superscanning
large amounts of content, using a visual guide and mind mapping, are not
readily taught but have been shown to greatly improve reading comprehension.
Writing skills are vital for school, work and communication
More than 75% of American students
who took a writing exam did not communicate effectively, despite having easy
access to a spell check, thesaurus and other word-processing tools. Being a
powerful writer is a priceless skill for both school and life. It’s one of the
top three most highly rated skills employers watch for, and 97% of executives rate
strong writing skills as absolutely essential or very important. The key to
successful writing is narrowing the gap between what’s in your mind and what’s
on the page in front of you. Some methods for bridging that gap include
fastwriting, mind mapping, clustering and writing “colorfully” to maximize the
impact of a story. These are proven techniques for improving writing and
communication skills. Students can jump-start the creative process by showing
rather than telling their story; in time, they will find their voice and
develop the writing skills they need in college and beyond.
Let’s face it: everyone has a different learning style
Every person has the potential to be smart
when given the proper tools, opportunities and support. The challenge is that people
learn differently, and when students find out how they learn, it accelerates their path to becoming smart.
Determining your personal learning style means knowing how what you experience
enters your brain and naturally makes sense to you. When you know that your
learning-style preference is visual (seeing), auditory (hearing) or kinesthetic
(movement/touching), you set yourself up for more success. Being aware of your
focus gives you valuable insight into your own reactions and will help you to learn
better.
What are your options to set your child up for success?
Summer learning loss often occurs
when students’ minds aren’t actively engaged in the months between school
years. This can have a profound, cumulative impact on momentum and on their academic
careers. Tutoring and summer school engages students in learning during the
summer months, but experts maintain that remedial summer school is not enough.
Instead, they advocate experiential summer learning programs that attract and
engage students to improve not just academic skills, but personal skills as
well.
Not all summer camps are created equal
When evaluating your options for
summer programs, choose carefully. There are all sorts of options out there,
from sports camps and technology classes to programs that are little more than
glorified babysitting. Choose the opportunity that will best prepare your child
for both immediate and future success. Look for programs that offer significant
increases in confidence and motivation that also arm them with proven academic
value. A little fun doesn’t hurt, either!
Imagine having an insurance policy that positions your child to be better
prepared for the academic and social demands of college and beyond.
College tuition and expenses cost
tens of thousands of dollars. Imagine taking out an insurance policy that would
protect your investment in the costs of your child’s education. Your best
solution is SuperCamp, the original
academic, life and career skills summer camp. For over 30 years, SuperCamp has
been the respected worldwide leader, with over 70,000 graduates. SuperCamp
programs enhance academic, leadership, communication and other essential skills
and will better prepare your child for college, the workplace and a compelling
future. SuperCamp offers 7, 8 and 10-day summer programs that allow students to
dive into three key areas that are essential in their schoolwork and for
college preparation.
Your child will discover how to study smarter, not harder.
Students learn a wide range of specialized
learning strategies applicable in any learning situation. Quantum Reading, for
example, helps students to increase their focus—which is crucial for
comprehension—making their reading more meaningful and memorable. Most
SuperCampers see a 200% increase in their reading speeds, and in many cases more
than 300%. This is just one part of the system of strategies that students
learn to habituate in place of old, ineffective study habits.
Avoid one of the biggest causes of college dropout.
Far too many high school students
fail to transition smoothly into college because they lack emotional and relationship
skills. At SuperCamp, students live in a college dorm room, eat in a campus
cafeteria, and are surrounded by a brand new group of friends from all around
the world. Separated from technology, students learn how to communicate without
a cell phone, iPad, or other electronic device in their hands. SuperCamp
teaches students communication strategies that build relationships, such as FIMAGE:
fear of image. Many teenagers spend too much time creating and preserving their
image. Students learn to move outside of their personal comfort zones and drop
their FIMAGE. These communication strategies create positive patterns that they
can apply to their lives both when they return home and when they go to
college.
Everyone is google-able. Do you like what you see?
Facebook, twitter, Instagram,
Snapchat and other social networks are integrated into many aspects of a 21st
century teen’s life. This generation of “digital natives” is all about sharing
everything they do, from eating breakfast to major events in their lives. SuperCamp
teaches teens the importance of representing oneself in a positive light, both
off and online. College recruiters and employers all look at online activity to
determine a student’s character. At SuperCamp, teens are given the support to
both understand the importance of and effectively manage their online reputations.
For more information, call 1-800-722-0072, ext. 200, to speak to
an enrollment counselor.
Written by Mariah Gillespie
Sources for information contained
within this special report can be found here.
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