8
Features
September 30, 2013 Parkway North High School
Parkway North Students, Staff Share Ways to Prepare for PSAT Gianna Sparks
O
Centerspread Editor
n Oct. 16, 2013, juniors and sophomores throughout the United States will take the Practice SAT known as the PSAT. While their reasons for taking the test may vary, one thing is for sure, preparation for the test is the key to success. “There are several reasons [to take the PSAT]. One reason is because it provides general practice of standardized test format, which can help to decrease student’s anxiety about [standardized tests]” said junior principal Dr. Rhonda Page. The PSAT is very similar to the SAT in both style and material covered. While there are some differences between the two tests, such as absence of a written essay on the PSAT and a difference in the number of sections, taking the practice test is one of the best ways to prepare for the SAT. College counselor Christy Wills added that some students take the PSAT to earn money for college. “Students who score well can get National Merit [scholarships], so that can mean a full ride,” said Wills. The PSAT is also known as the NMSQT or National Merit Scholarship qualification test. Of the approximately 1.5 million students, 50,000 with the highest scores go on to be commended or become semifinalists. Of the 16,000 semifinalists, 15,000 become finalists with 8,300 going on to become
Merit Scholarships. The National Merit Scholarship Corporation also has special scholarships and recognition for high scoring African-American and Hispanic students. Even if a student doesn’t receive financial aid directly from the National Merit Scholarship foundation, earning a high score could earn a student financial aid through the college of their choice. “The curriculum in the Midwest doesn’t teach to the [SAT] test, but there are many way to study…there are books for about $18, [and] for students who’ve tested in the 85 percentile or higher, [many] choose private tutoring,” said Wills. Additionally, some students prefer classes, in which strategies for the test are taught, rather than studying on their own. These are offered both online and in person, are taught by certified instructors, and range from fundamental to intensive courses. A variety of companies offer courses, including the Princeton Review, Kaplan, and others. While these classes can cost hundreds of dollars, there are other ways that students can use to prepare for the test that won’t cost as much money. “In preparation for the SAT and PSAT, I’m taking Princeton Review Classes where I learn how to attack the questions,” said junior Olukemisola Ola. Many companies, such as the Princeton Review, Kaplan, and Barron have books designed specifically for students preparing for the SAT or PSAT, as well as many
other standardized tests. These books are relatively cheap and offer different strategies that students can utilize when taking the test, as well as practice questions to help students become familiar with the structure of the test. “[Students can also use] the College Board website and the practice booklet. They are both good resources,” said Wills. Although there are plenty of options that cost money, there are also a variety of ways to prepare for free. The College Board website has one free practice SAT exam, as well as different sample questions, and even a question of the day that students can use in preparation for the test. When signing up for the exam, students are also given a booklet with sample questions and an additional sample test that they can use to study. By utilizing these resources, students are bound to become better prepared and score higher. Finally, even if students choose to take the test cold and not study, following a few simple tips the night and morning of the test can help them to be in tip top shape for test day. “Get a good night sleep and eat a good breakfast,” said Page, “and remember anything that you have done academically prepares you [for the test].” Students can sign up for the PSAT in the bookstore. The cost is 18 dollars; juniors can sign up now and sophomores can sign up beginning on Oct. 2. See Babitz in guidance with any questions.
Study Tips 1) Get to know the test. Practice answering the types of questions asked on the test. 2) Read. Reading good literature is one of the best ways to prep for the critical reading section on the test. 3) Work on vocabulary. Having a good vocabulary can help boost your critical reading score. 4) Take a practice test. Taking a full-length practice test will not only make you familiar with the test format in general, but also highlight the areas in which you need to improve. 5) Study strategically. Concentrate especially on the subject that your doing the worst on, but don’t neglect studying everything else.
Stress, Money, Academics
Parkway North Students Balance Work, School
A
Staff Writer
Junior Darien Lee putting the finishing touches on his customer’s turtle sundae.
it teaches responsibility and life lessons. Students say that they learn how to be much more social with other people that they normally wouldn’t have to talk to and have to handle situations they may not be used to.
Junior Rebecca Howard said, “I learned a lot of social skills and more manners.” Lee said, “I learn to use a very professional attitude; it teaches me a lot of leadership skills.” Parkway North students also like the people who they are surrounded with at their job making their work more enjoyable. Lee said, “I like working where I work because we have a lot of nice people working there.” Griffin said, “I like interacting with the residents.” Applying for jobs during the summer can be quite difficult, due to the fact that the number of applications increase. This means other high school students are competing to get the same job, while college students come home and then get re-hired from their previous job. Being able to work during the school year and applying for a job before school is out for the summer can help one get and maintain a job at a place that is fun with flexible hours. Howard, who works at California Pizza Kitchen, said, “It wasn’t hard to get the job; it took about a weekend.” Counselors were given the permission to give out workers permits for those students who have a job but are under 16 years old. The purpose of a workers permit is to allow students to drive to school if they have a job to get to afterwards. Authur said, “I am generally against it because most 15-year-olds do not ‘need’ an income.” While a job may affect a students schedule, they learn time management and valuable life lessons from being in a work
environment. Authur said, “Students learn time management, money management, and learn to take instructions from others.” Balancing a job and school can be done if students are willing to prioritize their time and goals. Photo by Carly Steffen
s high school students become more independent, they take on more responsibility and need money for the things they want and need. Parkway North students balance school and work to save up for college and other expenses they encounter along the way, while carrying other responsibilities at home. Counselor Paul Authur said, “Most of the time, it’s a good idea for high schoolers to have jobs, as long as they put academics first.” Senior Damonté Griffin, who works at St. Charles Nursing Home, said, “I earn money from my job, so then I can buy the items I want.” According to the U.S. Census, 1 in 4 high school students have jobs. However, this may cause issues with school work. “I don’t have a lot of time to do my homework,” said Griffin. He also said a job puts on a lot more pressure since he has to prioritize his time at work and school with his time with friends and family. Time management is key to maintaining a job as a student. Students at North appreciate a boss who is flexible when it comes to giving their workers enough time to get homework done after school; however, it is different at every workplace. Junior Darien Lee said he worked every day during the summer but changed his schedule to working weekends only so he could focus on school during the week. Although having a job can be stressful,
Photo by Carly Steffen
Carly Steffen
Junior Darien Lee and Senior Clare McAuley prepare delicious desserts for customers.
September 30, 2013 Parkway North High School
9
Features
Brianne Lewis
S
Ad Manager
chool. Cheerleading. Student Government. Social Justice. Social life. This is the everyday life of junior Jamie David. Like most juniors and seniors, clubs and grades are the main focus of their lives. But in order to stay balanced, organization is a huge factor to keep a schedule in check. “I feel like I am still learning how to manage my time. I procrastinate a lot, but now I know if I have a big project, I have to do it right away,” said David. To be junior class president there are high levels of commitment and dedication on top of being organized. “[The junior class president] is in charge of a lot of planning for Homecoming for their class. They have to organize a service project and a liaison between the junior class and Dr. Page [junior class principal],” said student government sponsor Bob Mckitrick. The junior class president is also in charge of their grade level Homecoming activities such as a float that is the parade. School can be very stressful for most students. Most students are preparing for ACT Test, College Prep Courses and also volunteer. Some try to escape the madness by hanging out with friends or listening to music.
“I like to hang out with my friends and my boyfriend, and just chill and watch a movie. Also, I like to vent to whomever I am with. I tell them what’s annoying me at the time or just bothering me. Friends and family help,” said David. Jamie David also volunteers at Lincoln Jordan Hospital for a service called PHRS which stands for Pediatric Health related services. She plays with toddlers and also does physical therapy with children. “I play with infants and toddlers to make kids feel like normal kids,” said Jamie David. For most high school students, the every day routine is to get up, go to school, participate in after school activities, check social media, eat, and sleep. Most students stay up hours doing homework. “I have to wake up a 5:30 a.m., get ready got to Giant steps at 6:30, a.m. and go to school. I have cheer after that until 5:30 p.m. (which I’m tired), by then. I get home, have dinner, and I stay up until 11:00 p.m. doing homework,” said David. To succeed in all of these activities, students have to be organized. “Jamie is very organized. She is involved with 8,000 different clubs and activities in and out school. She is very good at it because she has figured out the proper way to have all the those balances and to use her time wisely in and out of
school so homework gets completed, practice gets completed, and her volunteered gets completed,” said varsity cheerleading coach Don Thomas. Cheerleading takes up a lot of a students time between practices and football and soccer games to attend. Many students have a lot of activities they participate in such as sports, honor societies, and musical groups in their daily lives, but everyone has a favorite that makes their high school experience more meaningful for them just as David does. “Even though after Homecoming we don’t do as much Student Government, we get the most out of high school. Even though it is stressful, you see all these people working together striving for that one thing at the end of the week. It’s kind of cool to be that person that leads them. It’s a good feeling,” said David. Jamie David has been in student government since middle school. She has been the grade level president since freshman year. In everyone’s daily life, there is one thing that is the most stressful out all the things that they participate in. For most high school students, it is not the extracurricular activities, it is homework. “Once I get home, I hate having to do more work. I am never motivated to do it. I want that break from homework and school;
Photo by Brianne Lewis
A Day in the Life of Jamie David
Junior Jamie David practices cheer routine for homecoming pep rally.
it’s just a never ending cycle,” said David. David’s life, like other students, is hectic. She is a cheerleader, junior class president, and soccer player, among other things. Over the past three years, she has figured out how to organize her everyday life to make things a little bit easier and hopes to apply this knowledge in the future.
Your career begins here. Call Grabber School of Hair Design today to schedule a tour of our NEW facility.
314.966.8888 Day or evening classes...Cosmetology or Nail Tech Cutting-edge equipment and expert instruction Federal grants and loans for those who qualify Scholarships available...every student eligible
Open to the public for Salon Services
Go to GrabberSchool.edu to watch our :30 commercial. Plus, take a Virtual Tour of our new facility.
Grabber
school of hair design
9833 Watson Road • St. Louis, Missouri 63126 314.966.8888 • www.GrabberSchool.edu