Category Archives: education

Why study in the UK? What are the advantages? (Guest Post)

Posted in college, education, Europe, school by
(image source: www.bellerbys.com)

(image source: http://www.bellerbys.com)

The UK has been welcoming international students for a long time now. After the United States, the UK is the next popular destination as far as education is concerned. The qualifications are recognised internationally and a guarantee of your value as a future employee. On top, London is one of main start-ups markets, which means that every year, new job opportunities are created for ambitious and strong candidates.

But there is something else that makes studying here an amazing experience. You see, you cannot study in the UK, and in general, you cannot study in a different country without becoming a part of that country. There are the little things, the little stories that add that unmistakable flavour.

Let’s see:

  • The Brits have a positive attitude towards life; things will eventually work out – and you know what? – They do!
  • If you think that an appellative like  “love”or “darling” is something peculiar to British stand-up comedians…well, you’re wrong. It’s quite common to be called like this if you’re a lady, so don’t feel offended by this or take it too personally. The same goes with “mate”!
  • It rains, indeed, but because of this everything is green the entire year. There are no depressing grey autumns or winters – and that’s something! On top, the Brits do know how to enjoy a sunny day
  • Visit some local markets and you can find plenty of fruit and vegetables at some very good prices. They are sold in “bowls” which is rather peculiar, but also attractive. As a student, you do need vitamins
  • If you fancy a nice lunch, you may want to try the local pubs. They do offer nice meals, and some have special prices or special offers like Fish Friday or Curry Day. Better try one of these than buy some standard sandwiches.
  • “Cheerios” is still used! Try this instead of “good bye”. It might not come in too handy, but it’ll make you feel more “British”!
  • Public transport is quite good; it’s not cheap, but tubes run really often  – you hardly wait 2 minutes for the next one. That’s impressive, knowing that the British tube is one of the oldest in Europe
  • From the UK you can easily visit the rest of Europe while on break from your studies. Easy Jet and Wizz Air have some great destinations with very good prices. Or try Megabus if you’re not in a hurry to reach your destinations
  • As an international student, you are legally entitles to work up to 20 hours a week. This will help you gain extra experience and will most definitely help you with your finances

Studying in a different country is definitely a complex topic which does not limit to studying from textbooks and professors. It is the rest of the colleagues, their culture and tradition, as well as the tradition of the country of study that defines the graduation diploma. Objectively speaking, the UK is a great place to study not just because of the top colleges and universities, but because of the already multicultural aspect. European students choose it because it’s closer to home, and US students choose it because of the common language. So go for it!

This post was contributed by Corina David on behalf of Bellerbys College, a welcoming college for international students. Their courses range from foundation courses to pre-master courses and are specially designed to help students achieve their goals.

Going to college?  Give yourself the gift of good grades with The Secrets of Top Students!

The Best Birthday Present Ever

Posted in education, getting better grades, personal, school, study skills, writing by

My copies are here!

My copies are here!


Today is my birthday, but more importantly – for me, at least – it’s also the official release date of my book, The Secrets of Top Students: Tips, Tools, and Techniques for Acing High School and College! As a birthday gift from my publisher, I got fifty free copies of my book – which I now have to distribute to influential people, I suppose. (Anybody in the media or education want a copy?) But it’s such a cool feeling to hold my own book in my hands. It’s kind of like holding your baby for the first time.

It’s also been a crash course in marketing and publicity for me. I’ve already had some mentions in the press (for example, in the New York Post and the IMT Career Journal). And I’m lining up talks and at least one book signing. It’s pretty exciting, and a bit overwhelming!

I’m in the process of making a nice-looking flyer for my book, but for now, here it is in draft form:

Pssst!
Want to get better grades?

Then get The Secrets of Top Students:
Tips, Tools, and Techniques for Acing High School and College

Written by Stefanie Weisman,
Valedictorian of Stuyvesant High School
Highest GPA, Columbia University

With insight from 45 of the best students in the country

Includes:
• How to take killer notes, improve reading comprehension, and write amazing papers
• How to get and stay motivated
• 50 Grade A test-taking tips
• Three game-changing learning techniques
• The mind-body connection
• And much, much more

“An insightful guide for high achievers—and those aspiring to such status—from an authoritative source.” –Alec Klein, Northwestern University professor, bestselling author and award-winning journalist

Available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other fine booksellers.
Published by Sourcebooks, Inc. ISBN: 9781402280795

Do’s and Don’ts for How to Focus While Studying (Guest Post)

Posted in college, education, getting better grades, grades, high school, school, study skills by

Guest Post by Katherine Laramie.
Katherine is a freelance writer who lives in Orlando, Florida.

Your textbook is open, your notes are out and a highlighter rests in your hand. You have an upcoming exam and the best of intentions to prepare for it. After reading one paragraph, your mind starts to wander and somewhere between understanding “fundamental visual development principles” and “thematic and design ideas using visual media,” you’re on Facebook, and it’s not where you should be. It hasn’t even been 20 minutes, and you’re shutting that book thinking, “I’ll study tomorrow.”

In David Glenn’s essay “Procrastination in College Students is a Marker for Unhealthy Behaviors” in The Chronicle of Higher Education, procrastination is referred to as “anxiety avoidance” and “self-defeating behavior.” The article suggests that procrastinators are less worried about future success or failure, and says they experience high anxiety because of the negative feelings associated with committing to a night of doing schoolwork. If you’re guilty of postponing your studies, “wishful thinking” and “rationalizations,” then the following tips may help you improve your performance for a class or achieve that online art degree.

photo by xb3

Disassociating Anxiety from Studying & Test-Taking

Your future depends on graduating from school. Graduation depends on passing classes. Passing classes depends on high exam scores. Scoring highly on an exam depends on excellent studying skills. Ah, the anxiety sets in. Physiological stress follows. Failed attempts at studying are the end result. By eliminating the anxiety that’s associated with school work, you can eliminate subsequent negative, self-defeating feelings that disrupt your academic focus and obligations.

As you blindly stare at a power point on your laptop or gaze at a textbook, create positive associations with studying. Combat procrastination with the following tips:

  • Free your mind from external stressors, agendas and obligations.
  • Remind yourself that you’re nurturing your brain and acquiring knowledge. Embrace that you’re educating yourself. You actually want to improve your mind with this subject matter.
  • Focus less on the exam. By putting less emphasis on scoring highly, you’re alleviating yourself of pressure — and thus anxiety that pushes you to delay your studies for another day.
  • Replace rationalizations and wishful thinking. To handle the negative feelings associated with studying, you may respond by making excuses. Take accountability for your responsibilities and self-defeating behavior. Replace rationalizations, such as “I’m really tired tonight and not even retaining any information anyway,” with “I’m going to maximize my time this evening. There’s no better time than now to prepare for my upcoming exam. Cramming only stresses me out.”

Refocusing: It’s Never Too Late

Losing focus and succumbing to distractions is natural and to be expected while studying. Don’t be defeated by these moments of weakness, which can manifest into negative thoughts and abandoned studying. Take a small break, breathe and get back in the game.

Re-focus by:

  • Changing your scenery and location. If you’re at home, move to a different room. If you’re at the library, change floors and desks.
  • Drinking water. Hydrate and refresh your mind and body.
  • Playing music. The soothing and calming music of cellist Yo-Yo Ma can provide new sensory that re-energizes your studying.

Editor’s Note: My new book, The Secrets of Top Students, contains lots of advice on how to study for exams and avoid procrastination. Order it now on Amazon!

For more tips on studying and much more, order your copy of The Secrets of Top Students today!

New Book Reveals How to Get Better Grades

Posted in college, education, getting better grades, grades, high school, school, study skills, writing by

The following is my book’s official press release.  It’s getting closer!

Secrets of Top Students

Valedictorian Reveals Secrets to Being a Top Student

New Study Aid Features Straight Talk and Practical Advice on Making the Grade

Stefanie Weisman is the epitome of the successful student—valedictorian at Stuyvesant High School and recipient of the Albert Asher Green Prize for the highest GPA in her graduating class at Columbia University, among other honors.

How did she achieve academic success?

It may be surprising to learn that Weisman developed the skills that led her to become a top student because of an undiagnosed learning disability in which she struggled with listening comprehension.

Weisman, along with top students including valedictorians, Rhodes and Fulbright scholars, and even a National Spelling Bee champ, shares learning tips and techniques in her forthcoming book, The Secrets of Top Students: Tips, Tools, and Techniques for Acing High School and College (ISBN: 9781402280795; MAY 7, 2013; $14.99 U.S.; Study Aids; Trade Paper).

Weisman contends that being a top student is a lifestyle and outlines practical strategies for studying smart, learning well, and staying motivated.

The Secrets of Top Students features a holistic approach to learning that includes:

  • How sleep, diet, and exercise can affect a student’s GPA
  • What motivates top students to academic success
  • 50 “Grade A” test-taking tips
  • Three game-changing learning techniques
  • The trick to taking killer notes and improving reading comprehension

Written in a conversational, down-to-earth tone, The Secrets of Top Students shows students how to maximize learning and get the grades they want.

 

About the Author: Stefanie Weisman was born and raised in Queens, New York. She was valedictorian of Stuyvesant High School and graduated from Columbia University with the highest GPA in her class. She has a B.A. in history, a B.S. in computer science, and an M.A. in art history.  Stefanie has received numerous awards including Best Performance in Columbia’s Core Curriculum, Best Senior Thesis in History on a non-U.S. Topic, Phi Beta Kappa, and Summa Cum Laude.  She was a Craig Hugh Smyth fellow at NYU’s Institute of Fine Arts, where she specialized in ancient Greek and Roman art. She works in the technology industry in New York City. https://valedictoriansguide.com/

Media Contact: Liz Kelsch – Asst. Publicity Manager – 630-536-0595 – liz.kelsch@sourcebooks.com

How to Calculate the Cost of College

Posted in college, education, high school, school by
Higher education awaits... but can you afford it?

Higher education awaits… but can you afford it?

For all those students who have gotten college acceptance letters recently, congratulations! But now comes the next question: can you afford it? The Wall Street Journal has provided some excellent resources for calculating the cost of college, for all you parents and students trying to figure out where to go next year. First of all, I highly recommend the article Making Sense of College Aid, by Ruth Simon and Rob Barry. It provides an excellent overview of what to look out for in your financial-aid packet. For example:

Some schools don’t even mention costs in their financial-aid award letters, while other schools cite only tuition and fees, ignoring transportation, textbooks, and living expenses. Many colleges describe loans as “financial aid” or obscure the fact that the aid package includes federal loans to be taken out by parents.

There’s also an excellent online resource, How Do Schools Stack Up?, which allows you to plug in various schools and see things like ROI (return on investment), median borrowing, what percentage graduates in 4 years, the current cost including tuition, room and board and other expenses, and salaries of alumni. Lastly, at the bottom of the page, there’s a terrific interactive worksheet that allows you to compare college offers by looking at the “net price”—your total annual costs after subtracting grants and scholarships.

Good luck making your choice! It’s a tough decision, but you’ll get through it.

Going to college?  Give yourself the gift of good grades with The Secrets of Top Students!

Objection Sustained: Deciding if Law School is Right for You (Guest Post)

Posted in college, education, going to grad school, study skills by

Guest Post by Sonia Martinez.
Sonia is a freelance writer and paralegal who lives in New Jersey.

Note: The opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of the owner of this website.

Northwestern University Library

Northwestern University Library

Northwestern University Law School in Evanston, Ill., announced that it will cut its incoming 2013 class by upwards of 25 students. Daniel Rodriguez, the dean of the school, said reductions are necessary to address growing student debt and unemployment. Northwestern, via its website, said it will increase total financial aid by 25 percent over the next two years to help offset the 3 percent tuition increase that will take effect in the fall of 2013.

Northwestern is by no means a trend setter, nor a lone wolf with its recent actions. A 2012 Kaplan Test Prep survey found that 51 percent of U.S. law schools cut their class sizes due to excessive unemployment among graduates. About 75,000 new jobs in the legal profession will be created through 2020, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, while 40,000 new graduates will enter the job market every year.

Students wishing to become the next Vincent Gambini or Nancy Grace may want to consider some of the hard facts about this once prestigious profession. Nearly 33 percent of 2012 graduates are not working as lawyers, according to Smart Money magazine, and U.S. News & World Report said the average amount of debt for said graduates is more than $100,000. Sure, if you graduate in the top 10 percent of your class at Harvard, Stanford, Yale or some other big-name school, you are all but certain to make six figures right out of college. The other 90 percent of graduates need to consider the realities they face before making that three-year, very expensive commitment.

The Money Question

A New York Times Op-Ed published last November basically made the argument that law school is worth its weight in US Money Reserve gold. Not surprisingly, the column was written by Lawrence E. Mitchell, the dean of Case Western Reserve University law school. He points to the median starting salary for attorneys in 2011 being $61,500, and the average of all practicing lawyers a whopping $130,490. But several subsequent “letters to the editor” pointed out the aforementioned poor job market, rising tuition costs not adjusted for inflation, and the massive debt graduates must deal with.

Of course, this entire back-and-forth argument is put to rest for students who earn scholarships and grants to cover most or all of their costs. An easy way to determine whether or not law school is right for you is by earning a 170 or higher LSAT score, combined with a 3.75 or higher GPA. Those numbers will almost guarantee you receive a vast majority of funds for law school that do not have to be paid back.

Your Goals vs. Reality

Most young people get into law because of the high-potential returns on their educational investments. But believe it or not, there are still a few people out there who simply want to stand up for and represent the little person. If you are in the latter group, a career as a lawyer can be quite rewarding, especially if success is measured more by justice than money. Those in the previous group must get into a top 20 school and graduate no lower than the top 10 percent of their class to guarantee monetary riches.

The decision to go or not to go will change your life one way or another. If you’re in it for the right reasons, however, there is no right or wrong decision.

To get into grad school, you’ve got to have a strong GPA. Order your copy of The Secrets of Top Students today!

The galleys have arrived!

Posted in education, grades, writing by

The Secrets of Top Students Galleys

There’s nothing like the moment when you see your first book in print! I just got five galleys (advance, uncorrected copies) in the mail today from my publisher, Sourcebooks EDU. It’s such a strange and wonderful feeling to see all your hard work finally coming to fruition.

The book’s coming out in May, but you can also pre-order it on Amazon here:
The Secrets of Top Students: Tips, Tools, and Techniques for Acing High School and College

Another P.S. 122 Update – it’s good news this time

Posted in education, school, Uncategorized by

May 2013 Update
I have a ton of updates in this post – sorry if it’s getting confusing – but this one is good news: the 122 G&T program has been saved! The DOE has listened! Read about it here.

March 12 Update
THE D.O.E. NEVER TOLD US THEIR
PLANS TO DISMANTLE P.S.122! WHERE WAS THE COMMUNITY OUTREACH??

JOIN OUR RALLY TO THE D.O.E. Tweed Building
Departure: P.S. 122
21-21 Ditmars Blvd.
Astoria, NY 11105

Date: Thursday, March 14th, 2013

Departure Time: 9:30am
Press Conference: 11:00am (with Councilman Peter Vallone Jr.)
Return Time: 12:30pm

Transportation: Free Private Coach Bus (to seat 100) from P.S.122
or take 4, 5 & 6 trains to Brooklyn Bridge

We all witnessed the outpouring of parents and residents at our emergency meeting last week, attended by over 650 people! Our community stood united.

The D.O.E. never reached out to our community like they are supposed to. Instead, they went ahead with their own agenda, never taking our children into consideration. We were clear last week that WE DO NOT WANT THIS CHANGE MADE TO P.S.122. Let’s ask Chancellor Walcott why we were not consulted about this plan.

Please join us at the upcoming RALLY and press conference departing from P.S. 122 to the D.O.E. Tweed Building located at 52 Chambers Streeton Thursday, March 14th, 2013 via bus or meet us there.

Please email: savedistrict30schools@yahoo.com to confirm you’ll be able to attend the rally!

I was honored yesterday to speak to a packed auditorium at my alma mater, P.S. 122 (The Mamie Fay School) in Queens. I went to middle school here in the Gifted and Talented program. The PTA held an emergency meeting because the DOE wants to make major changes that will drastically reduce G&T seats and put the school at 129% capacity in the coming years. There was an amazing turnout and the community is really infuriated about this. I’m just trying to do my part to save a program I love and that has one of the best records in the city.

Here are some pictures from last night’s event. Sorry for the poor picture quality – I didn’t have my regular camera.

Packed auditorium at 122

Packed auditorium at 122

Me speaking at the meeting

Me speaking at the meeting

If you weren’t at the meeting yesterday, they gave out a very useful information packet. Please click here to see what you can do.

For a summary of the meeting, check out this article.

3/10/13 Update:
Last week’s emergency PTA meeting at P.S. 122 brought over 700 people to the school’s auditorium. The evening’s event proved that the community is outraged at the DOE’s plans to phase out one of the best schools in the city: The Academy for the Intellectually Gifted. Although no one expected to hear a reversal of the plan, the night did demonstrate residents’ resolve to fight this plan.

This upcoming Thursday, March 14, 2013, the struggle continues. Buses will be leaving from the front of P.S. 122, at 9 A.M., and head over to the DOE’s Tweed Building (52 Chambers Street New York, NY 10007). Rally participants will be joined by Councilman Vallone who will hold a press conference in support of the entire school community.

P.S. 122 needs your presence at this rally! We need to show Chancellor Walcott that the greater Astoria community is not willing to permit one of its prized schools be destroyed. If you cannot make the 9 A.M. departure time, we hope that you can meet us on the steps of Tweed by 10 A.M. Participants are hoping to demonstrate with signs showing their love for our school and all of District 30.

Once again, please let the world know about this event. Use all means of spreading the word in order to ensure the same kind of impressive turnout as that at this previous Wednesday’s meeting!

Give your child the gift of great grades.  Order a copy of The Secrets of Top Students today!

Update on P.S. 122 G&T Program

Posted in education, New York City, school by

Please click here for the continuation of this post.

This is an update of my previous post, P.S. 122 Gifted Program in Danger of Closing.

P.S. 122 - The Mamie Fay School

P.S. 122 – The Mamie Fay School

3/1/13 Update: There’s an emergency meeting coming up on Wednesday, March 6. Below is the text from the flyer.

HELP SAVE OUR PRESTIGIOUS P.S.122!!!
Dear School District 30 Residents,
The Department of Education (DOE) is proposing drastic cuts to P.S. 122’s Talented and Gifted program known as “The Academy” and the addition of a zoned middle school program in the same building. The surge in enrollment and overcrowding that would result will take away resources from all P.S. 122 students.
The impact of these actions will be felt beyond the borders of P.S. 122, potentially also affecting local schools such as P.S. 85, I.S. 141, P.S. 150, P.S. 166 and P.S./I.S. 126 in an adverse way.
The impact of the DOE’s proposal will be felt beyond school walls. Many hard-working families have chosen to move to and even buy homes in School District 30 because of its successful schools. Damaging our schools will only serve to break apart our community and could potentially threaten real estate values of our respective neighborhoods.
Our community cannot sit by as our schools’ abilities to serve the needs of all our children are severely diminished. We need your help!
Please join us at the upcoming general community meeting to learn more about the DOE’s proposal, its potential impact, and how we can work to stop it.

Meeting Information
Location :
P.S. 122 (Auditorium)
21-21 Ditmars Blvd.
Astoria, NY 11105
(718) 721-6410

Date: Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Time: 6:30 P.M.

Together, let’s protect our schools and our community!

So, I attended the Community District Education Council 30 meeting yesterday, February 21, 2013, and boy, was it intense! People are very upset about potential changes to the Gifted and Talented program at P.S. 122. I’ll just give a brief rundown of what was said. I apologize for not knowing the names of speakers and if I got some of the facts wrong.

The Proposed Plan

Some representatives from the Office of Portfolio Management and the Office of Student Enrollment explained the plan. It appears that the DOE is proposing to change the organization of the G&T (Gifted and Talented) programs in District 30 in Astoria, Queens. The basic idea is that they regard P.S. 122 as a K-8 school, and based on a chancellor’s rule, any student entering the school in kindergarten must be guaranteed a seat in the school until eighth grade. This means that the G&T program (6th through 8th grade) in P.S. 122 would be greatly reduced. They would open up a new program in P.S. 126 modeled after the one in P.S. 122, although what this means is not clear. The effects of these changes would not be seen until 2019.

The Reaction

One of the council members called this a “back-handed deal.” She and various other speakers said that this would mean the loss of approximately 60 G&T seats throughout the district and would “destroy one of the most successful middle school programs” in the city. The district is already short of G&T seats. Many (including the principal of 122) said that P.S. 122 is not and has never been a K-8 school. It is/was a K-5 school with a 6-8th grade G&T program. The DOE’s proposal would also worsen overcrowding in the school.

There were many speakers last night, and none of them supported the DOE’s proposal. They said they wanted more G&T seats, not less. One speaker said the DOE “just took a community and pissed them off.”
Other memorable quotes:
“Keep 122 intact!”
“Who on earth asked for this?”
“We are passionate about 122.”
This is a “hugely successful, beloved program . . . and you are destroying it.”
“This school is a gem in the entire city.”

What You Can Do

To express your support of 122, here are some things you can do:

3/1/13 Update: I’ve been told it’s extremely important to contact the following individuals:

Chancellor Dennis M. Walcott
(212) 374-0200
DMWalcott@schools.nyc.gov

Sandy Ferguson
Deputy Chief Executive for Admissions, Office of Student Enrollment
(212) 374-7636
SFergus@schools.nyc.gov

The following is the text of a sample letter you can send to these people. Please modify it to suit your own style, etc.

Dear Chancellor Dennis Walcott,

I am writing this letter to support one of our community’s biggest assets, P.S. 122 and The Academy for the Intellectually Gifted that has existed there for almost 30 years.

For all these years P.S. 122 has helped shape some of our community’s brightest minds. It has been a refuge for children with a variety of needs and has discharged its responsibility in an effective and extremely successful manner.

Given P.S. 122’s success record, we feel that the program and structure there should not be altered. The plan, which was announced recently, will clearly harm our most prized school and, consequently, our entire community.

We look forward to hearing from you regarding the reversal of this decision which has galvanized our members the broader community.

Sincerely,

One of the council members said to contact Marc Sternberg, Deputy Chancellor of the Division of Portfolio Planning. I don’t currently have his contact information. If anybody knows it, please let me know.

As mentioned in my previous post, you can also:
Sign this petition.

Some other local contacts:
Councilman Peter Vallone : 718.274-4500
District Leader Costas Constantinides: costa4astoria@gmail.com
Assemblywoman Aravella Simotas: 718.545.3889
State Senator Michael Gianaris: 718.728.0960

You can find more information on the Astorians website.

Thank you!

P.S. If there are any P.S. 122 students or teachers (past or present) reading this, please feel free to post a comment below.

Give your child the gift of great grades.  Order a copy of The Secrets of Top Students today!