This month

Study Habits

• Feature —Learning and meeting your teachers' expectations
• It's a fact —Challenge yourself with cool courses
• Stay on track — A checklist of "to-dos"
• Take notice — Important dates
• All about AIEmail — Subscribe, suggest, review

Feature

Learning and meeting your teachers' expectations

One of the easiest ways to improve your grades is to follow some basic steps to determine your teachers' expectations. Follow these closely, and you'll be well on your way.

Find out about your future teachers from current students.
As you complete this school year and look forward to the next, pay attention to the comments upperclassmen make about their teachers. Consider the source, but remember that their experiences may be the same kinds of experiences you may go through. Choose instructors and classes carefully.

Pay attention in class, and take notes.
It sounds simple enough, but it bears repeating. Listen in class, and sit near the front of the room. Look for clues on important items your teacher mentions — they like to drop big hints about what to study for exams. Go over your notes after class, making clean drafts and following up on items you still don't understand. Remember, no question is a dumb question — it's only dumb if you don't ask it.

Develop a positive relationship with your teachers.
Visit briefly with them before or after class. Discuss a subject you learned about in your readings, or ask them to clear up something you didn't understand. Visit during office hours to get more help if needed. Show you care about doing well; you're likely to get additional support and assistance.

Follow up after disappointments AND successes.
When quiz and exam grades don't turn out as you expected, find out why. If you go over the answers in class, pay close attention to explanations of correct answers and figure out where you went wrong. If you're still not sure, visit with your teacher after class — they appreciate inquisitive students who challenge them. If you aced the assignment, don't shove the paperwork in your book bag without looking. Instead, go over the material one more time for reinforcement, and promise yourself that next time you'll do just as well — or better.

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It's a Fact

Challenge yourself with cool courses

Now is the time to reach above and beyond. Regardless of your plans beyond high school, you should commit yourself to take one of the advanced or more challenging tracks your high school offers to meet graduation requirements. Students who take these more challenging paths frequently are eligible for more opportunities, including scholarships, grants, and other programs. And their college applications are more appealing to college admissions counselors.

To learn more about what challenging curriculum programs look like, how to prepare for them, and what may be available, visit AIE's "Recommended Courses" page (www.AIE.org/HighSchool/hs_courses.cfm).

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Stay on track

Checklist for this week

For freshmen

Read more than just the material that is assigned to you. Read outside of class, on your own.

• Reading increases your vocabulary, which is important for a successful high school student.
• The more you read, the better your reading comprehension skills become.
• As you read, you gain new knowledge and information.
• Reading enhances the ability to concentrate.
• Your writing skills will improve as a result of your extended reading.

For sophomores

If you are a sophomore enrolled in an Advanced Placement (AP) course, you are close to your AP exam dates. Here are a few reminders about preparing for these exams:

• Follow all test preparation suggestions provided by your AP instructor.
• Attend any additional test review sessions that your teacher may provide.
• Start studying now. A small amount of preparation each day is more effective than last minute cramming.
• You may want to consider purchasing commercially produced AP review books. To save money, check with used bookstores or your public library, or ask your older friends for a used book.
• Organize a study group with your AP classmates.

For juniors

One great source of financial assistance to consider in college is a Reserve Officer's Training Corp (ROTC) scholarship:

• ROTC is a program operated by the armed services at colleges to train students as potential officers.
• The Army, Navy, and Air Force all offer ROTC scholarships.
• ROTC scholarship candidates must meet certain physical and academic qualifications.
• Some ROTC scholarships provide financial assistance for four years.
• Sometimes students also receive a competitive scholarship in the form of a monthly stipend for living expenses.
• In return for financial assistance, a student must fulfill a certain number of years in the military branch that funds the scholarship.
• To find out more about the variety of ROTC opportunities, contact your school counselor, one of the military branch offices, or the ROTC office at your prospective colleges.

For seniors

Here are a few hints to help you sort out important financial aid award letter information:

• Sit down with your parents to review the family's plan to finance your college education.
• Read all enclosed information and explanations carefully.
• If you or your parents are unclear about any part of an award letter, call the college financial aid office for clarification.
• If your family feels the award letter does not adequately meet your demonstrated need, ask the financial aid officer to review your file.
• If you are comparing financial aid award letters from several colleges, make sure you are comparing "apples to apples."
• If one package is significantly different from the others, your parent may want to ask the financial aid officer about the reasons.
• After reviewing all information, respond to the college(s) by the requested dates.

For parents

Here are a few hints to help you sort out important financial aid award letter information:

• Sit down with your senior to review the family's plan to finance your child's college education.
• Read all enclosed information and explanations carefully.
• If you are unclear about any part of an award letter, call the college financial aid office for clarification.
• If your family feels the award letter does not adequately meet your demonstrated need, ask the financial aid officer to review your file.
• If you are comparing financial aid award letters from several colleges, make sure you are comparing "apples to apples."
• If one package is significantly different from the others, you may want to ask the financial aid officer about the reasons.
• Call the college's financial aid office to ask about any parent loan information that you need to begin the process.
• Financing a college education is an important family commitment to your senior's future. Review all information carefully. Seek out any explanations that will help you and your child feel better informed about making these financial decisions.

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Take notice

Important dates

Mark down these dates.

To get more information on the SAT or SAT Subject Tests, access useful tools, or register, visit the College Board's Web Site(www.collegeboard.com) or call (609) 771-7600.

To get more information on the ACT, access useful tools, or register, visit the ACT Web Site (www.act.org) or call (319) 337-1270.

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