Student Resources

A large part of college is being able to operate on your own without being told to do the things required. This means getting your work done on time and handing in your assignments by the days they’re due. Another big part of college is connecting with other people socially, forming new, possibly lifelong relationships and finding new experiences or hobbies to take part in. As such, it is important to figure out when is the time to enjoy yourself and when is the time to work on those assignments.

The most important thing to remember is that your education should always come first in your priorities. You will have plenty of opportunities to hang out with your new friends, but you only have one chance to complete that paper or take that exam. A good rule to go by is the classic line ‘Do what you need to do before doing what you want to do.’ If you have something due tomorrow, tell your friends you will see them some other time.

Another good thing to remember is that you can take advantage of your increased free time to get work out of the way faster and have more time to yourself. Unlike high school, you are not sitting in classrooms the entire day. You may have a break of an hour or even a few hours in between your classes. While it is tempting to use that time for things other than college work, putting in the extra effort to make progress in or even finish an assignment will help you have less to do later. That way, when a friend calls you to do something or go out with a group, you can say yes and enjoy that time without a deadline looming in the back of your mind. Students with good time management skills are able to both perform better in their schoolwork and spend more time doing the things they enjoy.

At the same time, working all the time will only leave you burnt out and unable to function at your peak. Yes, long study periods will be required in some cases, but staring at a textbook for 10 hours straight is not healthy. Take the time to give yourself breaks in between your study periods. For example, after studying for 3 hours, take an hour to do something you enjoy. It gives your mind a break and keeps the work from feeling overwhelming. Make sure whatever you do is an activity that you can quickly walk away from so you don’t fall into the trap of procrastinating.

It’s important to take time to spend with your friends or try new things. College may be a place of education, but it is also the place where you will meet many new people, form many new friendships and learn many new things about yourself as a person. Academics are by far the most important aspect of college, but they’re not the only part. In fact, your social activities can even support your academics. Studying with friends in a group or having a friend quiz you before a big test is an excellent way to get your studying done while also spending time with them. Your friends may have the answers to questions that you don’t understand and vice versa, and putting more heads together only makes the work easier to get through.

What works for each person is different, and learning how to maintain a healthy balance of work and leisure is an essential part of growing up. We hope that this post has helped those of you that struggle with this aspect of life begin to take steps towards mastering this skill.

In many cases, going away for college means leaving behind the things and people that you are used to. It can be tough to move into a new environment and start making your own decisions without parental guidance or the friends that you have known for years. We would like to offer some tips to help you adapt and have the best possible college experience.

1. Talk to strangers
Despite "Don't talk to strangers" being one of the cardinal rules when you are young, oftentimes one of the best ways to make friends is to sit down next to someone on campus and offer a friendly hello. If you see someone sitting alone at the dining hall or passing time at the campus center, don't hesitate to speak with them. Remember that everyone you know was a stranger at one point. Being unfamiliar with someone just gives you the opportunity to get to know that person.

2. Read your syllabus
Unlike high school teachers, most college professors are not going to remind you that a big assignment is due on a certain day. The first day of every class will have the professors giving out a syllabus, which tells you about every assignment that you will have in that semester and when they are due. In order to do well in college, you have to read your syllabus thoroughly and always make sure your assignments are handed in on time. Set reminders in your phone or make it a habit to look at your syllabi every night. Anything you can do to make sure everything is in your professor's hands when it is supposed to be will save you many headaches in the future.

3. Participate in clubs and go to group events
Whether your interests include sports, reading, fashion or Quidditch, there is a high chance that someone at your school has started a club on it. Clubs are a great way to meet other people who share your interests and make new friends that you have things in common with. If your idea isn't already a club, you can start one yourself. You would be surprised at the amount of people that would attend a specific club that does not exist yet. Group events are another great way to make friends. It is normal to feel awkward about being in a room full of strangers, but it is worth it to get out there and meet some new people. Many students find friends in orientation and getting to know you' events that are with them for all of college. Being open-minded and adventurous for an hour or two can leave you with worthwhile friendships that last for much longer.

4. Do your work over time
No matter how much you want it to be, that ten page paper on psychology journals is not going to be finished if you start it the night before it is due. In order for your assignments to be the best they can be, you will have to learn to start working on assignments in advance. Working on a paper for a little while each day not only helps you meet your deadlines, but it also allows you to tackle your work in more manageable chunks rather than trying to do everything at once. This will help each part of your assignment receive more care and ultimately get you a better grade.

Remember, these are some tips that are meant to stimulate questions and encourage you to pursue those questions. This is not a complete guide on how to adapt to college. You will have to do much of that adaption on your own, but we hope these tips will be a helpful starting point.

One of the most important skills to learn as early as possible is how to manage your money. Knowing how to budget your money and establish good credit for yourself is invaluable for life as a college student and as an adult. Here are some essential steps to make sure you stay in great financial shape throughout your college experience:

1. Establish a budget. Take the time to think about what you will need to spend money on and how much you should spend. What are you spending on textbooks? Supplies? Food or snacks? Leisure time? Make a list or table of where your money is going and subtract that from the total amount you are allowed to spend. Keep thinking of new ways to save as well. If you won’t be using a certain book for the entire semester, try finding it at the library. Instead of buying a new textbook from the school bookstore, try renting one from a cheaper retailer such as Amazon or Chegg.
2. Spend less on things you don’t need.You would be surprised by how much money can go into things that seem like small payments at a glance. For example, going and buying a coffee at Starbucks every morning can really add up in the long run. Eating out with friends once in a while is fine, but it shouldn’t become a habit. Do you really need to pay for Netflix, Hulu and Disney+ when just one service will do? Separating what you need to spend money on from what you want to spend money on is a valuable skill that will assist you for the rest of your life.
3. Get a savings account.Saving up for your college education requires putting away money in order to help pay off whatever loans you end up taking out. Getting a savings account at your bank is one of the best ways to keep that money secure for when you need it. A 529 plan in particular lets your money be invested without having to pay taxes when you use it for college tuition and student loan payments.
4. Be careful with credit cards.Credit cards can seem like a “get-out-of-jail-free” card when it comes to money. They are also a great way to build up your credit score early. However, you can wind up owing a very large debt and ruining your credit score if you do not pay on time. This can follow you for years after college is over. Make sure you only spend what you can immediately pay back, and set reminders for the due dates of your bills.
5. Minimize loans.While it may be necessary to take out loans to pay for your college education, borrowing as little money as possible means paying back less money in the future. Remember that you will have to pay back everything you take, so only borrow the absolute minimum amount required for you to afford your education.
6. Get a job.Getting a part-time job in college can help you with your money in a few different ways. You can put away some of the money you earn to help with your expenses, while using the leftover money as spending money when you want to treat yourself to something nice or a night out with friends.

These tips are only a few ways that you can keep track of and manage your spending. Ask your parents about their own spending habits, and have them help you set up a plan for your own if they can. As always, keep thinking about whatever you need to ensure your future success, whether academic or practical, during your college education.

Going away for college means being in an unfamiliar environment, away from your old friends and your family. It’s natural to miss the people you have grown up with for many years. In addition, you may find yourself feeling overwhelmed by your new surroundings and workload at first. Don’t let those feelings become a burden to your academics or your self-discovery. Below are some tips you can use to help whenever you start to miss home.

1. Stay in contact. There is nothing wrong with picking up the phone and calling your parents/friends as much as you want. Talking to them can serve as a nice reminder of home while not having to actually be there. They can also offer up encouragement or advice while you are still adjusting to your new environment. Adjusting to college is a process that everyone goes through, so do not feel guilty if you need to lean on others for support.
2. Engage with your surroundings. One of the best ways to keep yourself from thinking of home is to take your mind off of it. College has many activities to participate in and ways to meet new people. Join a club that matches with your interest or hobbies and you will find plenty of other people that share that interest. Go to school or club events that you hear about and talk to the people there, even if you feel awkward. Remember, most students will be like you, looking for people to connect with. If there is a class you are excited about, dive into it and learn all that you can.
3. Reduce your stress. Oftentimes, homesickness is caused by the feeling of wanting to go back to when things were simpler and you had less to worry about. Reducing stress can help you take a deep breath and look at your situation more objectively. Exercise is one of the most commonly known ways to relieve stress, especially outside or in a well-lit place. If you find yourself feeling overwhelmed while working, take the time to de-stress. Go on a walk, speak with a friend, or do an activity you enjoy.

These tips will not eliminate whatever stress and anxiety you will feel while getting used to college life, but we hope they will help you deal with those feelings. If your feelings become too large to handle, do not hesitate to speak to a counselor about whatever is bothering you. No problem is too large or abstract. They are there to help you.

Living with a roommate can be a very new experience for those who go away to college, even if they are used to living with siblings. Unlike siblings, a roommate starts out as a stranger, who may not act in ways that you would expect. Learning to live with people who are different from you is a part of both attending college and growing up in general. Here are some helpful tips to help you adjust to one of the new people you’ll be interacting with the most.

1. Be friendly. In freshman year, your roommate will likely be in a similar position to you: branching out in an unfamiliar place for the first time. Forming a friendship with your roommate can provide you with someone to speak to on a daily basis who is going through the same things that you are.
2. Set up some ground rules. Having a conversation about you and your roommate’s expectations for how things in the room should be run can help you avoid fighting or unpleasant surprises. Things like alarms, personal sleep or study schedules, tidying up the room and significant others should all be discussed.
3. Be considerate. While you may have had your way of doing things at home, everything changes when you are living with someone else. Make sure you keep their perspective in mind and think about how you would react if you were in their shoes. For example, dirty laundry all over the place may have been acceptable in your own room, but would you want to walk in and find someone’s stained shirt on your things?
4. Remain open to conversation about problems. Many times, a disagreement with a roommate can be solved by simply talking it out. Like previously mentioned, a new roommate will be learning how to live with you just as much as you are learning to live with them. If there is a problem, do not expect your roommate to suddenly know if something is bothering you. Speak to them about it. Not only will it help resolve the issue, but it will help them learn not to do the same thing in the future. When speaking to them, do not approach them like they are trying to anger you. Instead, calmly let them know what the problem is and how you feel about it, while also letting them explain their side of the story.
These tips are only a starting point for how to interact with your new roommate. Everyone is different, so the best way to learn how to live with your roommate is to start living with them. As time goes on, you will learn more about them and how to mesh their lifestyle with your own. Remember to remain positive and open to living with a new pe

One of the most important things you need to do to excel in school is study. For many students, it can be a challenge to concentrate and absorb the information they are looking at. Luckily, there are some things you can do to both study better and get better grades as a result.

1. Write things down/do examples

Sometimes, your mind may wander when you find yourself looking at a textbook for a long time. A good way to keep yourself engaged is to write things down instead of just looking at them. Writing something engages your brain and keeps you focused on what you're doing. Also, writing information in your own way can make it easier to understand. You can break things down into simpler language or draw arrows to show which topics are connected to others. When it comes to math, sit down and do some examples. This lets you practice while training your mind to remember every step of a problem when test day comes.

2. Take great notes in class

Writing notes helps you study later and remember what was said in class. The notes you take can be a valuable study tool if you take advantage of them. The key is to write the things you're learning in your own words. If you don't understand a part of the lesson, ask a question, and write down the answer in a way you know you'll understand later. Write down observations your teacher or a fellow student makes. Write in the margins, break things into sections, connect a topic to a TV show you like, or draw arrows connecting one topic to another. Anything you can do to make sure that you remember everything later is a good idea.

3. Start early

Waiting until the night before a big test to start studying is the worst thing you can do. Your brain isn't going to remember all of that information. It's important to start studying as early as you can. If your teacher says you have a test on Friday, start Monday or even the weekend before. Set aside an hour or two every day to go over everything, or start right after you finish your homework. By the time you hit test day, you will have a much easier time remembering things. If the subject is a particularly hard one for you, don't be afraid to start two or more weeks in advance. Everyone learns at a different pace, so find yours and stick to it.

4. Test yourself

Holding your own test is a great way to find out what you know by heart and what you need to focus on. You can do this in a number of ways. Give a family member your notes and have them write out questions for you. Study with your friend and take turns asking each other questions. Find a test online, preferably one that tells you the correct answer if you answer incorrectly. Afterwards, study the things that you didn't know twice as hard. Remember not to get frustrated if the results are lower than you thought. The point is to help you see where your weaknesses are, not to be an indicator of whether you'll pass the real test or not. Keep in mind that studying early means you can have more than one test and track your progress as time goes on.

5. Work first, play later/rewarding yourself

As much as you want to relax when you leave school, it is actually a better idea to keep working, whether it's doing homework or studying. The sooner you finish everything you need to do, the sooner you don't have to worry about it anymore. You'll retain more information while your brain is still in 'work mode' than you will after two hours of TV. At the same time, overdoing it isn't good either. To get the best of both worlds, set up a reward system. For example, let's say you've studied for two or three hours. How about an hour of browsing the internet or playing a game? Be careful not to lose track of time. If you know you're bad at keeping yourself to a schedule when you're doing something you enjoy, set an alarm on your phone, or tell a family member to come and get you when time is up. Try to do things that don't require a big time investment, so you can put it down and get back to work when the times comes.

One of the most important school years is 7th grade. As you prepare to enter high school, most schools will pay close attention your grades and standardized exam results this year. Here are some tips to help you make the most of middle school and get ready for high school.

1. Get ready early: You probably already made a high school list in sixth grade, but now is the time to go back and revise and finalize it. Your goals may have changed since last year, so it’s a good idea to have a new, up-to-date list that reflects your interests. If possible, once you have a finalized list, attend some events hosted by these schools to see if they are the right fit

2. Start studying for the SHSAT: New York City’s eight specialized high schools use the Specialized High School Admissions Test (SHSAT) to determine which students will get in. You’ll likely take the SHSAT in eighth grade, but the time to start studying is now! It can be a tough test, consisting of language arts and math sections. you’re planning to take the SHSAT, talk to your GEAR UP coach as soon as possible—they can help you study and offer some key test-taking strategies.

3. Keep those grades up: High schools will pay close attention to the grades you get in 7th grade, so this year, you’ll want to do your absolute best to get into your top-choice schools. Excelling academically in middle school builds a solid foundation for success in high school, and, eventually, college.

Talk to your GEAR UP coaches for more tips and information about how to prepare for high school.

Students in New York City have many options when it comes to where they can attend high school. For highly-motivated students who are academically or artistically inclined, some of the most prestigious schools in the city are the nine specialized high schools. Each school is different, offering different programs, with different strengths, so we’ll go through each one to give you a better overview of what’s available.

1. Bronx High School of Science: With an enrollment of almost 3,000 students, Bronx High School of Science (or, Bronx Science, as it’s sometimes called) is one of the best known specialized high schools. Located in Bedford Park (just a short walk from the Lehman College campus), Bronx Science specializes in the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) fields. For students who excel in these areas, Bronx Science can be a great choice of high school.

2. Brooklyn Latin School: Located in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, the Brooklyn Latin School’s curriculum emphasizes the humanities—like English, history, and foreign languages—although its STEM classes are also highly regarded. With an enrollment of around 700 students, it’s one of the smaller specialized high schools.

3. Brooklyn Technical High School: Brooklyn Tech also focuses on the STEM fields. A central feature of this school is the “major” system, which allows a student to specialize in one subject starting in eleventh grade.

4. High School for Mathematics, Science and Engineering at City College of New York: This school—located on the campus of City College—has an enrollment of just 500 students. HSMSE also has a STEM-focused curriculum. Starting in junior year, students must choose between three concentrations: Higher Mathematics, Mount Sinai School of Medicine Biomedical Research Program, or Advanced Engineering.

5. High School of American Studies at Lehman College: High School of American Studies is based at Lehman College, with a focus on the humanities, although STEM is also emphasized. Starting in eleventh grade, students have the chance to take classes on the Lehman College campus.

6. Laguardia High School: Unlike the other specialized high schools, Laguardia is dedicated to the performing arts. Students complete academic courses while also majoring in a “studio art,” such as dance, drama, technical theater, or music. Students must submit a portfolio of work or complete an audition in order to be accepted.

7. Queens High School for the Sciences at York College: With around 500 students, Queens High School for the Sciences is a STEM-focused high school based at CUNY York College. The school offers AP and honors courses in English Literature, US History, and others, along with its STEM curriculum

8. Staten Island Technical High School: Staten Island Tech is the only specialized high school in Staten Island. It’s STEM-focused, and has a Pre-Engineering Career & Technical Education (CTE) program, which is designed to equip students with job readiness skills.

9. Stuyvesant High School: Stuyvesant’s intensive STEM program is well-known, and it is probably the most selective of all the specialized high schools. With over 3,000 students, Stuyvesant is known for its unique course offerings and exciting extracurriculars. Although Stuyvesant focuses on STEM, it also has an excellent humanities program. Students are required to take four years of history, English, science, and mathematics, as well as three years of a foreign language.

If you’re planning to apply to specialized high schools, you’ll need to take the Specialized High School Admissions Test (SHSAT). And if you’re planning to take the SHSAT, you’ll need to be well-prepared. The three-hour exam is only offered once, in eighth grade at the end of October, and there is no opportunity to retake it. For that reason, it’s important to start studying as soon as possible.

In our experience, test prep is all about practice. Here’s how you can get a leg up on the competition.

• Take as many practice tests as possible! A practice test is basically an older version of the test from a few years ago. It’ll give you a good sense of what you can expect on the actual test, and it can help to know what your strengths and weaknesses are before you really start studying. Visit the SHSAT page to get a free practice test, and pick up a free SHSAT workbook from the New York City Department of Education. Also, the website Khan’s Tutorial offers an archive of workbooks dating back to 2009.
• Focus on math skills! The SHSAT math section can be pretty challenging for students, so it’s important to know what to expect early. The math section asks students questions in arithmetic, algebra, and geometry, and it’s possible that you might not have learned some of these subjects in school yet. This page from the Department of Education can help you get a better sense of what you need to know.
• Focus on ELA skills! The English Language Arts section consists of about 60 multiple choice questions that assess reading comprehension and revision/editing skills. Check out the Department of Education’s guide to learn more about what you’ll need to know.
• Practice time management! Since you’ll only have three hours to complete the exam, it’s imperative that you exercise good time management. You can be the most knowledgeable student in New York City, but unless you’re able to finish the test in three hours, it won’t matter! Once you’re familiar with the content, time your practice tests to develop those skills.
• Talk to your GEAR UP coach! Don’t hesitate to reach out to your GEAR UP coach. They’re available to guide and help you study for the SHSAT. They can offer valuable insight into the admissions process.

It’s no secret that middle school can be a difficult transition for many students. For starters, middle schoolers have a ton of new responsibilities and challenges. Coupled with the changes all middle schoolers face, things can feel tense around the house. Here are some helpful tips to help strengthen families during these exciting (sometimes stressful) years.

• Establish a reasonable balance between recreational activities, work schedules, and family time.
• Talk with each other and listen carefully to understand each other’s viewpoint.
• Demonstrate respect for each person’s ideas, thoughts, and feelings.
• Help each other and be willing to let others help you.
• Keep in touch with other families going through similar things and develop relationships.
• Develop a shared set of meanings, values, and goals with your family, and talk about them with your children.

Sometimes, it can be helpful to do an emotional check-in, for both students and families. A helpful device to remember is “P-A-S-T-A.”

• P: Pause and breath for a moment
• A: Ask yourself how you feel
• S: Say how you’re feeling out loud, or write them on paper.
• T: Think about your feelings and sit with them for a while.
• A: Ask yourself what you need

It can also be useful to get into the habit of journaling. Writing down how you feel is a great way to process and understand confusing emotions. Here are a few prompts to get you started.

• Write a reflection about a time when you felt mad, sad, or nervous. Include details on what you did to feel less mad, sad, or nervous.
• Write about what you hope to accomplish the next 12 months. Include details on how you will accomplish these goals.
• Write a narrative about a time that your opinion changed. What caused it to change? Use details, dialogue, or descriptions to tell what happened.
• Think of a way that you helped solve an issue faced in your family, school, or community. Write a personal essay describing how the issue was resolved.
• Write about a time you felt uncomfortable at first but more relaxed later. What did you learn about yourself through the experience?