Ninth Grade Parent Night
The counselors will be hosting the Ninth Grade Parent Night, Tuesday, November 8, 2011 at 6:30 PM in the Strake Family Cafeteria at St. Agnes Academy.  The focus of this presentation is the transition to high school.  This stage of high school can be a challenge not only academically but also, socially and emotionally.  We look forward to a stimulating evening as we talk about this change in the lives of you and your daughters.

Studying and Homework, Part II
As discussed last week, the homework process is an important component of being a successful student.  Another critical part of finding success as a student is creating and maintaining good study habits.  Study differs from homework in that it is almost completely student directed.  While the teacher may say "go home and study", there are no specific guidelines or due dates.  Studying is that time a student sets aside to go over class notes, textbook readings or key concepts to make sure knowledge is complete. It is also a time for a student to take control of their own study habits and create a study environment which promotes independence and initiative.  There are many techniques a student can employ to become a better student.  Making flashcards (on index cards or through the website www.quizlet.com), re-reading textbook passages using the SQR3 method (one example seen here: http://www.studygs.net/texred2.htm), taking annotated notes while reading, or re-writing class notes are a few of the strategies successful students employ. Another key factor in translating study into more successful test scores is studying for shorter amounts of time for more days.  Brain research shows that active studying of information for 15 to 30 minutes a day for 5 or more days before a test is a much more effective way of studying than spending hours studying the day right before a test (also known as "cramming").  Studying over a longer period of time allows for the transference of the information into long term memory, which is where a student wants material that needs to be known and recalled (such as for a test). There are four ways to transfer material from short term memory (where material that is "crammed" for usual resides) into long term memory:  
•    Pay attention - learning cannot occur without attention and interest
•    Visualize or picture in the mind what needs to be remembered - mental images are easier to remember than words
•    Create a chain of memories by relating new ideas and information to previously learned material - "filing" information in groups makes it easier to locate and remember
•    Repeat, repeat, repeat - repetition of information to the point of overlearning makes recall easier and more complete. 

As always, please feel free to contact your daughter's counselor or Lisa Crank in the Services Center should you have any questions.