College Planning | Test Prep | Academic Tutoring | Rye New York | Stamford Connecticut
As 10th graders, the primary focus of college planning should be building upon the groundwork laid in the freshman year. This means not only maintaining strong grades ...
Continue Readingabout High School Milestones: 10th Grade →
Transitioning from middle school to high school marks an important phase in a student's academic journey. As they embark on this new chapter, 9th-grade students must begin ...
Continue Readingabout College Planning Checklist for 9th Graders →
Introduction This article aims to help you understand the impact of the historic decision regarding Affirmative Action in college admissions. College admission policies influence choices made by ...
Continue Readingabout Affirmative Action in College Admissions: The Rationale, Historical Context, and Controversy →
The college application process is a significant milestone in a student's academic journey. Alongside academic achievements, extracurricular activities, and personal essays, letters of recommendation play an important ...
Continue Readingabout Who Should You Ask for College Recommendations? →
The college application process can be a daunting experience for many high school students. One of the key components of this process is academic performance, which is ...
Continue Readingabout What Grades Do Colleges Look At? →
The college application process is an exciting but challenging journey for many students. One of the most significant components of this process is the college essay. The ...
Continue Readingabout What Are The Best College Essay Topics? →
Assessing Academic and Career Goals The first step in starting a college plan is for students to assess their academic and career goals. Students explore questions such ...
Continue Readingabout How To Start A College Plan →
Importance of College Planning The decision to attend college is one of the most important decisions a student can make. The college experience has the potential to ...
Continue Readingabout The Importance of College Planning →
The Importance of Early College Planning The decision to attend college is a significant milestone in any student's life and planning for college requires ample preparation and ...
Continue Readingabout When Should I Start Planning for College? →
Manifesting the future that students and parents want, while navigating the competitive nature of the world, can seem formidable. Balancing students’ well-being in a holistic way within ...
Continue Readingabout Growth with Balance: How to Raise a Healthy Child with Healthy Dreams →
At Novella Prep, our goal is to contribute to developing a healthy child who finds balance and preparedness for higher education and life. In the process, we ...
Continue Readingabout Raising Students Through a Healthy Perspective: The Novella Prep Way →
A Quick Review Executive functioning is known as “the management system of the brain”, and includes mental abilities such as working memory, flexible thinking, self-monitoring, and emotion-regulation. ...
Continue Readingabout Executive Functioning Skills Checklist →
The Short Answer A crucial step in our process is a one-on-one with a trained educator who is facile with Zoom. For group instruction without adequate digital ...
Continue Readingabout Do Students Learn as Much From Online Courses? →
As online education continues to expand in the United States and worldwide, studies have been conducted to examine the efficacy of online learning. As indicated in The ...
Continue Readingabout How is Online Learning Beneficial? →
What is the Essential Eight? At Novella Prep, we have found that the Essential Eight, a term we coined in 2022 to describe the second eight hours ...
Continue Readingabout The Essential Eight →
How to be Icarus but Avoid the Sun: College Planning for the Ambitious but Balanced As one admissions cycle comes to a close, a new one opens ...
Continue Readingabout College Planning for the Ambitious But Balanced →
This article by Tony Di Giacomo Ph.D. originally appeared on River Journal Online Acceptance to a top-choice, best-fitting school is something about which students and parents dream. ...
Continue Readingabout Road to College: A Parent’s Role in the College Process – Finding Balance →
This article by Tony Di Giacomo Ph.D. originally appeared on River Journal Online The college planning process is no longer defined by the early months of senior ...
Continue Readingabout Road to College: Taking the Long-Term View →
Where To Apply for College Scholarships Life is busy already with school and college applications so why take the time to apply for scholarships and how do ...
Continue Readingabout How to Apply for Scholarships for College →
What Are The First Steps in Deciding How Many Colleges to Apply To? Your college list is made. You have sorted colleges by selectivity to identify reach, ...
Continue Readingabout How Many Colleges Should I Apply To? →
This article by Tony Di Giacomo Ph.D. originally appeared on River Journal Online While admissions decisions for seniors continue to trickle in over these next few weeks, ...
Continue Readingabout Road to College: Emerging Trends & What Still Counts in College Admissions →
New York City-based not-for-profit College Board recently announced that the SAT Suite of Assessments (SAT, PSAT/NMSQT, PSAT 10, PSAT 8/9) are going digital. What is the timeline ...
Continue Readingabout Novella Prep’s Response to the PSAT and SAT Going Digital →
This article by Tony Di Giacomo Ph.D. originally appeared on River Journal Online As temperatures drop and the snow continues to fall, it can be challenging to ...
Continue Readingabout Road to College: Preparing for Summer Enrichment →
Online Learning: Growth, Benefits, and Supporting Our Students Online learning and the implementation of digital resources in education is continuing to expand and impact our students annually. ...
Continue Readingabout Is Online Learning as Good as Face-to-Face Learning? →
Written by Novella Teacher, Dawn Ruiz, M.S As we gradually move toward a new reality of education, we come to see that many things have changed. Will ...
Continue Readingabout Our Virtual Reality: Perspectives on Online Learning →
The abrupt transition to online schooling left many students feeling stressed, anxious, and in distress as they were forced to abandon familiar learning environments for a new ...
Continue Readingabout Navigating the Transition Back to School →
Originally published by the author in the riverjournalonline.com Road to College series On the road to college, organization is paramount. Throughout a student’s academic career organizing school work, academic activities, ...
Continue Readingabout Road to College: Executive Functioning Skills for All →
Today’s students are so often focused on the “what.” What classes will they take next year? What experiences will they seek out over the summer? What colleges ...
Continue Readingabout How Purpose & Motivation Facilitate Student Success: Start with “Why?” →
Originally published by the author in the riverjournalonline.com Road to College series The 2020-2021 college admissions cycle was certainly the most disruptive of any year in recent memory due to ...
Continue Readingabout Road to College: The 2021 Admissions Cycle Trends: Key Takeaways →
When setting goals, it is important to have a clear vision for achieving objectives. The acronym S.M.A.R.T was adopted in the world of education, after originating in ...
Continue Readingabout Planning for Success: How To Use S.M.A.R.T Goals →
Originally published by the author in NYMetroParents Many parents wonder whether an A in a Regents or College Prep class is better than a B in an AP course. ...
Continue Readingabout The Pros and Cons of AP Classes →
Originally published in NYMetroParents Widespread changes across the admissions process certainly show the continuing impact of COVID-19 on the world of higher education, and leave a number ...
Continue Readingabout How To Approach Test-Optional Admissions →
Originally published by the author in the riverjournalonline.com Road to College series & in NYMetroParents Choosing a college is the culmination of many years of hard work on the ...
Continue Readingabout Road to College: What to Consider When Making a College Decision →
Originally published by the author in the riverjournalonline.com Road to College series The road to college is a path primarily defined by its destination. While this destination may vary ...
Continue Readingabout Road to College: Selecting a College Major – Where Interests & Skills Intersect →
Originally posted by the author in the riverjournalonline.com Road to College series. For many of us, this March marks almost a full year of online learning. While many schools ...
Continue Readingabout Road to College: Optimizing the Online Learning Mindset →
Amid rising concerns over growing rates of COVID-19 nationwide, a return to fully online learning may once again be a not-so-distant reality for many students. As we ...
Continue Readingabout Shifting Online: The 3 R’s of Virtual Learning Success →
Originally posted by the author in the riverjournalonline.com Road to College series. On the road to college, being proactive is crucial for students at any point along the journey. ...
Continue Readingabout Road to College: ‘Fall’ing in Line with College Planning →
Originally posted by the author in the riverjournalonline.com Road to College series. Whether it’s universities reversing their original instruction plans, or the daily fluctuations of a hybrid ...
Continue Readingabout Road to College: Building an Adaptable Student →
Throughout any school year, it’s common for both educators and students to become overly stressed, overwhelmed with projects, tests, and yes, even that club that was supposed ...
Continue Readingabout Tips to Prevent Student Burnout →
The typical journey of narrowing application lists through a lineup of information sessions and campus tours will no longer be a reality for this year’s rising seniors. ...
Continue Readingabout Making the Most of a College Visit (Virtual Edition) →
While COVID-19 cases surge across the nation, the question remains of how colleges and universities will ultimately be able to navigate the approaching fall semester. How will ...
Continue Readingabout Reopening Campus, Instruction Plans & International Students: How the Fall 2020 Semester Will Look Unlike Any Other →
Families have started to consider moves beyond the big city and into more spacious, suburban homes in less populated areas. A recent Wall Street Journal article noted ...
Continue Readingabout Moving Out of the City? Tips for Finding the Right School District for Your Family →
Originally posted by the author in the riverjournalonline.com Road to College series. As the school year comes to a close and summer quickly approaches, parents and students ...
Continue Readingabout The Road to College: Anticipating Learning Loss and Cultivating Meaningful Summer Experiences →
As the virtual school-year begins to wind down for many students over the coming weeks, a number of looming questions remain among students and parents as they ...
Continue Readingabout Preventing the “COVID-Slide” →
Originally posted by the author in the riverjournalonline.com Road to College series. The road to college remains an ever-changing journey, but much remains constant at the core. ...
Continue Readingabout Road to College: Emerging Issues in Education & How Your Student Can Adapt →
Following the College Board’s announcement that 2020 Advanced Placement exams will be taking place online, students may be left with a number of questions regarding the format, ...
Continue Readingabout AP Exam Changes Amid COVID-19: Studying and Test-Taking Tips for Success →
As schools and universities, along with places of work, close for short or longer term durations, online communication and learning is going to be a critical tool. ...
Continue Readingabout Prepare for Online Learning During the Coronavirus Outbreak: Three Tips to Navigate →
This article by Dr. Tony Di Giacomo originally appeared on River Journal Online. On the road to college, we use milestones to determine what we have accomplished, ...
Continue Readingabout The Road to College: Guide to 2020 →
This article by Dr. Tony Di Giacomo originally appeared on River Journal. On the Road to College, one significant waypoint is the college application deadline, or should ...
Continue Readingabout The Road to College: Application Deadline Tips →
This article by Dr. Tony Di Giacomo originally appeared on River Journal. On the Road to College, one of the issues that affects students and parents alike ...
Continue Readingabout The Road to College: Managing Stress for Parents and Students →
This article by Dr. Tony Di Giacomo originally appeared on River Journal. On the Road to College, we have opportunities to start the year anew. January 1st ...
Continue Readingabout The Road to College: Back-to-School Toolkit →
This article by Dr. Tony Di Giacomo originally appeared on River Journal. On the Road to College, summer is a welcome reprieve from the school year. A ...
Continue Readingabout The Road to College: Making the Most of the Summer →
This article by Dr. Tony Di Giacomo originally appeared on River Journal. On the Road to College, standardized tests occupy much space in the minds of students. ...
Continue Readingabout The Road to College: The “Dashboard” →
Will Study Skills Help My Child With School? Study Skills are a proven way to help students improve their grades, set goals, reduce stress, manage their time, ...
Continue Readingabout 6 Questions to Find Out if Study Skills Can Help Your Child →
The Most Important Factors When Narrowing Down Your College List Making a college list is an exciting part of the college planning process. However, looking at a ...
Continue Readingabout 3 Factors to Consider When Making Your College List →
The College list is an integral part of the college application process and then you sophomores and juniors. The college list is something that causes a little ...
Continue Readingabout How to Build Your College List →
How Do I Find the Best Tutor? For many parents, finding a good tutor is a key component of the academic tool chest to improve or enhance ...
Continue Readingabout How Do I Find the Best Tutor? →
As the school year winds down, we are approaching an important time of year to visit colleges. Because finalizing the college list for rising seniors is critical ...
Continue Readingabout How To Make The Most of a College Visit →
On the road to college, parents and students have much to consider. One question I’m asked quite often is, “When should I start college planning?” The answer: ...
Continue Readingabout Wondering When To Start College Planning? →
The road to college is an enduring theme that helps parents and students conceive of the steps toward college (and life) being akin to a road with ...
Continue Readingabout The Road To College: Essential Steps →
There are two core truths when writing a common application essay as it relates to increasing one’s chances of admission: can you write, well? And, did you ...
Continue Readingabout How to be Uncommon in a World of Common Application Essays →
All of us were outraged by the college cheating scandal, and for many reasons. I recently wrote about this and addressed what I felt were many important ...
Continue Readingabout College Cheating Scandal: Expectations of the Admissions Process →
The college cheating scandal that broke on March 12 offended many people, me among them. While some tried to cast this issue as one of privilege or ...
Continue Readingabout College Cheating Scandal: An Issue of Morals, Not Money →
Please join Novella Prep founder and CEO Dr. Tony Di Giacomo at the Hilton Westchester on March 20th for an in-depth discussion on essential steps juniors need ...
Continue Readingabout Join Us: The Road to College: Essential Steps for Juniors on March 20, 2019 →
So much of being a successful student requires thinking about time. Where you need to be, and for how long, what you need to do, and how ...
Continue Readingabout Reimagining Student Success Series Chapter #12: The College Planning Timeline →
The college essay has become almost mythological, taking on such attention in the college planning process that students get stressed and have trouble even starting the writing ...
Continue Readingabout Reimagining Student Success Series Chapter #11: The College Essay and Your Narrative →
Of all the parts of high school that cause confusion, testing easily ranks among the highest. Most countries have one main test related to college admission, ...
Continue Readingabout Reimagining Student Success Series Chapter #10: Standardized Testing 101 →
In the previous blog series, the focus has been on optimizing student success; leading toward less stress; better grades; deeper learning; and ultimately better preparedness for best ...
Continue Readingabout Reimagining Student Success Series Chapter #9: College Planning 101 →
All students should have an expectation of what grade they hope to achieve in any given class — before the class starts! Not all students may ...
Continue Readingabout Reimagining Student Success Series Chapter #8: Grade Expectations →
Course sequencing? What does this mean? Imagine you are about to choose courses for your junior or senior year and realize that certain courses are not ...
Continue Readingabout Reimagining Student Success Series Chapter #7: Charting the Right Course →
Plan the year, plan the quarter, plan the week, and live the day. A simple mantra, but one that has a powerful application for academic and test ...
Continue Readingabout Reimagining Student Success Series Chapter #6: Five Ways to Reduce Stress in School →
One of the most challenging things that happens on a student’s journey from middle school to high school is based in psychology: as humans, we begin to ...
Continue Readingabout Reimagining Student Success Series Chapter #5: Resetting the Relationship: 8 Suggestions for Parents and Students →
A simple ethos can help you reimagine student success by following the 3 R’s: Retention, Relationships, and Responsibility. Presuming you have your homework schedule established, and know ...
Continue Readingabout Reimagining Student Success Series Chapter #4: Three Elements to Become a Better Student →
So much in your life as a student is scheduled out for you, whether your school calendar, your sports, volunteering, club, church or community engagements, family activities ...
Continue Readingabout Reimagining Student Success Series Chapter #3: 5 Tips to Become a Homework Expert →
As students, you juggle so many tasks and expectations, whether school assignments, clubs, activities, friends, family, chores, or volunteering. Whether you are getting high grades in the ...
Continue Readingabout Reimagining Student Success Series Chapter #2: A Checklist to Measure Study Habits →
With all of the information we have at our fingertips, why is being a successful student so challenging? As parents, we want the best for our children, ...
Continue Readingabout Reimagining Student Success Series Chapter #1: Achievement within Reach →
With the shining star of many college applications being the Common Application essay or main college essay, many students are surprised to see the volume of work ...
Continue Readingabout 5 Tips for College Application Supplemental Essays →
In a word: holistic. Said differently: thorough. Think about the difference between traditional vs. preventative care in health, and you understand how we are different. We prepare ...
Continue Readingabout How Novella Prep Differs →
Plan the year, plan the quarter, plan the week, and live the day. A simple mantra we at Novella Prep have found to be powerful for academic ...
Continue Readingabout How to Reduce Stress in School →
As seen in NYMetroParents, below is helpful insight for parents of 12th grade students by the founder of Novella Prep. College Planning in 12th Grade Now in ...
Continue Readingabout College Planning for Parents of 12th Grade Students →
As seen in NYMetroParents, below are some great suggestions for parents of 11th graders who are beginning, or in the middle of, college planning. College Planning in ...
Continue Readingabout College Planning for Parents of 11th Grade Students →
Featured in NYMetroParents, the following article provides insight into college planning for 10th graders by Novella Prep's founder. These tips will help your teen feel less overwhelmed ...
Continue Readingabout College Planning for Parents of 10th Grade Students →
Many parents, students, and educators have questions about the SAT or ACT in terms of how they are similar, how they are different, and which is best ...
Continue Readingabout SAT vs. ACT: How to Choose Which is Right for You? →
What are the differences between practice tests and diagnostic tests for standardized test prep? First, a diagnostic test should provide you, the parent, with insight about the ...
Continue Readingabout Better Test Scores: Practice Test vs. Diagnostic →
How does a college major relate to future employment? What should students do in each grade to prepare for college? Should my son or daughter get an ...
Continue Readingabout FAQs →
In a word: holistic. Said differently: thorough. Think about the difference between traditional vs. preventative care in health, and you understand how we are different. We prepare ...
Continue Readingabout How Novella Prep Differs from Other Test Prep Centers →
Course sequencing? What does this mean? Imagine your son or daughter is a junior about to choose courses for his or her senior year and realizes that ...
Continue Readingabout Charting the Right Course →
All students should have an expectation of what grade they hope to achieve in any given class -- before the class starts! Not all students may aim ...
Continue Readingabout Grade Expectations: The Key to Schooling Success →
Goal setting: work with your daughter or son to set expectations in terms of grades by each subject. Do not just wait and see: aim for what ...
Continue Readingabout Back To School: 10 Tips on How to Be Ready →
An oft-written question, but still, many parents wonder whether an A in a Regents or College Prep class is better than a B in an AP class. ...
Continue Readingabout To AP or Not to AP →
As 10th graders, the primary focus of college planning should be building upon the groundwork laid in the freshman year. This means not only maintaining strong grades ...
Continue Readingabout High School Milestones: 10th Grade →
Transitioning from middle school to high school marks an important phase in a student's academic journey. As they embark on this new chapter, 9th-grade students must begin ...
Continue Readingabout College Planning Checklist for 9th Graders →
Introduction This article aims to help you understand the impact of the historic decision regarding Affirmative Action in college admissions. College admission policies influence choices made by ...
Continue Readingabout Affirmative Action in College Admissions: The Rationale, Historical Context, and Controversy →
The college application process is a significant milestone in a student's academic journey. Alongside academic achievements, extracurricular activities, and personal essays, letters of recommendation play an important ...
Continue Readingabout Who Should You Ask for College Recommendations? →
The college application process can be a daunting experience for many high school students. One of the key components of this process is academic performance, which is ...
Continue Readingabout What Grades Do Colleges Look At? →
The college application process is an exciting but challenging journey for many students. One of the most significant components of this process is the college essay. The ...
Continue Readingabout What Are The Best College Essay Topics? →
Assessing Academic and Career Goals The first step in starting a college plan is for students to assess their academic and career goals. Students explore questions such ...
Continue Readingabout How To Start A College Plan →
Importance of College Planning The decision to attend college is one of the most important decisions a student can make. The college experience has the potential to ...
Continue Readingabout The Importance of College Planning →
The Importance of Early College Planning The decision to attend college is a significant milestone in any student's life and planning for college requires ample preparation and ...
Continue Readingabout When Should I Start Planning for College? →
How to be Icarus but Avoid the Sun: College Planning for the Ambitious but Balanced As one admissions cycle comes to a close, a new one opens ...
Continue Readingabout College Planning for the Ambitious But Balanced →
This article by Tony Di Giacomo Ph.D. originally appeared on River Journal Online Acceptance to a top-choice, best-fitting school is something about which students and parents dream. ...
Continue Readingabout Road to College: A Parent’s Role in the College Process – Finding Balance →
This article by Tony Di Giacomo Ph.D. originally appeared on River Journal Online The college planning process is no longer defined by the early months of senior ...
Continue Readingabout Road to College: Taking the Long-Term View →
Where To Apply for College Scholarships Life is busy already with school and college applications so why take the time to apply for scholarships and how do ...
Continue Readingabout How to Apply for Scholarships for College →
What Are The First Steps in Deciding How Many Colleges to Apply To? Your college list is made. You have sorted colleges by selectivity to identify reach, ...
Continue Readingabout How Many Colleges Should I Apply To? →
This article by Tony Di Giacomo Ph.D. originally appeared on River Journal Online While admissions decisions for seniors continue to trickle in over these next few weeks, ...
Continue Readingabout Road to College: Emerging Trends & What Still Counts in College Admissions →
This article by Tony Di Giacomo Ph.D. originally appeared on River Journal Online As temperatures drop and the snow continues to fall, it can be challenging to ...
Continue Readingabout Road to College: Preparing for Summer Enrichment →
Originally published by the author in the riverjournalonline.com Road to College series On the road to college, organization is paramount. Throughout a student’s academic career organizing school work, academic activities, ...
Continue Readingabout Road to College: Executive Functioning Skills for All →
Today’s students are so often focused on the “what.” What classes will they take next year? What experiences will they seek out over the summer? What colleges ...
Continue Readingabout How Purpose & Motivation Facilitate Student Success: Start with “Why?” →
Originally published by the author in the riverjournalonline.com Road to College series The 2020-2021 college admissions cycle was certainly the most disruptive of any year in recent memory due to ...
Continue Readingabout Road to College: The 2021 Admissions Cycle Trends: Key Takeaways →
Originally published by the author in NYMetroParents Many parents wonder whether an A in a Regents or College Prep class is better than a B in an AP course. ...
Continue Readingabout The Pros and Cons of AP Classes →
Originally published in NYMetroParents Widespread changes across the admissions process certainly show the continuing impact of COVID-19 on the world of higher education, and leave a number ...
Continue Readingabout How To Approach Test-Optional Admissions →
Originally published by the author in the riverjournalonline.com Road to College series & in NYMetroParents Choosing a college is the culmination of many years of hard work on the ...
Continue Readingabout Road to College: What to Consider When Making a College Decision →
Originally published by the author in the riverjournalonline.com Road to College series The road to college is a path primarily defined by its destination. While this destination may vary ...
Continue Readingabout Road to College: Selecting a College Major – Where Interests & Skills Intersect →
Originally posted by the author in the riverjournalonline.com Road to College series. For many of us, this March marks almost a full year of online learning. While many schools ...
Continue Readingabout Road to College: Optimizing the Online Learning Mindset →
Originally posted by the author in the riverjournalonline.com Road to College series. On the road to college, being proactive is crucial for students at any point along the journey. ...
Continue Readingabout Road to College: ‘Fall’ing in Line with College Planning →
Originally posted by the author in the riverjournalonline.com Road to College series. Whether it’s universities reversing their original instruction plans, or the daily fluctuations of a hybrid ...
Continue Readingabout Road to College: Building an Adaptable Student →
The typical journey of narrowing application lists through a lineup of information sessions and campus tours will no longer be a reality for this year’s rising seniors. ...
Continue Readingabout Making the Most of a College Visit (Virtual Edition) →
While COVID-19 cases surge across the nation, the question remains of how colleges and universities will ultimately be able to navigate the approaching fall semester. How will ...
Continue Readingabout Reopening Campus, Instruction Plans & International Students: How the Fall 2020 Semester Will Look Unlike Any Other →
Originally posted by the author in the riverjournalonline.com Road to College series. As the school year comes to a close and summer quickly approaches, parents and students ...
Continue Readingabout The Road to College: Anticipating Learning Loss and Cultivating Meaningful Summer Experiences →
Originally posted by the author in the riverjournalonline.com Road to College series. The road to college remains an ever-changing journey, but much remains constant at the core. ...
Continue Readingabout Road to College: Emerging Issues in Education & How Your Student Can Adapt →
This article by Dr. Tony Di Giacomo originally appeared on River Journal Online. On the road to college, we use milestones to determine what we have accomplished, ...
Continue Readingabout The Road to College: Guide to 2020 →
This article by Dr. Tony Di Giacomo originally appeared on River Journal. On the Road to College, one significant waypoint is the college application deadline, or should ...
Continue Readingabout The Road to College: Application Deadline Tips →
This article by Dr. Tony Di Giacomo originally appeared on River Journal. On the Road to College, one of the issues that affects students and parents alike ...
Continue Readingabout The Road to College: Managing Stress for Parents and Students →
This article by Dr. Tony Di Giacomo originally appeared on River Journal. On the Road to College, we have opportunities to start the year anew. January 1st ...
Continue Readingabout The Road to College: Back-to-School Toolkit →
This article by Dr. Tony Di Giacomo originally appeared on River Journal. On the Road to College, summer is a welcome reprieve from the school year. A ...
Continue Readingabout The Road to College: Making the Most of the Summer →
This article by Dr. Tony Di Giacomo originally appeared on River Journal. On the Road to College, standardized tests occupy much space in the minds of students. ...
Continue Readingabout The Road to College: The “Dashboard” →
The Most Important Factors When Narrowing Down Your College List Making a college list is an exciting part of the college planning process. However, looking at a ...
Continue Readingabout 3 Factors to Consider When Making Your College List →
The College list is an integral part of the college application process and then you sophomores and juniors. The college list is something that causes a little ...
Continue Readingabout How to Build Your College List →
As the school year winds down, we are approaching an important time of year to visit colleges. Because finalizing the college list for rising seniors is critical ...
Continue Readingabout How To Make The Most of a College Visit →
On the road to college, parents and students have much to consider. One question I’m asked quite often is, “When should I start college planning?” The answer: ...
Continue Readingabout Wondering When To Start College Planning? →
The road to college is an enduring theme that helps parents and students conceive of the steps toward college (and life) being akin to a road with ...
Continue Readingabout The Road To College: Essential Steps →
There are two core truths when writing a common application essay as it relates to increasing one’s chances of admission: can you write, well? And, did you ...
Continue Readingabout How to be Uncommon in a World of Common Application Essays →
All of us were outraged by the college cheating scandal, and for many reasons. I recently wrote about this and addressed what I felt were many important ...
Continue Readingabout College Cheating Scandal: Expectations of the Admissions Process →
The college cheating scandal that broke on March 12 offended many people, me among them. While some tried to cast this issue as one of privilege or ...
Continue Readingabout College Cheating Scandal: An Issue of Morals, Not Money →
Please join Novella Prep founder and CEO Dr. Tony Di Giacomo at the Hilton Westchester on March 20th for an in-depth discussion on essential steps juniors need ...
Continue Readingabout Join Us: The Road to College: Essential Steps for Juniors on March 20, 2019 →
So much of being a successful student requires thinking about time. Where you need to be, and for how long, what you need to do, and how ...
Continue Readingabout Reimagining Student Success Series Chapter #12: The College Planning Timeline →
The college essay has become almost mythological, taking on such attention in the college planning process that students get stressed and have trouble even starting the writing ...
Continue Readingabout Reimagining Student Success Series Chapter #11: The College Essay and Your Narrative →
In the previous blog series, the focus has been on optimizing student success; leading toward less stress; better grades; deeper learning; and ultimately better preparedness for best ...
Continue Readingabout Reimagining Student Success Series Chapter #9: College Planning 101 →
With the shining star of many college applications being the Common Application essay or main college essay, many students are surprised to see the volume of work ...
Continue Readingabout 5 Tips for College Application Supplemental Essays →
As seen in NYMetroParents, below is helpful insight for parents of 12th grade students by the founder of Novella Prep. College Planning in 12th Grade Now in ...
Continue Readingabout College Planning for Parents of 12th Grade Students →
As seen in NYMetroParents, below are some great suggestions for parents of 11th graders who are beginning, or in the middle of, college planning. College Planning in ...
Continue Readingabout College Planning for Parents of 11th Grade Students →
Featured in NYMetroParents, the following article provides insight into college planning for 10th graders by Novella Prep's founder. These tips will help your teen feel less overwhelmed ...
Continue Readingabout College Planning for Parents of 10th Grade Students →
Course sequencing? What does this mean? Imagine your son or daughter is a junior about to choose courses for his or her senior year and realizes that ...
Continue Readingabout Charting the Right Course →
All students should have an expectation of what grade they hope to achieve in any given class -- before the class starts! Not all students may aim ...
Continue Readingabout Grade Expectations: The Key to Schooling Success →
Transitioning from middle school to high school marks an important phase in a student's academic journey. As they embark on this new chapter, 9th-grade students must begin ...
Continue Readingabout College Planning Checklist for 9th Graders →
The college application process is a significant milestone in a student's academic journey. Alongside academic achievements, extracurricular activities, and personal essays, letters of recommendation play an important ...
Continue Readingabout Who Should You Ask for College Recommendations? →
The college application process is an exciting but challenging journey for many students. One of the most significant components of this process is the college essay. The ...
Continue Readingabout What Are The Best College Essay Topics? →
Assessing Academic and Career Goals The first step in starting a college plan is for students to assess their academic and career goals. Students explore questions such ...
Continue Readingabout How To Start A College Plan →
Where To Apply for College Scholarships Life is busy already with school and college applications so why take the time to apply for scholarships and how do ...
Continue Readingabout How to Apply for Scholarships for College →
What Are The First Steps in Deciding How Many Colleges to Apply To? Your college list is made. You have sorted colleges by selectivity to identify reach, ...
Continue Readingabout How Many Colleges Should I Apply To? →
The abrupt transition to online schooling left many students feeling stressed, anxious, and in distress as they were forced to abandon familiar learning environments for a new ...
Continue Readingabout Navigating the Transition Back to School →
Originally published by the author in the riverjournalonline.com Road to College series On the road to college, organization is paramount. Throughout a student’s academic career organizing school work, academic activities, ...
Continue Readingabout Road to College: Executive Functioning Skills for All →
Today’s students are so often focused on the “what.” What classes will they take next year? What experiences will they seek out over the summer? What colleges ...
Continue Readingabout How Purpose & Motivation Facilitate Student Success: Start with “Why?” →
When setting goals, it is important to have a clear vision for achieving objectives. The acronym S.M.A.R.T was adopted in the world of education, after originating in ...
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Originally published by the author in NYMetroParents Many parents wonder whether an A in a Regents or College Prep class is better than a B in an AP course. ...
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Originally published in NYMetroParents Widespread changes across the admissions process certainly show the continuing impact of COVID-19 on the world of higher education, and leave a number ...
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Originally published by the author in the riverjournalonline.com Road to College series & in NYMetroParents Choosing a college is the culmination of many years of hard work on the ...
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Originally published by the author in the riverjournalonline.com Road to College series The road to college is a path primarily defined by its destination. While this destination may vary ...
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Originally posted by the author in the riverjournalonline.com Road to College series. For many of us, this March marks almost a full year of online learning. While many schools ...
Continue Readingabout Road to College: Optimizing the Online Learning Mindset →
Amid rising concerns over growing rates of COVID-19 nationwide, a return to fully online learning may once again be a not-so-distant reality for many students. As we ...
Continue Readingabout Shifting Online: The 3 R’s of Virtual Learning Success →
Originally posted by the author in the riverjournalonline.com Road to College series. On the road to college, being proactive is crucial for students at any point along the journey. ...
Continue Readingabout Road to College: ‘Fall’ing in Line with College Planning →
Originally posted by the author in the riverjournalonline.com Road to College series. Whether it’s universities reversing their original instruction plans, or the daily fluctuations of a hybrid ...
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Throughout any school year, it’s common for both educators and students to become overly stressed, overwhelmed with projects, tests, and yes, even that club that was supposed ...
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Families have started to consider moves beyond the big city and into more spacious, suburban homes in less populated areas. A recent Wall Street Journal article noted ...
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Originally posted by the author in the riverjournalonline.com Road to College series. As the school year comes to a close and summer quickly approaches, parents and students ...
Continue Readingabout The Road to College: Anticipating Learning Loss and Cultivating Meaningful Summer Experiences →
As the virtual school-year begins to wind down for many students over the coming weeks, a number of looming questions remain among students and parents as they ...
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As schools and universities, along with places of work, close for short or longer term durations, online communication and learning is going to be a critical tool. ...
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This article by Dr. Tony Di Giacomo originally appeared on River Journal. On the Road to College, one of the issues that affects students and parents alike ...
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The College list is an integral part of the college application process and then you sophomores and juniors. The college list is something that causes a little ...
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All students should have an expectation of what grade they hope to achieve in any given class — before the class starts! Not all students may ...
Continue Readingabout Reimagining Student Success Series Chapter #8: Grade Expectations →
Course sequencing? What does this mean? Imagine you are about to choose courses for your junior or senior year and realize that certain courses are not ...
Continue Readingabout Reimagining Student Success Series Chapter #7: Charting the Right Course →
Plan the year, plan the quarter, plan the week, and live the day. A simple mantra, but one that has a powerful application for academic and test ...
Continue Readingabout Reimagining Student Success Series Chapter #6: Five Ways to Reduce Stress in School →
One of the most challenging things that happens on a student’s journey from middle school to high school is based in psychology: as humans, we begin to ...
Continue Readingabout Reimagining Student Success Series Chapter #5: Resetting the Relationship: 8 Suggestions for Parents and Students →
A simple ethos can help you reimagine student success by following the 3 R’s: Retention, Relationships, and Responsibility. Presuming you have your homework schedule established, and know ...
Continue Readingabout Reimagining Student Success Series Chapter #4: Three Elements to Become a Better Student →
So much in your life as a student is scheduled out for you, whether your school calendar, your sports, volunteering, club, church or community engagements, family activities ...
Continue Readingabout Reimagining Student Success Series Chapter #3: 5 Tips to Become a Homework Expert →
Plan the year, plan the quarter, plan the week, and live the day. A simple mantra we at Novella Prep have found to be powerful for academic ...
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How does a college major relate to future employment? What should students do in each grade to prepare for college? Should my son or daughter get an ...
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Goal setting: work with your daughter or son to set expectations in terms of grades by each subject. Do not just wait and see: aim for what ...
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Transitioning from middle school to high school marks an important phase in a student's academic journey. As they embark on this new chapter, 9th-grade students must begin ...
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Introduction This article aims to help you understand the impact of the historic decision regarding Affirmative Action in college admissions. College admission policies influence choices made by ...
Continue Readingabout Affirmative Action in College Admissions: The Rationale, Historical Context, and Controversy →
The college application process is a significant milestone in a student's academic journey. Alongside academic achievements, extracurricular activities, and personal essays, letters of recommendation play an important ...
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The college application process can be a daunting experience for many high school students. One of the key components of this process is academic performance, which is ...
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The college application process is an exciting but challenging journey for many students. One of the most significant components of this process is the college essay. The ...
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Assessing Academic and Career Goals The first step in starting a college plan is for students to assess their academic and career goals. Students explore questions such ...
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Importance of College Planning The decision to attend college is one of the most important decisions a student can make. The college experience has the potential to ...
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The Importance of Early College Planning The decision to attend college is a significant milestone in any student's life and planning for college requires ample preparation and ...
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At Novella Prep, our goal is to contribute to developing a healthy child who finds balance and preparedness for higher education and life. In the process, we ...
Continue Readingabout Raising Students Through a Healthy Perspective: The Novella Prep Way →
The Short Answer A crucial step in our process is a one-on-one with a trained educator who is facile with Zoom. For group instruction without adequate digital ...
Continue Readingabout Do Students Learn as Much From Online Courses? →
What Are The First Steps in Deciding How Many Colleges to Apply To? Your college list is made. You have sorted colleges by selectivity to identify reach, ...
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Online Learning: Growth, Benefits, and Supporting Our Students Online learning and the implementation of digital resources in education is continuing to expand and impact our students annually. ...
Continue Readingabout Is Online Learning as Good as Face-to-Face Learning? →
Written by Novella Teacher, Dawn Ruiz, M.S As we gradually move toward a new reality of education, we come to see that many things have changed. Will ...
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How Do I Find the Best Tutor? For many parents, finding a good tutor is a key component of the academic tool chest to improve or enhance ...
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In a word: holistic. Said differently: thorough. Think about the difference between traditional vs. preventative care in health, and you understand how we are different. We prepare ...
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In a word: holistic. Said differently: thorough. Think about the difference between traditional vs. preventative care in health, and you understand how we are different. We prepare ...
Continue Readingabout How Novella Prep Differs from Other Test Prep Centers →
Manifesting the future that students and parents want, while navigating the competitive nature of the world, can seem formidable. Balancing students’ well-being in a holistic way within ...
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As online education continues to expand in the United States and worldwide, studies have been conducted to examine the efficacy of online learning. As indicated in The ...
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What is the Essential Eight? At Novella Prep, we have found that the Essential Eight, a term we coined in 2022 to describe the second eight hours ...
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So much of being a successful student requires thinking about time. Where you need to be, and for how long, what you need to do, and how ...
Continue Readingabout Reimagining Student Success Series Chapter #12: The College Planning Timeline →
The college essay has become almost mythological, taking on such attention in the college planning process that students get stressed and have trouble even starting the writing ...
Continue Readingabout Reimagining Student Success Series Chapter #11: The College Essay and Your Narrative →
Of all the parts of high school that cause confusion, testing easily ranks among the highest. Most countries have one main test related to college admission, ...
Continue Readingabout Reimagining Student Success Series Chapter #10: Standardized Testing 101 →
In the previous blog series, the focus has been on optimizing student success; leading toward less stress; better grades; deeper learning; and ultimately better preparedness for best ...
Continue Readingabout Reimagining Student Success Series Chapter #9: College Planning 101 →
All students should have an expectation of what grade they hope to achieve in any given class — before the class starts! Not all students may ...
Continue Readingabout Reimagining Student Success Series Chapter #8: Grade Expectations →
Course sequencing? What does this mean? Imagine you are about to choose courses for your junior or senior year and realize that certain courses are not ...
Continue Readingabout Reimagining Student Success Series Chapter #7: Charting the Right Course →
Plan the year, plan the quarter, plan the week, and live the day. A simple mantra, but one that has a powerful application for academic and test ...
Continue Readingabout Reimagining Student Success Series Chapter #6: Five Ways to Reduce Stress in School →
One of the most challenging things that happens on a student’s journey from middle school to high school is based in psychology: as humans, we begin to ...
Continue Readingabout Reimagining Student Success Series Chapter #5: Resetting the Relationship: 8 Suggestions for Parents and Students →
A simple ethos can help you reimagine student success by following the 3 R’s: Retention, Relationships, and Responsibility. Presuming you have your homework schedule established, and know ...
Continue Readingabout Reimagining Student Success Series Chapter #4: Three Elements to Become a Better Student →
So much in your life as a student is scheduled out for you, whether your school calendar, your sports, volunteering, club, church or community engagements, family activities ...
Continue Readingabout Reimagining Student Success Series Chapter #3: 5 Tips to Become a Homework Expert →
As students, you juggle so many tasks and expectations, whether school assignments, clubs, activities, friends, family, chores, or volunteering. Whether you are getting high grades in the ...
Continue Readingabout Reimagining Student Success Series Chapter #2: A Checklist to Measure Study Habits →
With all of the information we have at our fingertips, why is being a successful student so challenging? As parents, we want the best for our children, ...
Continue Readingabout Reimagining Student Success Series Chapter #1: Achievement within Reach →
Online Learning: Growth, Benefits, and Supporting Our Students Online learning and the implementation of digital resources in education is continuing to expand and impact our students annually. ...
Continue Readingabout Is Online Learning as Good as Face-to-Face Learning? →
Written by Novella Teacher, Dawn Ruiz, M.S As we gradually move toward a new reality of education, we come to see that many things have changed. Will ...
Continue Readingabout Our Virtual Reality: Perspectives on Online Learning →
Originally published by the author in the riverjournalonline.com Road to College series On the road to college, organization is paramount. Throughout a student’s academic career organizing school work, academic activities, ...
Continue Readingabout Road to College: Executive Functioning Skills for All →
Today’s students are so often focused on the “what.” What classes will they take next year? What experiences will they seek out over the summer? What colleges ...
Continue Readingabout How Purpose & Motivation Facilitate Student Success: Start with “Why?” →
When setting goals, it is important to have a clear vision for achieving objectives. The acronym S.M.A.R.T was adopted in the world of education, after originating in ...
Continue Readingabout Planning for Success: How To Use S.M.A.R.T Goals →
Originally posted by the author in the riverjournalonline.com Road to College series. For many of us, this March marks almost a full year of online learning. While many schools ...
Continue Readingabout Road to College: Optimizing the Online Learning Mindset →
Amid rising concerns over growing rates of COVID-19 nationwide, a return to fully online learning may once again be a not-so-distant reality for many students. As we ...
Continue Readingabout Shifting Online: The 3 R’s of Virtual Learning Success →
Following the College Board’s announcement that 2020 Advanced Placement exams will be taking place online, students may be left with a number of questions regarding the format, ...
Continue Readingabout AP Exam Changes Amid COVID-19: Studying and Test-Taking Tips for Success →
This article by Dr. Tony Di Giacomo originally appeared on River Journal. On the Road to College, we have opportunities to start the year anew. January 1st ...
Continue Readingabout The Road to College: Back-to-School Toolkit →
Will Study Skills Help My Child With School? Study Skills are a proven way to help students improve their grades, set goals, reduce stress, manage their time, ...
Continue Readingabout 6 Questions to Find Out if Study Skills Can Help Your Child →
So much in your life as a student is scheduled out for you, whether your school calendar, your sports, volunteering, club, church or community engagements, family activities ...
Continue Readingabout Reimagining Student Success Series Chapter #3: 5 Tips to Become a Homework Expert →
As students, you juggle so many tasks and expectations, whether school assignments, clubs, activities, friends, family, chores, or volunteering. Whether you are getting high grades in the ...
Continue Readingabout Reimagining Student Success Series Chapter #2: A Checklist to Measure Study Habits →
New York City-based not-for-profit College Board recently announced that the SAT Suite of Assessments (SAT, PSAT/NMSQT, PSAT 10, PSAT 8/9) are going digital. What is the timeline ...
Continue Readingabout Novella Prep’s Response to the PSAT and SAT Going Digital →
Originally published by the author in the riverjournalonline.com Road to College series The 2020-2021 college admissions cycle was certainly the most disruptive of any year in recent memory due to ...
Continue Readingabout Road to College: The 2021 Admissions Cycle Trends: Key Takeaways →
Originally published by the author in NYMetroParents Many parents wonder whether an A in a Regents or College Prep class is better than a B in an AP course. ...
Continue Readingabout The Pros and Cons of AP Classes →
Originally published in NYMetroParents Widespread changes across the admissions process certainly show the continuing impact of COVID-19 on the world of higher education, and leave a number ...
Continue Readingabout How To Approach Test-Optional Admissions →
This article by Dr. Tony Di Giacomo originally appeared on River Journal. On the Road to College, standardized tests occupy much space in the minds of students. ...
Continue Readingabout The Road to College: The “Dashboard” →
Of all the parts of high school that cause confusion, testing easily ranks among the highest. Most countries have one main test related to college admission, ...
Continue Readingabout Reimagining Student Success Series Chapter #10: Standardized Testing 101 →
Many parents, students, and educators have questions about the SAT or ACT in terms of how they are similar, how they are different, and which is best ...
Continue Readingabout SAT vs. ACT: How to Choose Which is Right for You? →
What are the differences between practice tests and diagnostic tests for standardized test prep? First, a diagnostic test should provide you, the parent, with insight about the ...
Continue Readingabout Better Test Scores: Practice Test vs. Diagnostic →
An oft-written question, but still, many parents wonder whether an A in a Regents or College Prep class is better than a B in an AP class. ...
Continue Readingabout To AP or Not to AP →
Transitioning from middle school to high school marks an important phase in a student's academic journey. As they embark on this new chapter, 9th-grade students must begin ...
Continue Readingabout College Planning Checklist for 9th Graders →
Introduction This article aims to help you understand the impact of the historic decision regarding Affirmative Action in college admissions. College admission policies influence choices made by ...
Continue Readingabout Affirmative Action in College Admissions: The Rationale, Historical Context, and Controversy →
The college application process is a significant milestone in a student's academic journey. Alongside academic achievements, extracurricular activities, and personal essays, letters of recommendation play an important ...
Continue Readingabout Who Should You Ask for College Recommendations? →
The college application process can be a daunting experience for many high school students. One of the key components of this process is academic performance, which is ...
Continue Readingabout What Grades Do Colleges Look At? →
A Quick Review Executive functioning is known as “the management system of the brain”, and includes mental abilities such as working memory, flexible thinking, self-monitoring, and emotion-regulation. ...
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Introduction This article aims to help you understand the impact of the historic decision regarding Affirmative Action in college admissions. College admission policies influence choices made by ...
Continue Readingabout Affirmative Action in College Admissions: The Rationale, Historical Context, and Controversy →
New York City-based not-for-profit College Board recently announced that the SAT Suite of Assessments (SAT, PSAT/NMSQT, PSAT 10, PSAT 8/9) are going digital. What is the timeline ...
Continue Readingabout Novella Prep’s Response to the PSAT and SAT Going Digital →
All of us were outraged by the college cheating scandal, and for many reasons. I recently wrote about this and addressed what I felt were many important ...
Continue Readingabout College Cheating Scandal: Expectations of the Admissions Process →
The college cheating scandal that broke on March 12 offended many people, me among them. While some tried to cast this issue as one of privilege or ...
Continue Readingabout College Cheating Scandal: An Issue of Morals, Not Money →