Prep for Success

We’re so excited to be partnering with a special teacher to help make her Kindergarten classroom a really special place!

ACT just opened up registration for the Fall 2022 dates. Don’t wait to register so you have the best site selection available. Register at actstudent.org when you create a student profile.

This morning’s test has been postponed! We’ll see you tomorrow, Sunday 1/30/22 at 8:45am for the test this weekend.
Note the 1-hour delay for tomorrow and stay safe & warm today.

Study like a sunflower. 📚 🌻

Sunflowers grow quickly. Many can achieve up to 12 feet of growth in only 3 months. With the proper growing conditions, sunflowers should reach maturity in 70 to 100 days after planting. [You don’t even need this much time to make major improvements on an ACT or SAT score]

The SAT is going digital! We won’t see this change roll out until 2024, so sophomores and juniors can confidently prepare for the exam as it stands without concern.

✨ 2022 ✨

Are you a planner? As you look forward to the new year, consider when it makes the most sense FOR YOU to prep and test. Don’t worry about others’ timelines - there are 14 test dates each year.
Let’s set some goals in 2022! 🎉
Reach out if you need help determining a plan!

If you’ve sent an email in the last few days, we haven’t received it. Please DM or reach us by phone if you’ve tried to reach out recently.

UPDATE: The College Board has announced that the June SAT tests have been cancelled.

Take a look at these details and stay tuned for updates from Prep for Success as additional information becomes available. As always, we are dedicated to identifying the best ways to support our students and their families as we navigate this ever-changing landscape. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.

Tag a student or parent who needs to know about this important testing update in the comments below. ⬇️

You know what they say... practice makes perfect! 💯 Now is a great time to begin studying and practicing for upcoming standardized tests. We're here to help you make the most of this time at home by providing opportunities for test prep tutoring and practice ACT and SAT tests. We'll cover everything you need to know to feel confident about taking the SAT and ACT, from grammar and reading comprehension to critical thinking and data synthesis.

Ready to prep? Email me for more information ([email protected]) or select your time via my Calendly link: https://calendly.com/prepforsuccessrva

📷: Amy Tangerine

🚨LAST CALL 🚨 Don't miss out on our virtual book club for 8th - 12th graders. You asked for ways to keep your high schoolers learning and entertained, and here is your solution! 👉🏻 Today is the last day to sign up here: https://calendly.com/prepforsuccessrva

Here's a reminder about how this will run:

📗 I'll mail the book for your child's grade to your home from the local Fountain Bookstore, Inc.
📘 We'll meet virtually for 30 minutes on Tuesdays starting on April 14th (next Tuesday!)
📗 Book for grades 8 and 9: The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune
📘 Book for grades 10 and 11: Oona out of Order by Margarita Montimore - Author
📗 Book for grade 12: A Good Neighborhood by Therese Anne Fowler Therese Anne Fowler, Author
📘Cost: Only $49 (including book)

📷: Fountain Bookstore, Inc.

I don't know who needs to hear this, but everything is going to be ok. 🌈

Parents - there's one way I can absolutely help make a small part of all this okay. You don't have to start another week stressed about your child's learning. This small business owner would be grateful to help your 6th-12th grader learn and grow from home. I have virtual academic tutoring available via this link: https://calendly.com/prepforsuccessrva

📷: on Instagram

Wow. That's pretty compelling, right? 😲 I have just the thing your student needs right now to keep his or her mind sharp. 📚 A virtual book club!

I've selected 3 different books - one for 8th and 9th graders, one for 10th and 11th graders, and one for your senior. Each Tuesday we'll meet virtually for 30 minutes to discuss that week's readings. 🎉 I'll keep it fun and keep them on track!

You'll even help support fellow local small business Fountain Bookstore, Inc. 📘 I'll purchase the books from their bookstore and send them straight to your home.

👉🏻 Sign up here by April 10: https://calendly.com/prepforsuccessrva! Our first meeting will be on April 14th.

We're launching a 5-week virtual book club for your 8th through 12th graders! Keep their brains active and give them something entertaining to do. 👉🏻 Sign up here by April 10: https://calendly.com/prepforsuccessrva

Let's dig into the details:

📗 I'll mail the book for your child's grade to your home from the local Fountain Bookstore, Inc.
📘 We'll meet virtually for 30 minutes on Tuesdays starting on April 14th
📗 Book for grades 8 and 9: The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune
📘 Book for grades 10 and 11: Oona out of Order by Margarita Montimore - Author
📗 Book for grade 12: A Good Neighborhood by Therese Anne Fowler, Author
📘Cost: Only $49 (including book)

📷: These Novel Thoughts

Would you like to know my recommendations for (school)work-from-home essentials? ✏️📓 Be sure to keep your laptop or tablet, a stash of your favorite pencils, a whole cache of Le Pen or Flair pens, a full water bottle (ok, yes, mine's actually full of coffee), and some set on focus nearby! Visit this link to check out our favorite study supplies: http://a.co/951keFr

Comment below and tell me about your essentials for learning from home. What's working (or not) for you?

📸: on Instagram

As we count down the final minutes of this morning’s practice test, the office feels especially empty. I’m missing the whirr of the pencil sharpener, the rustle of test pages turning and even the squeak of the dry erase markers. The importance of human connection is one of our strongest philosophies and we’re excited about figuring out ways to continue to foster those relationships while encouraging and healthy amounts of screen time. @ us with the surprising thing you’re missing the most and 1 thing you’re doing to stay connected to your people! 💗

Need a little pick-me-up? Write your favorite quote or a motivational phrase on your mirror. You'll see it multiple times a day and get the affirmation you need to start and finish each day strong! 💪

📸: The College Board

ICYMI: April 2020 ACT and May 2020 SAT dates have been cancelled. Students have been encouraged to register for June test dates as quickly as possible, as we anticipate that they may fill.

📝 June SAT date: June 6, 2020. Register at www.collegeboard.org.
📝 June ACT date: June 13, 2020. Register at www.actstudent.org.

At Prep for Success, we have worked to create virtual learning opportunities, which will allow for our students to take advantage of the extended time to prepare for exams. We’ll continue to evaluate, make adjustments and provide alternatives to make sure our students and families are supported as we approach these test dates.

What questions can we answer? Feel free to comment below or send us a message.

5 Tips for Creating the Best Study Space At Home 📚

1) PICK ONE: By designating one room or area as your study space, your brain will catch on and be able to focus in "study mode" more quickly.
2) LIGHTING: Natural light creates warmth! When possible, position your desk or study space near a window.
3) ELIMINATE CLUTTER: Make sure only the necessities are in your sight as you get to work.
4) TURN OFF YOUR PHONE: Or better yet, don't even bring it into your study space! This will help you stay focused and eliminate distractions.
5) LEAVE IT: The point is to make a comfortable study space, but that doesn't mean you should also go there to watch Netflix or chat on the phone. When you leave, your brain will acknowledge that it can take a well-deserved break.

What tips would you add to this list?

📸: Ashlyn Carter - Ashlyn Writes

We see you, parents, 👀 and we get it. It can be tough pumping your kids up to get ready for testing or make schoolwork a priority in this time of so many unknowns. That's where we come in. Prep for Success isn't just about test prep services. We're also there to encourage your students as they work toward their academic goals. We may be test preparation consultants, but we're also your student's accountability partner and cheerleader! 🥳

Share this encouragement with your students by tagging them in the comments below!👇🏼

We’ve been working hard to design the BEST plan to keep you informed and prepared for upcoming test dates. Keep an eye on your email this evening for all the details.

UPDATE: Both the April 4 ACT and May 2 SAT tests have been cancelled due to concerns about the spread of COVID-19. Stay tuned for a later post with more information about virtual tutoring options available from Prep for Success to help students prepare for the next round of standardized tests.

Tag a student or parent who needs to know about this important testing update in the comments below. ⬇️

It's a question I get often... "How can working with a test prep tutor help my student receive a better score?" A one-on-one ACT/SAT test prep instructor can:

📝 Develop a solid study plan based on your student's academic strengths and weaknesses
📝 Equip your student with the most up-to-date practice tests, study guides, and other testing resources
📝 Provide accountability and support throughout the test preparation process
📝 Identify studying methods that will help get your student to their target score

Prep for Success offers personalized test prep solutions for the SAT, ACT, PSAT, and SSAT. What questions do you have about test preparation services for your student? Comment below!

📸: Prep In Your Step

📣 IMPORTANT UPDATE: 📣 As of 3PM today, SAT testing held tomorrow (March 14) has been cancelled at the following school locations: Freeman, Godwin, Heritage, Henrico, Highland Springs, and Varina. No testing make-up days have been announced yet.

In accordance with Governor Northam's declared state of emergency, all K-12 schools will be closed through March 27, at a minimum. This includes public schools in Chesterfield, Henrico, Hanover, and Richmond counties.

The Prep for Success office will be closed for the weekend in order to reschedule and assess how to best support students and families during this unprecedented time. The office will re-open for one-on-one meetings on Monday morning.

Both ACT and Collegeboard are monitoring and will make plans as it develops. we will work with our families to ensure continuity of prep and flexibility around adjusted test dates as needed.

Timeline Photos

Prep for Success updated their business hours.

Prep for Success updated their business hours.

Prep for Success updated their address.

Prep for Success updated their address.

Fantastic advice!

A lot of parents claim they give their kids devices so they can develop and keep their technology skills sharp. If we are not intentional about directing HOW they use this technology, they are likely to leave our homes with virtually ZERO actual marketable computer skills.

I’m an HR Director and my team hires entry-level employees on a daily basis... We hire so many young 20’s who are downright addicted to their phones yet don’t know the absolute basics of using technology and struggle with making and receiving phone calls. The anxiety levels these “kids” (new hires) face when they encounter even small amounts of conflict or gray areas on a customer call can be debilitating for so many of them.

As the Mom of a teenaged son, I thought I’d share some practical ways to prepare your kids for real-life use of technology needed for “adulting.”

1) Have them conduct basic internet research for you...

Examples: Have them research the best way to kill weeds or find the cheapest price for fence replacement, etc. Have them find the cheapest rental car and hotel for your vacation. Talk to them about how reservations and insurance work and HAVE THEM CALL to reserve it. Let them fumble and make mistakes on the call while you’re there to coach and encourage them. If they mess up, who cares? They need to practice while the stakes are low.

2) Have them call to pay any medical bills that come in. Show them where to find Date of Service and Invoice #. Sit with them and coach and encourage them through the call. Tell them what they did right/wrong and watch their confidence grow.

3) Have them call tech support any time something in the home goes down - internet, cable, water, A/C, etc. Let them walk through the steps for internet to come back on. This prevents your kids frantically texting you from college asking what to do.

4) Have them call to schedule their own haircuts, doctor and dentist appointments, and dog grooming appointments. Again, if they sound dumb or forget to say something or ask something, who cares? If they learned something, it was a success!

5) Have them renew your Driver’s License or voter registration online and take ownership of the Registration/Inspection process. They can practice on yours so they know exactly what to do when it’s their turn.

6) Have them complete your online Curbside Pickup grocery order. They can look in the pantry and add items your family needs and you can revise when they’re done. This summer, they can own this and have it completed every Friday night (for example.) Give them a weekly budget. This will teach them how much groceries actually cost. Meeting deadlines and budget limitations are real-life job skills. Maybe one day per week, they can’t use their phones until this is done.

7) Have them research a recipe, add those ingredients to the curbside pickup cart (see above), and make them responsible for cooking dinner one night per week. These are skills they need before they launch into the real world so they might as well learn now. Trust me, they’ll spend way more time than you think looking for the perfect recipe.

😎 Teach them how to use Microsoft Excel! They can use it to make a packing list for your next vacation. Ask them to color code items for each person and have them pack their own bags. Another Excel idea is making and keeping a personal budget or keeping a schedule of activities they want to do this summer. Have them track income of their lawn-mowing job or summer camp fundraising. When the use of technology is practical, they’ll learn it twice as fast and it will stick.

9) Have them make Powerpoint presentations for Grandma’s Birthday or Father’s Day, etc. You’ll be surprised how much time they’ll put into these and how quickly they learn how to use animation and infographics. One of my favorite Mother’s Day memories includes watching a funny slideshow created for me by my 8-yr-old. I once made my kids create a PowerPoint apology to me for sneaking food upstairs. It was hysterical and silly and they spent all day on it. They have some serious PowerPoint presentation skills because of “punishments” like these.

My point is, if our kids have time for HOURS of Snapchat or Instagram, they have time to learn marketable skills on these same laptops and devices. As they become more and more confident in these “adulting” skills, the less anxiety they’ll experience when they’re on their own and are expected to learn them all at once. Ease them into these experiences while you’re there to encourage and equip them.

Side benefit: Encouraging technology use that CREATES and CONTRIBUTES to the family connection is critical to combat depression and hopelessness. When they know their parents are counting on them as a critical part of what makes the family work, it increases their sense of purpose and belonging.

My boys (15 and 11) can confidently navigate self-checkout, withdraw cash from an ATM, pre-pay for gas, order an Uber, make phone calls with confidence, order groceries, manage an Excel “budget”... mainly because their refuses to send them into the workforce without basic skills.
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Join me in the HR Mom Parenting Focus Group where I answer your questions, post videos and host live Q&As as we work to challenge and equip kiddos of all ages: www.Patreon.com/HRmom

This is a great test to take as a baseline - it is one of 3 each year for which the TIR (tear information release) is available. Register at www.actstudent.org before midnight 11/21.

Check our page for information regarding inclement weather closings this weekend.