Getting the most out of high school and college means studying hard and using your time in class wisely. An effective note-taking strategy can help you do both. Here are the basics.

Stay Organized

It may seem obvious, but your class notes can only help you if you can find them. When you’re taking notes be sure to:

* Keep all your notes in one place.
* Date and number pages; keeping them in order makes it easier to understand them later.

Before Class

Review the materials assigned for that class period thoroughly. Bring a list of any questions you may have.

During Class

One approach that has been proven effective is called the Cornell Note-Taking System. Here are some of its methods.

Start by using the main section of your page to take down your notes during class. Be sure to leave space on the left side of the page and the bottom. Things to keep in mind:

* Get the speaker’s main points. Don’t write down every word you hear.
* Leave blanks in your notes to add explanations later.
* Organize as you write. Pay attention to cues such as repetition and emphasis.
* Indicate main and supporting points as you go.
* Jot down key vocabulary, important facts and formulas.
* Ask questions. If you’re confused, it’s better to ask while the material is fresh in your mind.

After Class

As soon as class ends, review your notes and fill in any blanks. Underline, highlight and use symbols to sort through the information. If you don’t understand something, get help from your teacher or classmates.

After you’ve reviewed all your notes from class, in the left-hand area of the page write down key words and questions your teacher might ask on a test.

At the bottom of each page, write a summary of the notes. This helps you digest what you’ve learned. It also improves your memory of the material for the long term and for tests down the road.
For Review

Once you’ve done all of the above, you’ll find you’ve created your own personalized study guide. Cover the main section of the page and use the key words and questions in the left margin as a quiz.
Stick to It

Review your notes the day you take them and all your notes once a week. That way, you won’t need to study as much when it’s test time. You’ve been doing the work all along.

Try out the Cornell system, but if it doesn’t work for you, experiment with other methods. Ask your classmates how they take notes or ask a teacher for advice. Taking good notes requires practice, like any other skill. And the more you work at it now, the more prepared you’ll be to take notes in college.

Know your facts about the SAT!

The SAT and SAT Subject Tests are a suite of tools designed to assess your academic readiness for college. These exams provide a path to opportunities, financial support and scholarships, in a way that’s fair to all students. The SAT and SAT Subject Tests keep pace with what colleges are looking for today, measuring the skills required for success in the 21st century.
The SAT is the most widely used college admission test. Learn what it tests and how you can best prepare.
Contact Neil@impactlearningcenter.com for more information.

I hope you can join IMPACT Learning Center to help a student start the new school year off feeling confident and proud. Your donation will supply countless children with supplies such as notebooks, folders, pencils, pens, crayons, etc. IMPACT Learning Center will compile materials and prepare them for shipment to various schools throughout our area. Also, IMPACT will be providing these supplies at our cost, without a markup.

I know times are rough right now – but this can make or break a child’s school year. Any donation will be welcomed, but for your information, it costs about $20 to fit out a K, 1st or 2nd grade student, about $25-$30 for a 3rd, 4th or 5th grade student and about $40-$50 for middle and high school students.

Supply donations can be sent to:
Family Service
770 Woodlane Road, Suite 23
Mount Holly, NJ 08060

Don’t have time to shop? Let IMPACT Learning Center will take care of it by mailing a check to:
IMPACT Learning Center
600 Main Street
Riverton, NJ 08077
(make check payable to Impact Learning Center)

If you would like to download a PDF flyer you can print out and share, click here.

IMPACT Learning Center was recently featured in an article in the Burlington County Times. The article, published on 28 March, provides a clear and concise summary of our mission and goals. It also explains the history and of Center and way Neil Clancy founded it. Whether you’re a current customer, or never been in the Center, it’s worth a read.

Click here to view the article.

While IMPACT Learning Center embraces technology as an invaluable aid to help students learn and expand their horizons, there is also a growing concern about kids who spend too much time staring at a computer screen instead of actually going out and living life. Recently, IMPACT’s Neil Clancy was interviewed on a local new show regarding this issue.

Do you know a teenager who was once an avid reader, but now hardly ever opens a book, or perhaps never liked reading in the first place? Teens have so many options for entertainment, so it’s important to remind them to spend time reading for pleasure: it’s free, fun, and can be done anywhere! Research shows that teens who read for fun have better test scores and are more likely to succeed in the workforce.

If you’re looking for ways to introduce a teen you know to the joys of reading, try some of the teen picks below.

HarperTeen Picks by Teens
1. Fragile Eternity By Melissa Marr
2. Gone By Michael Grant
3. Pretty Little Liars By Sara Shepard
4. The Vampire Diaries By L. J. Smith
5. Deadline By Chris Crutcher
6. The Summoning By Kelley Armstrong
7. The Luxe By Anna Godbersen
8. Dope Sick By Walter Dean Myers
9. Stargazer By Claudia Gray
10. Princess Diaries, Volume X: Forever Princess By Meg Cabot
11. Beastly By Alex Flinn
12. On the Bright Side, I’m Now the Girlfriend of a Sex God By Louise Rennison

Vampire Related Teen Fiction
1. The Vampire Diaries
2. Vampire Kisses
3. The Secret Circle
4. Evernight & Stargazer
5. Vamps by Nancy A. Collins
6. Night Road by A.M. Jenkins
7. Dangerous Girls by R.L. Stine

Books for Boys
1. Dope Sick By Walter Dean Myers
2. Freaked By J. T. Dutton
3. Starclimber By Kenneth Oppel
4. Gone By Michael Grant
5. Deadline By Chris Crutcher
6. Yellow Flag By Robert Lipsyte
7. Project Sweet Life By Brent Hartinger
8. Suckerpunch By David Hernandez
9. In Mike We Trust By P. E. Ryan
10. Touching Spirit Bear By Ben Mikaelsen

Coming Soon Picks by Teens
1. Wings Pike By Aprilynne
2. Vampire Kisses 6 By Ellen Schreiber
3. Hunger: A Gone Novel By Michael Grant
4. Emily the Strange
5. Once Dead, Twice Shy (Madison Avery, Book 1) By Kim Harrison
6. Love You Hate You Miss You By Elizabeth Scott
7. L.A. Candy By Lauren Conrad
8. Pretty Little Liars #6: Killer By Sara Shepard
9. Bite Me! By Melissa Francis
10. Georgia 10 (Confessions of Georgia Nicolson) By Louise Rennison
11. Splendor: A Luxe Novel (The Luxe) by Anna Godbersen

Please stop by Impact Learning to find out more about this subject. Neil would be more than happy to answer any of your educational questions.

Hopefully you were able to relax and recharge this summer! For many, this time of year brings mixed emotions. While many students and parents are excited about the new school year, others are not. The advice I offer to all families is this…relax! Go into the new school year with an open mind and leave the past in the past. Form your own opinions about teachers and classmates rather than relying on random gossip. This year can be the best year ever as long as you give it a chance. And please know that Impact Learning Center will be here to assist you with any academic or school related concern that may arise. Remember, there is no such thing as a stupid question!
Good luck, try your best, and have fun!
Neil

Even though the school year ends, learning shouldn’t. This is why schools give students summer reading assignments. IMPACT Learning Center makes it easy to get all the books you need to fill these assignments. Stop by and check out our selection.

Our Education Specialist will work your child to determine what books they need and which ones they will enjoy. You might even find your child wanting to read more than his/her teacher requires! If you really want to motivate your child, try our Reading Workshops.

Now that the school year is coming to a close, IMPACT Learning Center will change to our summer hours of operation. Beginning Monday, June 15, 2009 we will be open Monday – Wednesday & Friday from 9:30 am to 4:00 pm and 9:30 am to 5:30 pm on Thursday.

Don’t forget that tutoring and workshops can be arranged on a very flexible schedule so call or e-mail us to set up sessions that fit your busy schedule.

Guess who’s turning one year old? IMPACT Learning Center is celebrating its first year of service on Saturday, June 13, 2009 from 10 am to 3 pm. If you’ve been here before, stop in and see what’s new and save some money at our special Anniversary Sale. If you’ve never visited IMPACT before, stop in and find out what we have to offer. There will be great prices all day long. As a special bonus, if you sign up for tutoring, you will get one session free when you sign-up for 5 sessions. 

As always, thanks for allowing IMPACT Learning Center to help you help your kids achieve their full academic potential.