<p>Continuing the fish before major test theme, this is what we are having for dinner tomorrow night</p>
<p>[Manhattan-Style</a> Cod Chowder](<a href=“Everything to Make Rachael's Favorite Recipes | Rachael Ray”>Everything to Make Rachael's Favorite Recipes | Rachael Ray)</p>
<p>Y’all do realize that this is a family joke that helps alleviate the stress the night before
: )</p>
<p>BHG’s junior class had a college selection information breakfast today for a whole class period and a half. Topics included dealing with the stress during 11th grade, looking for the perfect safety, talking “wallet” issues with parents before looking at colleges or doing visits, and schools the seniors applied to but will never mention in conversation. </p>
<p>BunHeadGirl said it was pretty informative.</p>
<p>This day has to end ASAP. I was up at 5 and out the door to work at 6:45. Ran out of work at 3 and brought my kid to her 4:00 doctor’s appt. thankfully we were out in five min. She drove home on a long winding road with fast moving cars and then at 5:00 was her tutor. After the tutor she went to her practice ( school was closed today…?) which ends at 8:30. I am finally sitting down to eat and have my wine!! Thankfully my H is picking her up on his way home. No clue why they had a practice today. </p>
<p>Sometimes I am tempted to get rid of my texting because she texted me her mini melt downs all day ( re: Spanish listening sections- some are ok, some are not. That’s life!)</p>
<p>BHG I am curious to hear about the schools that seniors apply to but will never mention in conversation LoL.</p>
<p>BHM - that sounds like a great info session from the school!</p>
<p>@ Twogirls- Here’s some of the one’s BHG wrote down looking for more options:</p>
<p>Our top 2 community colleges
St. Aselam?
U of Alabama
Amla or Alma College
Kent State University
Drexel University
Several directional Us in WI.
Several Tier III in-state LACs
U of North Dakota
South Dakota School of the Mines</p>
<p>There were a bunch more mentioned, but BHG could not get them all written down, as Head Mistress was reading them pretty fast.</p>
<p>Very interesting BHG- I am not familiar with those schools except for Drexel ( I am a little familiar just because it’s on the east coast). I wonder why they don’t talk about Drexel? I believe it gives full scholarships to NMF. Did they give any interesting stress reduction tips? Like maybe a weekend away for the mother? Sounds like a great info session!!</p>
<p>College visit with DD today at Ursinus. She loved the feel but was pretty disappointed that elementary education program didn’t result in certification.</p>
<p>Jm where is the school? What do they expect students to do in order to get certified?</p>
<p>Ursinus is in eastern Pennsylvania. The expectation is that students would go earn a Masters in Teaching (MAT) someplace else to get certified.</p>
<p>That’s too bad. Most of the schools that I am familiar with allow students to graduate with their teaching certification.</p>
<p>This year I went to the college night at one of the high schools in our district by myself. S did not want to go because he said every school would tell him the same thing (He and I had gone the past two years). It was so packed and loud that I could hardly hear my own voice when talking to college reps. I collected a few brochures and that’s about it. Was glad S did not waste his time. At his high school there are usually 2-4 colleges visiting each week. They set up a table at cafeteria either at 8 am or during lunch period. S has talked to a few representatives and gathered some information that way.</p>
<p>Naviance is new to our school this year. As now only seniors have the access to it. </p>
<p>Twogirls-I know what you mean about the texting. Whenever I get a meltdown text, it usually ruins the rest of my day.</p>
<p>I can’t seem to find CB’s new SAT guide (3rd edition). I thought it was supposed to come out a couple months ago (August, maybe?). Has anyone seen it? </p>
<p>Sally - McD’s filet-o-fish counted as “fish”? :)</p>
<p>I don’t think it came out yet. The tutor keeps telling me that the college board makes the test harder every year and the tests from the current blue book are not a true indication of the test ( although it is not TOO far off). He showed me one test from the blue book from 2007 and told me that it was a much easier test than what is given now. He said it is mostly due to vocabulary- there is more of it now than a few years ago. He claims that everybody needs vocabulary work- even kids going to Harvard. I would assume the new book has updated tests, which according to the tutor would be more realistic. I have a hard time believing that the current tests are WAY harder- how could that be?</p>
<p>A lot of the tutors and prep classes around here use their own materials and some have access to more current tests. My daughter is currently keeping a vocabulary folder that she adds to every day- not sure where she is getting the words from. The tutor keeps telling me that the increased difficulty is due to vocabulary. The math is not an issue.</p>
<p>Sunnyday you are right about the college fairs- they are packed and noisy. She is already on the mailing lists for these colleges and I really wanted her to show her face, but if she can’t, she can’t. Her test grades are more impt now as we can visit the schools and many of them come to the HS.</p>
<p>BHM the Canadian reciprocity deal is really amazing. I have a friend who I am strongly enouraging to choose one with/for her son. They have had severe financial challenges and have a bright but inconsistently motivated son who is coming into his own this year. Wants to do the traditional away from home school but won’t be eligible for merit anywhere he wants to go. US Gov student loans can be used in Canana, so between those and current income this family could swing it. I talked with the U of Mantiba rep at the big college fair and she wsa full of helpful information. The dorms and food there sounds great, lots of international students which is a huge plus for my daughter. It is definitely one we will seriously consider. </p>
<p>Minor drama here as D was diagnosed with a slightly buldged disc in her back and ordered into bedrest yesterday, no long car rides for her this week so we won’t visit any schools over MEA. She did let the Dr know she would be going to school for the PSAT tomorrow but otherwise won’t be in school this week, which will be very painful to make up. My D seems to be the kid who always has the weird things happen to her. This is actually from an injury she got while boating last summer, and for some reason has flared up in a big way.</p>
<p>Good luck to all testing tomorrow. At our school only 2/3 of the Jrs will take it. They all took it as sophomores but it is optional as Jrs. I assume those who know they won’t be in range for NMSF opted to sleep in instead!</p>
<p>mittentigger, sorry to hear about your daughter’s back. Hopefully a few days rest will help! </p>
<p>Good luck to those who are testing tomorrow! I am sort of wishing I hadn’t gotten my D to sign up for it. I really didn’t get how optional it actually is! lol She has not studied at all. She was making plans for this weekend and her friend had to remind her that the test is Saturday. lol But it will at least be a sort of practice, and MAYBE it will kick start her into studying for the real SAT/ACT. Here’s hoping. She is just so determined not to stress over things, and she doesn’t want to focus on stressful things.</p>
<p>shoboemom - don’t worry about it! It’s the practice test - just a good way to see what the SAT will be like. Kids aiming for NMF might practice for it, but don’t get sucked into thinking she’s way behind if she isn’t practicing an hour a day or something! Most of the prep in our house has been trying to get rid of a chronic cough before tomorrow. Unsuccessfully. S did do the practice booklet they sent home. I think it’s really good that she’s signed up for it - it will give her good experience and that will help with the real test, even if she doesn’t study for that either. We all find our own path toward college admissions, but my head just spins when I hear descriptions of all the hours spent in test prep! And money. And angst. </p>
<p>Lots of luck to all the kids taking it this week!</p>
<p>mittentigger, so sorry to hear about your D. I imagine that’s pretty painful, and stressful for her to be missing so much school. :(</p>
<p>I second the well wishes for the kids taking the PSAT tomorrow and Saturday. </p>
<p>“We all find our own path toward college admissions…” I need to remember this.</p>
<p>“We all find our own path toward college admissions…” - I love this. Hopefully the path goes through college.</p>
<p>mittentigger, sorry to hear about your daughter - I hope her back feels better after some rest.</p>
<p>shoboemom, I wouldn’t worry about the PSAT. D’s school has everyone in 9,10,11 grades take it. (I asked her about the seniors; what do they do? She says there’s a senior meeting in the auditorium. Long meeting.) Only a few juniors expect to score anywhere close for the NMF state cutoff. D is studying for the November SAT so the PSAT really is a practice test for her. There’s also something to be said for not stressing about or fixating on these things - she’s probably doing what’s right for her at this time.</p>
<p>We’re using the PSAT as an excuse to have sushi tonight. thanks Sally22! :)</p>
<p>@mittentigger, sorry to hear your D’s problem. Health is the most important. Relax and get better! </p>
<p>@twogirls, is your D tutored by a local tutor or online?</p>