Ahead of the Curve: December 26, 2014

From the News: 

From Clients:

  • P-R-O-C-R-A-S-T-I-N-A-T-I-O-N:  Teenagers explain waiting until the last minute to finish assignments as “being lazy”, while parents often lament about a “lack of focus” on their kids’ part – citing the internet and cell phones as major distractions.  The truth may be somewhere in between both parents and students explanations, and more complicated.  How much a student “likes” the subject, or even the teacher, may also influence motivation to get the assignment done, despite parents attempts to convince teenagers otherwise.  We all tend to put off work that’s the least pleasant, in spite of its necessity.  Starting conversations with questions can be more productive, rather than “reminders” no matter how seemingly gentle.
  • College majors: the connection between future careers and college majors may not be so clear or linear.  Job training is only only part of a college education.  Since many colleges do not admit students according to a particular major, then students can investigate now what they’d prefer to study.  Career oriented websites can help illuminate students to possibilities in their future, without boxing them into a particular career.
  • To Prep or Not to Prep: And, how much to prep and when to start prep and what kind of prep to do…for the SAT and ACT?  Each student is different in their content knowledge (i.e. what ideas s/he remembers from his/her classes) and her/his ability to take tests, especially in a timed situation, when feeling pressured to answer EVERY question correctly or forfeit ALL chances to be admitted to college.  So, although one wrong answer is NOT going to keep a kid from going to college, the idea that it might can play on a teenager’s mind and cloud her/his ability to answer questions.  Prep work can start with understanding how someone might react in the testing situation, then charting the appropriate course from there.

About Jill Yoshikawa, Ed M, Partner of Creative Marbles Consultancy

Jill Yoshikawa, EdM, Harvard ’99, a seasoned, 25 year educator and consultant, is meticulous in helping clients navigate all aspects of the educational experience, no matter the level of complexity. She combines educational theory with experience to advise families, schools and educators. A UCSD and Harvard graduate, as well as a former high school teacher, Jill works tirelessly to help her clients succeed.
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