Tag Archives: SAT prep

Does Your Child Need a Tutor?

Does your child need a tutor?

Are your kids not wild about going to school? Do they make excuses to skip it everyday? Do they have mysterious conflicts with their teachers, and have trouble getting into and finishing homework? Are their grades erratic and starting to lag behind? Have they stopped being excited about school and don’t talk about it?

If your child is showing any of this behavior, it might be time to get proactive. We all know that students have different learning styles and the traditional classroom of 20 or so students isn’t the best way to learn for everyone. Often there are other, deeper causes. We at TPT are dedicated to devising customized study plans for each student, so no one falls behind. The good news is that as you make your way through this article, you’ll find out that you don’t have to watch your child be unhappy in school. Get involved and give us a call, and we’ll help your kids realize their academic potential.

Continue reading →

Tune in to a Good Grade – Part 1

Tune in to a Good Grade

Does Music Help You Study?

For those parents who are skeptical of their children’s assertions that constantly wearing headphones and being plugged into an iPod or similar, relaxes them and helps them think—it’s true! Even though your kids might not be able to explain to you exactly how, they have a point. Here are some commonly held beliefs about music and its relationship with learning.

Continue reading →

Leverage Your Learning Style: Part 3 – The Auditory Learner

The Auditory Learner

Would you rather ask for directions than study a map? Do you hum along when listening to music? When you read a novel, do you enjoy reading mysteries and thrillers with lots of conversation? Do you often find yourself chatting to the person next to you, when waiting in line at the movies? When preparing for a test do you like to work in study groups and voice the important points out loud? Are you better with names than with faces?

Do we hear a yes? If so, then now you know that you’re an auditory learner! Your ears and your sense of hearing are your most effective learning aids. Now that we’ve identified your learning style, let’s discuss some methods that will help you boost your learning potential. Continue reading →

Leverage Your Learning Style: Part 2 – The Kinesthetic Learner

The Kinesthetic Learner

 

Do you tend to jump for joy in moments of jubilation? When trying to remember something, does it help to fidget? Would you rather take a computer apart in order to figure it out instead of following the manual? Are you fond of constructing diagrammatic models and figures? Does physical exercise cheer you up? Do you tap your foot or nod your head when you listen to music?

You know what we’re getting at — a yes to most of the questions above makes you a kinesthetic learner. Movement and physical activity facilitate your learning and information uptake. Personal experience is your greatest teacher. Now, let’s see how a kinesthetic learner can get the most out of a study session.

Continue reading →

Leverage Your Learning Style: Part 1 – The Visual Learner

The Visual Learner

Do you like reading travel books with lots of pictures? When you’re studying, do you find diagrams and illustrations more helpful than blocks of text? When you’re listening to music, do you like watching the video, or do you find yourself imagining a video as you listen? When you go out to eat, how affected are you by the lighting? Are you better with faces than names? When you’re in line at the movies, do the posters draw your eye more than anything else?

If all of that rings a bell, you’re a visual learner! Your eyes are the gateway to your mind and soul. Now that you know what makes you tick, let’s go over some ways you can really use that to your advantage. Continue reading →

What to Do (and What Not to Do) During a Test – Part II

What to Do (and What Not to Do) During a Test - Part II

So you’ve done all your pre-test rituals, taken a few deep breaths, and you enter the test venue, feeling pretty confident. Some of those nerves will return as you take your seat, and that doesn’t need to be unsettling: getting a little antsy just means you’re raring to go. But here’re some things you can do to keep those nerves on the useful part of the spectrum.

Continue reading →

Curb Your Procrastination



This is a scenario we’re all familiar with: you’re getting ready to study, but you decide to clean up your room first, so you don’t get distracted; or run an errand, so you can really get studying without potential distractions; or any number of things that’ll get in the way of your actually finishing that assignment or prepping for that test. This is procrastination—the bane of every student’s existence, the scholar’s constant temptation, and the wrench in the gears of academic progress!

Here’s the thing: procrastination does you no good. Even while you’re doing it, it’s not like you’re enjoying yourself, because the whole time you’re anxious about the work you should be doing but aren’t. So let’s deal with this thing.

Continue reading →

The Need For Speed Reading: 5 Tips On How To Read Faster

Need For Speed Reading

Have you ever seen a true speed reader?  Check out this video of a speed reader in action.  Although, to be honest, we weren’t talking about speed reading out loud.  We are talking about the kind of speed reading that will get you ahead academically, no need to sound like a chipmunk on 5-hour energy!

Speed reading is a handy skill.  In fact, let’s not even call it speed reading. Instead, we’ll call it “Learning to read faster.”  Research has shown that as you read, your eyes are also moving around and seeing other words on the page at the same time, which can slow you down.  There are also a lot of “filler” words used in text to make it grammatically correct but don’t really add to the meaning.

Continue reading →

5 Fun Summer Reads Recommended For AP Test Prep

Fun Summer Reading

Sigh. We know that summer reading lists are not really a favorite subjects for students trying to enjoy their summer break. However, if you are trying to prepare for the AP English Literature Exam, the summer is a perfect opportunity to “know a few works well” which is what the AP English Literature exam advises.

Here are 5 great summer reads that are enjoyable, in addition to helping you prepare for the AP Exam.  Rather than having to read amidst 4-6 other classes’ worth of homework, you can take your time and make yourself an expert on these novels. Then, you can save the more, shall we say “challenging” (meaning often dry and difficult to figure out without the help of a teacher) texts for when you’re back in school.

Continue reading →