This post is part of a week-long series to help new high school and college students prepare for their freshman year. Throughout this week, visit the Varsity Tutors blog for advice, tips, and tricks for this critical transition. High school poses a great opportunity to simultaneously expand your interests while strengthening your college applications through extracurricular activities. Each school varies in its offerings, but you’ll typically encounter a plethora of options, varying from student council to robotics club. As a high school freshman, though, how do you make the most of your involvement? You can maximize your high school ex ...Read More About How to Maximize Your High School Extracurriculars

This post is part of a week-long series to help new high school and college students prepare for their freshman year. Throughout this week, visit the Varsity Tutors blog for advice, tips, and tricks for this critical transition. As the first day of high school approaches, your uncertainty about what’s to come may be growing. You’re about to face a new school, new teachers, and new classmates. While this can feel intimidating, high school also includes a wealth of opportunities that middle school never did. In an effort to feel more at ease going into this transition, it’s important to be as prepared as possible by gathering ...Read More About 4 Things to Know Before Starting High School

By this time in summer break, the days are long and the motivation to study is scarce. Luckily, there are some study strategies that won’t feel much like work. Technology offers high school and college students many unique resources to take advantage of during the summer months. Are you looking for fun ways to keep your mind active? Here are three tech resources—TED talks, YouTube channels, and television series—to make summer learning fun: Tech resource #1: TED talks TED talks are 10- to 20-minute speeches given by experts in a particular field. These talks are generally interesting, engaging, and easy to understand. Ther ...Read More About Make Learning Fun This Summer with These 3 Tech Resources

For high-achieving high school students seeking a challenge, there are two abbreviations to become familiar with: AP and IB. AP, or Advanced Placement, classes help prepare high school students for college by providing the opportunity to take one or more college-level courses and earn college credit. IB, or International Baccalaureate, classes are part of a system where high school students can earn an internationally recognized diploma by following a specific course program. Both AP and IB courses offer students a challenging academic experience and the opportunity to earn college credit. Students can choose between AP and IB classes by unde ...Read More About How to Decide Between AP and IB Classes

While summer is a time for rest and relaxation, it’s also a great opportunity to get a jump start on your SAT subject test prep. Regardless of which test you’re planning to tackle in the fall, there are steps you can take today to set yourself up for success. Tactics for summer SAT subject test prep include using the Pomodoro Technique to hone your focus, setting strict prep deadlines, and finding review techniques specific to your prep needs and learning style. Keep reading to learn how you can take advantage of the summer months to strengthen your SAT subject test prep: Tactic #1 for summer SAT subject test prep: implement the ...Read More About 3 Tactics for Summer SAT Subject Test Prep