Sophomores Counselor's Notes
Janet Neal
FEBRUARY Freshman/Sophomore Counselor’s Bulletin
You may take advantage of job shadowing opportunities during the week of February 21-24. Applications can be picked up in the office and are due February 9, 2012. The application has several components with different due dates. Please check the application for each deadline.
Sophomores: Don’t forget! The regular application deadline for the Kiamichi Technology Center is March 1, 2012.
The reading proficiency test will be given on March 7, 2012 in the IETV Room at 3:15 p.m. Registration forms are due in the office on Tuesday, March 6. Only one test date remains: May 2. Remember: The driver’s education office requires a letter from our high school office stating you have passed the reading proficiency test and are attending school regularly. Please plan to stop by the high school office to pick up this letter a few days before you go to the driver’s education office.
Applications to attend the Girls’ Leadership Worldwide Summer Program are available at www.ervk.org. The registration deadline is March 9, 2011.
Choctaw Nation Summer Work applications are due April 16.
Visit www.okhighered.org/Summer-Academies to apply to State Regents Summer Academies in math, science and technology.
You may be eligible to earn FREE tuition to an Oklahoma college or university. Apply for Oklahoma’s Promise online at www.okpromise.org or pick up an application from Mrs. Neal. Please note: The 2010 or 2011 tax returns may be used from
January 1 – April 15. However, if Oklahoma’s Promise receives your application after April 15, you MUST use the 2011 tax return. For questions about Oklahoma’s Promise, please see Mrs. Neal or call Oklahoma’s Promise at 1-800-848-1840. **For those who apply online, the correspondence from OKPromise will be sent to the email address on the application.
Tutoring is offered in Mrs. Compton’s room each Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 3:05-4:10. This is a FREE service provided to all students.
FREE Online tutoring is available from Live Homework Help from 2 – 9 p.m. daily @ www.oklibrary.net. Just click on the picture of the student and then enter your Broken Bow library card number.
To learn about military career options, visit www.todaysmilitary.com/futures.
OU Prospective Students. Create your Sooner Connection today. Visit go2.ou.edu click on “Sooner Connection.” Complete a short interest form and gain access to a personalized web portal where you will find information regarding academics, scholarships, financial aid, and important dates. You will also meet your OU representative.
Visit www.okhighered.org to see estimated costs for students attending Oklahoma public colleges and universities.
If you are planning to be awarded BIA money when you graduate, make sure you have C.D.I.B. and tribal membership cards.
Here are some fantastic websites and resources: okcollegestart.org; okcis.intocareers.org; Ucango2.org; Okcollegeaccess.org; OCAP.org; and Oklahomamoneymatters.org
If you would like the counselor’s bulletin e-mailed monthly, please email your request to jneal@bbisd.org.
If you’d like to track your grades, assignments, and attendance online, go to www.bbisd.org and click on STI INFORMATION NOW. Please see Mrs. Neal if you need the username and password.
Oklahoma’s Promise. . . What’s New for 2011-2012?
“Beginning with the high school graduating class of 2012, all OKPromise high school graduates will be subject to a second family income check when the student begins college. The income of the student’s parents cannot exceed $100,000 at the time the student begins college and income will be verified through filing the FAFSA. The income that will be counted toward the $100,000 limit second income check is “federal adjusted gross income.” The income limit when the student initially applies remains “taxable and nontaxable” income. Please call OKPromise at 1-800-848-1840 if you have questions.
ACT ACT ACT ACT ACT ACT ACT ACT ACT ACT ACT ACT ACT ACT ACT ACT ACT ACT ACT ACT ACT ACT ACT ACT ACT ACT
*The ACT test will be given on April 14, 2012. The regular registration deadline
for this test date is March 9, 2012. Our high school code is 370-478. Remember to take your admission ticket, ID,
pencils, erasers, and an approved calculator. Please see Mrs. Neal if you need an ID letter for the test.
*The next ACT test date is June 9, 2012. The regular registration deadline for this test date is May 4, 2012.
*The Real ACT Prep Guide ($30.95) and ACT Online Prep ($19.95) can be purchased at www.actstudent.org
*The Learning Express Library offers FREE online ACT practice tests. This database is provided as a free service
to the public. Easy access to this website can be found at www.oklibrary.net. Just click on the
Learning Express Library link and begin.
*OU is offering Saturday ACT prep courses throughout the year. The cost is $90. To register, go to http://youth.ou.edu
or see Mrs. Neal.
*If you are planning to take concurrent classes as a junior, you will need to take the ACT test and score a 19 in the
subject area for the class you want to take. You also need to have a 21 composite score or a 3.5 GPA.
*If you have a CDIB card, Johnson O’Malley will reimburse the cost of the ACT test. Please bring proof of payment
to Mrs. Neal or Mrs. Billy.
*Go to www.march2success.com for 7 full-length ACT practice tests.
How to Get Better Grades
1. Study Effectively
• Take care of yourself: Get enough sleep, eat right, and get some exercise to keep your mind sharp.
• Eliminate distractions: Turn off the TV and music, don’t take phone calls, and take periodic breaks to refresh yourself.
• Create a good study spot: Find a quiet, well-lit, comfortable place with everything you need in reach.
2. Study Efficiently
• Avoid procrastination: Make a schedule, break large tasks into smaller ones, and cross off tasks as you finish. Do the hardest thing first and get it over with.
• Organize your homework: Organize your notes by subject, organize your assignments, and write down due dates.
• Study actively: Read headings and subheadings to get an overall idea first. Take notes as you read and ask yourself what the most important parts are.
3. Prepare for Tests
• Learn about the test: Write down what the teacher says the test will cover and what kinds of questions to expect.
• Know what’s important to review: Check questions and problems you missed, be sure you can answer questions in the book, and review your notes.
• Review to remember. Start early so your brain has time to absorb the information. Join a study group to get help from other students. Review actively, reading important parts aloud and writing out answers to questions.
Avoid Bad Study Habits
1. Studying in Bed
● As appealing as it sounds to curl up in bed with your book, your bed is not a good place to study. You’re more likely to fall asleep, so studying in your designated study spot is a much better idea.
2. Cramming Before a Test
● Your brain needs time and repetition to process material, so spread out your study time during the week before the test. Plus, you need a good night’s sleep before the day of the test to stay alert and do your best.
3. Reading Material One Time
● Most people don’t remember the material the first time they read it. By scheduling your study time in advance, you can reread your material so that you will remember more when it’s test time.
4. Doing “Busy Work”
● Doing things like re-copying your notes and organizing your binder are activities that eat into your study time. If you know you have to do these things, schedule extra time apart from studying to get them done.
