UnMazed: Teen's Guide to Academic Success (September 2019)

September 2019

UnMazed

Magazine

Teen's Guide to Academic Success

YOUR BEST SELF TIPS TO SUCCESS DEVELOPING YOU

C O N T E N T SÂ Teen's Guide to Academic Success September 2019

8

Study Tips That Work

9

Helping Teens Advocate for Themselves

12 Beyond the Classroom: The Benefits of Global Awareness 14 Today's News: Real of Fake?

15

As Your School Counselor, I Believe...

17

5 Ways to Keep Your Chin Up

18

Ways to Organize Your Time

20 22 23

How to Create Academic Independence & Stay Connected The "Academic" Factor of Student Success The "You" Factor of Student Success

24

Self Discovery: The Art of Defining Yourself

28

Types of Learners

28

Florida Atlantic University

29

Florida SouthWestern State College

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UNMAZED MAGAZINE: EDITOR LETTER

Letter from the Editor I have always loved this time of the year as both students

New skills of checking their learning management systems,

and parents are ready to start fresh a new school year with

writing assignments down in planners, doing their work, and

renewed determination and excitement. However, after

turning assignments in take time and persistence on all

twenty years in education, I have learned that that are some

parties.

key strategies to start the year off right- for both parents and students!

As an educator, I suggest to parents to sit down and create together a School Vision Board with the student's goals;

This month's magazine has devoted 30 pages of helping you

personal, academic, and social. Have them be attainable and

navigate the beginning of the school year like a champ. From

something they need to work on. Wherever their designated

academic planning to time management and study strategies

study space is, clearly display this and refer to it often when

all the experts have put forth great articles to ensure your

your student is struggling.

student is successful this year.

Here is just one example of a vision board. This is a great I have had the privilege of working with all types of

activity for all ages and one that that elicits quite a bit of

students- advanced, struggling, public school, home

discussion about the upcoming year- this is especially true as

education. and more. From all my hours of working with

your student transitions into a new their new grade and new

families, the essential theme is that students all need

school year. Like all parents and educators, I want everyone

support and reassurance that they are on the right track.

to start off successful and stay that way throughout the entire year.

By: Dr. Amanda Sterk, Senior Editor and Founder of UnMazed Magazine asterk@unmaze.me

SEPTEMBER 2019, ISSUE 15, UNMAZED MAGAZINE 5

Magazine articles and more can be found at www.unmaze.me Your complete set of Florida resources for student success.

Contact us: We enjoy hearing from from parents, students, and educators throughout the state. Send us your photos, letters, or comments to asterk@unmaze.me.

Or visit us online: www.unmaze.me Do you want to collaborate? This magazine is designed for educators across the state to share their expertise on a variety of topics. We welcome those who would like to participate in creating this resource. Visit us here: http://www.unmaze.me/contributors.

UnMazed Where Experts Meet for Teen Success

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COLLEGE UNMAZED: YOUR GUIDE TO THE FLORIDA COLLEGE & UNIVERSITY SYSTEM College UnMazed started as one school counselor’s passion to help the families she served to go through the high school to college process with as much ease and confidence as possible. The 2nd Edition of College UnMazed: Your Guide to the Florida College & University System was written in collaboration with multiple local and state organizations, school counselors, teachers, educational support businesses, higher education institutions, and most importantly- parents and students. College UnMazed takes the guesswork out of the college application and scholarship process in a way that reduces time and maximizes results.

Sample Pages

STUDY TIPS THAT WORK!

Set Study Goals

Collaborate with Study Partners

Test Yourself

There is lots of credible research suggesting that goal setting can be used as part of a strategy to help people successfully effect positive changes in their lives, so never underestimate the power of identifying to yourself the things you want to achieve.

At this stage of the school year, you are getting to know your classmates. This is a good point in time to select a couple of study partners, who seem like they know the materiel, who you know you work well with, and are also motivated to achieve good grades also.

Sometimes simply entering an exam environment is enough to make you forget some of the things you’ve learned. The solution is to mentally prepare for the pressure of having to remember key dates, facts, names, formulas and so on.

Testing yourself with regular quizzes is a great way of doing this.

Source

NANCY FREDE, EDUCATIONAL ADVOCATE

Helping Teens Advocate for Themselves There is no doubt that when teens get to college they need to be able to advocate for themselves, mom and dad and their teachers from high school are no longer watching over their shoulder reminding them about overdue homework, getting better grades, attending classes, taking notes, studying for the tests, completing long term projects on schedule and checking in with the teachers for progress updates.

Here are a few tips to help your teen transition to college and/or a career: Your teen needs to know what they can do, how they learn and what makes it easier for them to understand the world around them to succeed.

He/she needs to have ongoing communication in high school with the teaching team to understand more how to succeed and overcome challenges.

Help your teen to learn how to communicate by helping them to ask questions for what they need in a respectful manner particularly when they don’t understand what is expected, then listen to the answers, write them down by taking notes and then make a plan.

Your goal is to help your teen gain confidence that it is okay to ask questions in a respectful manner.

Help your teen to learn to email their questions to a teacher with special attention to their spelling, grammar and tone. However as equally important is to teach them to reply to the teacher’s email answer with a “thank you for your help”. Learning courtesy is so important to keep the door open for further communication.

Nancy Frede is an educational consultant that works privately with students and parents to maximize their academic success.

Help your teen to identify and recognize his/her support teamincluding family members, former teachers, counselors and principals, and at the college level which resources will be important to reach out to.

If your child has an IEP, your teen should be participating in every IEP team meeting to understand the plan and advocate for himself tobe able to communicate his/her needs in college or the workplace.

Here are some great self advocacy resources to share with your teens https://www.understood.org/en/friendsfeelings/empowering-your-child/self-advocacy/6-tipsfor-helping-your-high-schooler-learn-to-self-advocate http://www.utahparentcenter.org/publications/infoshee ts/transadultinfosheets/tips-for-teens/ http://www.parentcenterhub.org/repository/priorityselfadvocacy/ http://www.tacanow.org/family-resources/teens-withasd-self-advocacy/

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? y d a e ries

R U #ReMakers Succ

r u t u F

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E W E

LIV

ess Se

EVENT DETAILS: 2nd Tuesday of the month, 7:00-8:00 pm Join us each month for an informative live video webinar where numerous higher education and community organizations discuss topics that are important to families navigating the high school to college process.

REGISTRATION DETAILS: Registration is FREE

Registration provides you access to the live webinars to ask your questions or to access the replay at your convenience. www.unmaze.me/webinars

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September 10th Testing: How 2 Prepare 4 ACT, SAT & PERT October 15th College Applications: What U Need 2 Know November 12th FAFSA: Accessing Free College Money December 10th Scholarships: Tips & Tricks on Local, State & National January 14th Mental Health: Living Your Best Life February 11th Career Pathways: Finding Your Career March 10th Academic Planning: Determine Your High School Options April 14th Award Letters & Budgeting: How 2 Fund Your College Experience

#RUReady September Video- by Jack Geissinger, FSW Collegiate High School-Lee Campus

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UNMAZED MAGAZINE: ARTICLE

Beyond the Classroom: The Benefits of Global Awareness for Teens Identifying Reliable Sources

This is the first in a series of articles exploring how global awareness can assist students in developing important academic skills and habits.

Christopher Tucker is a social studies teacher at Florida Southwestern Collegiate High School-Lee. A native New Englander, he holds graduate degrees from Dartmouth College and Clark University. He is also an adjunct professor of history at Cumberland University (Tennessee) and is the founder of Bounded by Earth: A Global Issues Blog. Â Â

CHRIS TUCKER, EDUCATOR

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The beginning of the school year is a time of transition for

should use Google or a preferred search engine to research

teachers, parents, and of course, students. Whether a teen

the organization, company, etc. listed as the publisher. An

is in high school or looking ahead to college, it can be

internet search will provide the student with necessary

overwhelming

information about the organization and will help them

to

develop

a

routine

that

embraces

important skills such as time management, consistent study

uncover any prejudices.

habits, and effective classroom engagement. Part of the struggle is the steady torrent of distractions today’s teens

The student should also read the article closely more than

face, such as social media, streaming, and gaming, among

once. They should be able to identify the thesis (argument)

others. Often, the big picture—that is, how important

of the article, and more importantly, identify what credible

academic skills benefit the student beyond high school—is

evidence the author provides. If there’s little concrete

missed. Therefore, it is difficult for teens to consider the

evidence, or the author does not cite any outside sources, it

world beyond their own backyard. Yet today’s typical high

most likely is a problematic source. Does the article

school student can access the entire world with speed and

represent the author’s opinion? If so, it is not an appropriate

ease not experienced by previous generations. As a social

source

studies teacher, I constantly stress to my students the

assignments. Occasionally, it will be useful to use an opinion

importance of developing a global perspective—that is,

piece for a written assignment (such as a persuasive piece).

making an active effort to learn about, understand, and

Even then, students should be looking for opinions on both

engage with the international community.

sides of the argument.

Teens today are inundated with information, and much of it

Other important things to look for include the date (beware

is found on social media. In the era of “fake news,” it’s

of older and/or “undated” news stories!); embellished or

essential for teens to examine sources with skepticism and

“dramatic” headlines; and name recognition. If a source

analyze documents with a critical eye. Reading a variety of

comes from an outlet the student is familiar with (New York

sources, evaluating conflicting reports, and analyzing global

Times; National Public Radio; etc.), it’s usually more

issues from a variety of perspectives allows teens to

reputable than someone’s personal blog. Even if the

identify dishonest and biased sources. By critically reading

publication is familiar, I still suggest that students choose

both primary and secondary sources from all around the

multiple sources about the same topic. Academic databases

world, they can hone the skills needed to navigate the

such as Credo Reference and others—many of which are

endless tide of media encountered on their own screens..

available to students via their school library, or a local public

Checking it with your student is important so you have

library—can complement mainstream media articles.

for

a

research

project

or

most

academic

immediate feedback. I suggest every Thursday, so if there is an issue they can ask the teacher on Friday and work on it

I also recommend being as narrow as possible when

over the weekend.How often to do it: Once a week,

conducting research. A student who completes a Google

particularly before the end of the quarters/ semesters.

search for “world hunger” will be inundated with both biased and unbiased sources, many of them useless. But a

75% of students can’t differentiate between real and “fake”

search for “food insecurity in West Africa” will eliminate

news, according to the International Society for Technology

possibly hundreds of unwanted sources. And of course, a

in Education. So, the question remains—how can a student

key component of raising global awareness is to find

trust their sources, especially in the age of the internet,

diverse perspectives on the issues by reading sources from

when so much of what they encounter has not been

all over the world, not just the United States or Europe. I

properly vetted? The ISTE makes several suggestions. First,

always encourage teens to read sources written and

any source a student uncovers and plans to use in

published by media outlets from all continents, not just the

an assignment should have an author or authors listed. The

ones they’re most familiar with. Students will be surprised

ISTE suggest students look for other writing by the same

at how much more engaging their project becomes when

author. I also believe, author or no author, the student

global perspectives are included.

Today's News

REAL or FAKE? REAL

Comes from a respected news outlet.

If you're not sure, verify the story on:Â Snopes.com, FactCheck.org

FAKE

Comes from an unfamiliar website.

Check the home and about pages. Look for signs of; satire (for entertainment only) and bias (has a political agenda)

URL matches the news source.

Sites ending in .gov or .edu are the most trustworthy.

URL is strange or doesn't match the news outlet. Avoid sites ending in lo or .co. Carefully scrutinize sites ending in .com.

Headline matches the rest of the article.

Always read beyond the headline.

Headline is outrageous or doesn't match article. Be skeptical of over-thetop or emotional headlines.

Has a current date.

See if other news outlets have picked up the story.

Has a byline naming the person who wrote the article.

Google the author to learn more.

May have an old date or there's no other coverage.

Outdated news stories can be misleading.

Doesn't list an author, so you can't investigate them.

Credible news sources provide contact information.

AS YOUR SCHOOL COUNSELOR I BELIEVE...

YOU CAN BE SUCCESSFUL YOU ARE CAPABLE OR GREAT THINGS

YOU ARE WORTHY OF RESPECT

YOU SHOULD BE LISTENED TO YOUR WORDS MATTER

YOU WILL GET THROUGH THIS STRONGER

WE ARE IN THIS TOGETHER Printable by College UnMazed, www.unmaze.me

5 Tips

To Keep Your Chin Up

Do something creative.

Do something creative that energizes you, such as play music, draw, journal, or garden as that will inspire you in other areas of your life.

Have rituals.

We are less who we are than what we do.

Do 3 things that you love every day. As a result, feeling the gratitude will help you better sleep. Better sleep helps to be in a better mood. A better mood helps to make better decisions.

Exercise at least 10 minutes a day.

Exercising has an influence on your brain, on your mood, on your ability to reflect and on your health.

Take breaks. Learn something new.

Learning helps to create new connections in your brain and to come up with new ideas and new opportunities.

Prevent burnouts by stopping what you are doing and do something else. Create a different atmosphere, add some novelties in your daily routine.

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UNMAZED MAGAZINE: ARTICLE

Ways to organize time your time

Assess

Evaluate

Implement

SUCCESS

STEPHEN KECK, EDUCATOR

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For high school students, the ability to manage time

visualization. They can do this for a week or two to collect

effectively can be the difference between having a stressful

enough

school year and a well-balanced productive school year.

improvement. Once this is complete, they can find the areas

Learning to organize and prioritize time effectively in high

they want to change. For instance, perhaps a student fins

school will also prepare students what to expect in college

they are spending much more time on entertainment and

and employment. The goal of better time management is to

not enough studying. They can rearrange their schedule

take pressure off the student and help them find a routine

accordingly. They can keep a schedule through the same

that works best for them individually to achieve their

application, they can use a daily calendar on Microsoft

academic, personal/social, or career goals.

Outlook, or a hand-written daily planner can be helpful as

data

to

look

for

patterns

and

areas

for

well. Now the student can implement the change in how There are three main steps to organizing time effectively.

their time is spent. They can do this for a few weeks to see

if they have made any improvements in the areas important

1. Assess

to them.

2. Implement 3. Evaluate

After implementing their plan for a time, the students can then evaluate their progress. They could find their stress

The first thing a student can do to understand how to

level is much lower, their grades are better, they are turning

manage their time is to collect raw data on how they are

in homework on time, they are not as tired or exhausted in

currently spending their time. This is assessing where their

school, or their attendance could be better. Whatever the

needs and problem areas are so they can address them.

case, once evaluated they can start the steps over again.

There are a few options that students can do for this step.

This is perfect for high school students because even if their

For example, if the student has a smart phone, there is a

plan does not get the results they wanted, they can

useful app called ATracker

revaluate, reassess, and try another schedule.

(http://www.wonderapps.se/ATracker/home.html). In this app, the student can create the task they are doing for the

The most important takeaway about time management is

day such as: studying, entertainment, chores…etc Once they

that it is a useful skill which will help high school students

have their set categories, they simply press the task button

throughout the rest of their lives. It is not a skill that is

and it begins recording their time spent doing that. When

limited to only school. They will be able to find gaps in their

the day is complete, there will be a pie chart under the

day where they can fill it with much needed things like self-

report tab that visualizes what they have been doing with

care, socializing, or a need to find additional study time. It is

their time. It is a free application to download. If a student

a skill that will lead them on a path to learning about

does not have internet or a smartphone, they can write the

accountability, responsibility, and eventually becoming an

information down on paper and chart it if necessary, for

adult.

Stephen Keck is a graduate student in School Counseling at Florida Gulf Coast University in my final year. He obtained his Bachelor's degree in Film at The Ohio State University. His goal is to advocate and help students achieve their goals.

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UNMAZED MAGAZINE: ARTICLE

How To Create academic Independence & stay connected There is a tricky balance of creating academic independence in your child but trying to remain connected with their academic progress.

I have worked with many families that firmly believed they were giving their child "independence" and "responsibility", but in reality it means parents disengage from the academic process. While some students are well adept at the skills needed to be academically successful, such as time management, study skills, and problem solving, most teens are just learning these skills and have yet to master them.

In high school, new grading systems and amount of work can quickly

become

overwhelming

for

many

students.

Unfortunately, by the time parents realize there is a serious issue, grades become almost unrecoverable and the student is left feeling defeated and unmotivated.

So whether your student is in middle school to their senior (even college!) year, there are simple yet highly effective ways to instill academic independence but stay connected.

By Dr. Amanda Sterk, Author of College UnMazed: Your Guide to the Florida College & University System

1) Utilize the online grading system. High schools and even some college courses use grading programs such as Focus, Infinite Campus, Rediker, and Canvas, etc. Be sure to sign on regularly-set a weekly calendar reminder on your phone if necessary- to stay connected.

Checking it with your student is important so you have immediate feedback. I suggest every Thursday, so if there is an issue they can ask the teacher on Friday and work on it

AMANDA STERK, EdD, EDUCATOR How often to do it: Once a week, particularly before the

5) PLANNER, PLANNER, PLANNER- Yes, I know it is the

end of the quarters/ semesters.

21st century, but studies have shown people who write things down remember over 50% more information. I

2) Access their LMS- Besides grades, teachers often

have yet to find one teacher who does NOT write down

utilize a learning management system (LMS) where they

the assignments on the board. It will save invaluable

can put up videos, notes, quizzes, tests, presentations,

time rather than looking on the LMS, texting friends, or

and so forth. I am amazed at how many parents do not

looking through notes, to figure out what is due- simply

view this part of the classroom, as it is often vital for

have them write it down in one place.

student success. I had a parent come in furious about a

How often to do it: Once a week, same day as checking

student's test grade for them to realize that there was a

grades.

practice test they could take unlimited times. The student never accessed it, thus why they failed. While it is hard to

6) Check in with the teacher and counselor- There are

manage 7 classes, having an understanding at the

only two possible reasons for any issue, 1) Student

beginning of school what to expect from the teacher's

related or 2) Teacher related. If you feel that the same

LMS can allow you to help if there is an issue.

problem keeps coming up and the student seems to not

How often to do it: As needed- but sit down at

be resolving it on their own, you need to find out which

beginning of the school year and go through it with

reason it comes from. Email the teacher, and follow this

your student.

style, "Dear Mr/ Ms. XYZ, I have been trying to help Student Name be more successful in your class. If you

3) Know how the teacher/ professor grade- Many

could help me understand in which ways I can do that or

teachers have it labeled in a syllabus how they grade

why Student Name is struggling, I would be very

their class, and it's clearly labeled in the online grading

appreciative." This simple, yet highly effective, email

systems. Knowing if that test they are worried about is

allows the teacher to feel like your are helping (not

10% or 40% of their grades makes a big difference in

yelling or being acquisitory), open ended so they can

how a student should study. I find students often focus on

explain what they see, and shows you are cognizant of

the lower percentage assignments because they tend to

their time and appreciate a response. Do not be the

be more fun- like drawing maps, creating brochures, or

parent who waits until the last day of the quarter,

developing a project. Hours can be spent on something

semester or year (yes, I have had YEAR!) to check in and

that has little point value or impact in lieu of studying for

problem solve. Don't leave it on the teacher/ school to

that big test.

connect with you.

How often to do it: Beginning of the school year, and

How often to do it: As needed

refresh each semester (possible new teachers) In the end, remember that just because they are in a 4) Ask for a rubric- I often have parents come in because

new grade, they still need help in figuring things out.

they are irate that a project a student spent hours on

Being available to listen and help problem solve is key to

received a low score. What these parents failed to do

success. The earlier issues can be resolved, the better for

was ask their student for the teacher's rubric, a document

everyone. While we often start out strong in the

that clearly defines how the teacher is grading for that

beginning, save this link to read at least do an academic

particular project. Utilize that rubric as if you are the

check once a month!

teachers grading them. What can sometimes be "give-

me" points (putting name on it, citing sources, title

Have a great beginning year!

page, etc) can be very costly if not done.How often to do it: As needed, primarily for big projects and written work.

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UNMAZED MAGAZINE: FEATURED

THE "ACADEMIC" FACTOR College-level

Academic Core

Grades Electives ACT

Test Scores SAT

Strength of curriculum Student passion

COLLEGE UNMAZED PAGES

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THE "YOU" FACTOR Major-Specific Social & Activities Academic Clubs Focus on career goals Specific content focus

Actively involved Longevity

Character

Athletics

Collaboration Communication Teamwork

Commitment (time and personal) Active Grit

Community Involvement Focused volunteering High community impact

Leadership Skill-building Responsibility Initiative

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UNMAZED MAGAZINE: FEATURED

SELF-DISCOVERY The Art of Defining Yourself

The article is taking directly from 7 Principles to Achieve Education (Juniace Etienne & Paulina Soto). Students failing their classes are not the most catastrophic event that can impact their academic journey. Rather, it is more disastrous when they go to school without understanding the purpose for their education. The outcomes of these cases are constantly reported on the news about high school dropout rates, and/or college students changing major more than once. Such academic disarray results in low self-esteem, an accumulation of debts, and depression. Or worse, many students cross the stage with a diploma even more confused about the next stage for their lives.

You can avoid this educational catastrophe that many

self-discipline. It is easier to maneuver daily routines

are facing due to a lack of self-discovery. It is a road

that do not require thinking to be present, although the

that you can choose to avoid once you discover the

thought of not thinking is an action of thinking. It may

purpose for your education and allow this purpose to

not be productive thinking, nonetheless it is thinking.

be protected and guided with good resources. Self-

There are some guidelines to follow during the self-

discovery is not an easy task to accomplish. It requires

discovering stage. The first step is to answer the twelve

a sound thinking process, which is one of the

questions that follow, We also encourage you to write

most complex things to accomplish, yet necessary to

a reflection about what you discover about yourself.

develop self-growth. Thinking is a difficult function

This is your opportunity to have a self-talk. You can

because it requires self-responsibility, self-control, and

begin the process with the following two questions:

Dr. JUNIACE ETIENNE, EDUCATOR & AUTHOR

1. How can you make your academic journey successful?

You can make your academic journey a success by identifying the essential reason you want to start that journey. “What is that essential reason?” you may be wondering. The essential reason is to identify and define the PURPOSE of your academic journey. Once you determine that purpose, you should stick to it. In other words you have to define: Why am I choosing this way or this other way? Why am I studying this?

And am I going on and on until I get to know the final purpose that moves my decisions and actions?

2. How can you identify the PURPOSE of your academic journey?

Perhaps you have never thought about identifying the purpose of your academic journey. Guess what? You are not alone. It is very common.

The first step to determining your academic purpose is to answer these eleven self-discovering inquiries:

What is My Deepest Desire? Not what I have a general or passing “interest” in, but rather a deep yearning or aspiration to do.

What Am I Truly Passionate About? What do I really care about? What gifts and abilities do I especially enjoy using?

What Makes Me Angry? Not destructive anger which is selfishly motivated, but constructive anger that is based on compassion for others and a desire for people to be treated right; anger that is grieved by injustices and that leads to positive action to remedy problems.

What Ideas Are Persistent In My Heart, Mind, and Thoughts? What recurring dreams do I have for my life? What idea(s) never leaves me?

What Do I Constantly Imagine Myself Doing? What do I dream about becoming? What gifts or skills would I use and develop in order to become this?

What Do I Want to Do for Humanity? What kind of impact would I like to have on my community? What do I want to pass along to the next generation? What would I like to be remembered for?

What Brings Me the Greatest Fulfillment? What three endeavors or achievements have given me the greatest satisfaction and fulfillment in life so far, and why? What motivates and gratifies me the most, and how can I incorporate it into my life as my vocation or life focus?

What Could I Do Forever Even If There Were No Monetary Compensation? From what activities am I currently receiving satisfaction that I’m not being paid for? What am I so dedicated to that I would continue to do it even if I stopped receiving money for it? What would I do for no compensation?

What Would I Rather Be Doing? What do I wish I were doing when I am doing other things? What makes me feel most at home when I am doing it?

What Would I Do If I Knew I Could Not Fail? What endeavor, enterprise, creative work, project, or plan would I engage in if it were risk-free? If money were no object? If I didn’t worry that I had the wrong background,

the

wrong

looks,

the

wrong

job

experiences, or the wrong anything else?

What is the Most Important Thing I could Do With My Life? Above all other things, what is the most significant thing I could do with my life? What do I want to occur in my life? How do I want to live my life based on my values and beliefs?

Continued on next page...

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26 UNMAZED MAGAZINE: FEATURED

continued The answers to these questions are the beginning

each principle for that purpose. You can write how well

blueprint of your life plan and your educational plan. It

you imagine your education will be for the next four

is also a powerful resourceful for you, because when

years or more. You can create the ideal educational

you have to make decisions about what classes to take,

setting since you have now discovered the purpose.

you can easily refer to your educational purpose.

Make sure that it is coherent with your life plan. You

can imagine yourself graduating with honors and being

Additionally, when you meet with your guidance

part of the top ten percent of your graduate class or

counselors, you now have a conversational guideline, a

being part of a research team if that is your academic

tool to support your decisions.

desire.

It is also, important that in this process of self-

The next step is to understand your learning style. The

discovering you could identified what you think about

ways that you learn and process information are key

yourself as well, for example, do you feel capable to

components

accomplish the things that you propose for yourself, or

understand that, then the process of learning will be so

do you think you have confidence in your abilities,

much fun because you will be able to create resources

because what you believe about yourself, will impact

that can facilitate your learning abilities. Such as, flash

your decisions and your actions. A person can be very

cards if you are a visual learner, and audio devices if

clear about his or her purpose, but if he or she does not

you happened to be an auditory learner.

believe in their abilities, they may never undertake any

action to achieve it. This process of moving forward

The reality is we are all capable and have the ability to

with your educational success requires that you believe

learn but we must understand how.

that you have the potential to produce experiences that

will allow you to fully develop yourself.

How can this take place? It can take place through this

simple equation: the understanding of your intelligence,

At this point you can begin the writing process of your

plus your learning styles with relative instruction will

reflection. There are blank pages provided at the end of

give a self-discovery of how you acquire knowledge.

to

your

educational

plan.

If

you

by: Dr. Juniace Senecharles Etienne, author of multiple educational books and lifelong educator Dr. Etienne's latest book is a bilingual tale called "My Auntie is Awesome".

Veron is turning 5 years old on Saturday and his auntie has decided to throw him a birthday party. Join Veron and his three best friends, Lea, Esaul, and Olivia, for a party that is filled with fun, friendship, and even a little learning!

This book is part of the I Love collection, a multicultural early literacy series that explores topics of friendship, identity, and familial love through the perspectives of four kindergarteners whose diverse backgrounds and family circumstances provide the foundation upon which their friendships grow.

WHERE CAN YOU BUY: My Auntie is Awesome http://juniaceshapingyoungmindszon https://www.amazon.com/dp/0997603291/ref=cm_sw_r_wa_awd b_t1_pzEnDbEBCNAPN

INFOGRAPHIC

TYPES OF LEARNERS

VISUAL

KINESTHETIC learn what they do

learn what they hear

STRESS

EASE

SCRIBBLE

learn what they see

AUDITORY

learn what stresses them

learn what relaxes them

learn what they write out

TRUST

TEACH

COPY

learn from authority

learn from teaching

learn what they can copy

http://notes.fundersandfounders.com/post/55187809751/types-of-learners

27

28 UNMAZED MAGAZINE: COLLEGE FEATURED

FLORIDA ATLANTIC UNIVERSITY A large, 4-year, public university. This coed college is located in a small city in a suburban setting and is primarily a commuter campus. It offers certificate, associate, bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees.

24,569 total undergrads 3,152 degree-seeking freshmen

Bachelor Degrees 20% Business/ Marketing 9% Interdisciplinary Studies 8% Health Professions 8% Psychology 7% Biology 7%Social Sciences 6% Communications/ Journalism 6% Security & Protective Services

$14,042 average financial aid packaged 82% retention rate 52% graduate within 6 years

FAU & FSW, BOCA RATON, FL.

29

FLORIDA SOUTHWESTERN STATE COLLEGE A large, 2-year, public liberal arts college. This coed college is located in a small city in an urban setting and is primarily a commuter campus. It offers certificate, associate and bachelor's degrees.

16,576 total undergrads 2,895 degree-seeking freshmen 3 Campuses (Punta Gorda, Naples, Fort Myers) and 1 Center (Labelle)

Bachelor Degrees 36% Business/ Marketing 29% Health Professions 27% Education 8% Security & Protective Services

Associate Degrees 80% Liberal Arts 15% Health Professions

Sports

70% of students GRADUATE DEBT FREE

Men's Baseball Women's Softball Men & Women's Basketball Women's Volleyball

Image credit: https://fsw.prestosports.com/general/201819/releases/20190717icubwh