A Student in Transition, Making Sense of it All
It’s about time! The CollegeBoard, perhaps partly in response to my blog post complaining about the problem (RSS, SAT, OMG!), finally added RSS to the SAT Question of the Day!
Enjoy, folks. If you have any questions about taking advantage of this service to the fullest extent, read this post or get in touch. I’ll be happy to help you out.
Many of my younger friends have been asking me what I did to prepare for my SATs. Watching their eagerness, anger, and elation really brought back the non-too-distant memories of what it was like to grapple with the test. This post is my response to their anxiety.
Besides a review book, I never paid any person or service for help in preparing for the SAT. I’m frugal as it is, and paying for help when it comes to something like this felt dirty to me. However, looking back at my own experience, I fully recommend a paid service. The SAT is just too important not to fully prepare for. If my scores were higher, which I believe an intense paid service may have done, I may have gotten into my reach school. You never know.
In my case, I had a very passive study path for the test. One of the few things I did in preparing for my first spar with the exam was to familiarize myself with its setup; that’s where the review book from the Princeton Review came in handy. I learned about the types of questions and became familiar with the caliber of reading, writing, and mathematics questions given.
The most important component of anything I did for the SAT, though, was to use the CollegeBoard’s SAT Question of the Day service, every single day. Hands down, it’s the best way to prepare. Just do it.
One of more distinctive things I did in preparing for the test was carry around my Hipster PDA. The Hipster PDA is a stack of index cards held together with a binder clip, as invented by Merlin Mann, one of my heroes.
On one side, I kept my next actions list, which is similar to a to-do list. On the other side, I wrote down words I saw or heard in real life that I didn’t know. When I got home that day, I looked the word up and wrote its definition down on another card. On my bus rides and other commutes, I’d review all of the words I’d accumulated.
After following these steps, here were my scores:
Critical Reading: 680
Mathematics: 680
Writing: 730
Total (of 1600): 1360
Total (2400): 2090
At that point, I wanted to bring the two important sections’ scores up: critical reading and mathematics. For me, I was disappointed in my math score. I knew I could have done better, but I reasoned that the length of the test got to me. Critical reading was an uphill battle; it was the section I was weakest at, the one where I’ve always had the most problems.
Over the summer and into the early portion of my senior year, I did a few things. First, I watched the video podcasts from ePrep; they were useful for strategizing and were entertaining, too. I also started listening to This American Life, an entertaining and enlightening public radio program from Chicago Public Radio. Just like reading, something I definitely should have done more of, listening to public radio expands the mind. I read my usual summer amount, which admittedly isn’t much. However, I started listening to audiobooks, which fit much better into my lifestyle. Of course, I continued to take my SAT Question of the Day and write down words I didn’t know on my Hipster PDA.
What’s the takeaway here? I didn’t prepare for my second SAT. I just lived an intellectually healthy lifestyle by taking in useful information through podcasts, blogs, and audiobooks. The biggest component of that was not watching television; I recommend eliminating the stupidity box from your life. Although there is good, compelling content on TV, most of it is pure filth.
And for my elitism, what did I get? I brought up my scores quite a bit.
Critical Reading: 760
Mathematics: 750
Writing: 740
Total (of 1600): 1510
Total (2400): 2250
If I had to prepare for the test yet again, I’d spend almost all of my free time at FreeRice, the altruistic and mind-enriching vocabulary game.
Happy studying!
I graduated today. Aside from a single, somewhat large error in delivering my speech, that ordeal went very well. Most everyone really enjoyed it, both family and friends.
My grandparents flew up from Florida, and other members of my extended family stopped by today. It’s been really great to see them.
Until next time, I’ll be cleaning up the pieces of my new life and attending graduation parties. Apologies for the extended length of time between posts, but you can see from reading my speech that I’ve been busy.
Below are my prepared remarks for my Valedictory Address to the Class of 2008 of Dover High School.
Good morning Superintendant Onofry, Assistant Superintendant Tierney, Board President Shufelt, members of the Board of Education, Principal Basting, Assistant Principals Rizzo, Timm, Bauerlein; faculty, family, friends, and the Class of 2008.
On this day of celebration, I’m honored to have the opportunity to speak to you all. Although they apply to everyone under this tent, I direct my thoughts toward two groups of people: those individuals who helped me get where I am today, and my class, the Class of 2008.
…
It’s said that we stand on the shoulders of giants. This is so true, and I appreciate all of the giants in my life, whose love, trust, and guidance have helped me get where I stand today.
I begin with my teachers; it is their instruction that has guided me intellectually throughout my entire life. Although I appreciate the guidance of each and every one of them, I must signal out two key educators, without whom I wouldn’t be who I am today.
The first of these is Mr. Watson, whose remarkable work ethic, genuine personality, and love for life has motivated me to strive for new heights again and again. Whether he’s valiantly saving lives, breaking up fights, or calling people the most ridiculous names ever, he’s someone we should model ourselves after.
The second is Mr. Wright, who has been a moral guidepost for me since my first day in Dover some six years ago. Mr. Wright has taught me to live and die by the golden rule, to always look out for the welfare of others, and to never stop questioning, ever. Along the way, he’s certainly been a character. I’m sure none of us will ever forget his reenactment of the caning of Senator Charles Sumner in 7th grade, especially the students who served as the victim.
I move onto my friends - the people I enjoy spending time with, the people who keep me sane in an increasing insane world, and the people who remind me of my humility when necessary, which seems to be often. Although I can’t possibly mention all of you right now, I’m confident you know who you are.
Very often, the greatest giants in our lives are those in our families. Every student who eagerly awaits his or her diploma is a testament to the guidance of the people closest to them. As I recognize my family, I’m certain each graduate appreciates the kindness of his or her own.
I start with my grandparents and aunt, whose love and concern have always been a pillar in my life. I’m so glad they’re able to see me today.
I’m grateful for my parents, whose absolute trust has been the greatest gift ever given to me. Not once in my life did they doubt my judgment or tell me I wasn’t good enough to do something.
Dad, your mantra and hope for me to, “Work smart and not hard,” is something I’ve come to internalize. And Mom, your strength and faith to overcome crippling back pain every day of your life to take care of Christy and me makes you the strongest person I know.
Finally, I recognize Christy Mondello, my sister and best friend. Christy, you’ve shared virtually every experience with me, both good and bad. It’s your kindness and patience that always keeps me going, especially in the face of daunting circumstances. I love you and am so fortunate to have you in my life.
…
The primary group of people I address today are the graduates I’m proud to be walking with, my class, the Class of 2008. To you all, I offer three pieces of advice - that’s it, three.
…
We will all soon be moving onto something bigger than this, bigger than high school. Whether you’re entering the workforce, joining the military, or going off to school again, I urge you to leave this phase of your life on good terms. We all have our Mr. Wrights, Mr. Watsons, or best friends – the people who we got along well with. We should seek these people out and let them know just how much we’ve always appreciated them.
But, throughout my time here, I can recall people who I simply didn’t treat fairly. I suspect that many of us have someone like this, someone who we didn’t give a fair chance. This person might be a member of your family, perhaps another student, or maybe a teacher or coach.
Think about it - think hard. After this ceremony, take a moment to find the person who you aren’t “okay” with, and try to set things right. Always remember that forgiveness is healthier than resentment and that friendship is infinitely more useful than a grudge.
…
A moment ago, I spoke of the giants in my life. We’ve all had our own giants, the people who help us to achieve our dreams. Class of 2008, my second piece of advice is to be a giant in someone else’s life.
Although this may sound daunting, it doesn’t mean dramatically changing our lifestyles. For instance, by staying positive, acting as a role, and volunteering our time and skills to help someone in need, we begin a cycle of compassion that ultimately benefits everyone.
Almost everyone in my class could tell you that I’m an avid follower of politics. On the topic of giants, I’d be remiss if I didn’t quote my favorite Senator, whose eloquent thoughts resonate with my advice. The Senator says,
I ask you to take this harder path - not because you have an obligation to those who are less fortunate, although you do have that obligation. Not because you have a debt to all of those who helped you get to where you are, although you do have that debt.
I ask you to take it because you have an obligation to yourself. Because our individual salvation depends on our collective salvation. And because it’s only when you hitch your wagon to something larger than yourself that you will realize your true potential.
Thank you, Senator Obama.
…
As we move on, we must recognize that the relative prosperity of our generation’s childhood is gone. The soaring gas prices and global decline of respect for our nation are indicative of a deep problem that’s plaguing it: a lack of leadership. Now, it’s our turn to guide the United States of America - to restore it as the world’s leader - financially, technologically, and ethically. The problems in our path include poverty, war, and a climate in crisis. But despite the enormity of these issues, by looking at our track record, I’m certain that we can overcome them.
Together, as a class, we endured many crises and always found a way to emerge stronger than before. We’ve taken strenuous exams, played hard in difficult matches, and performed in breathtaking plays and concerts. We’ve built relationships, taken trips abroad, and harvested wisdom wherever it’s found. At Pep Rally this year, where the seniors swept in every award category, I had a pleasure as Master of Ceremonies to yell, “This is madness!” – to which you all screamed back, “This is Sparta!” And most recently, we coordinated the most awesome senior trip and senior prank in the history of this school, period.
If that’s what we could do in the course of these last few years of high school, imagine what we’ll be able to do when we choose our own paths. When we let our passions guide us, there’s nothing we can’t do. Fellow classmates, find what you love doing in life and stick with it. That is my third and final piece of advice for you today, because it is by working with this talent, calling, or skill that you’ll find true happiness and change the world.
…
No matter where life takes you, go forward and make this community and the giants in your life proud. And along your way, never let anyone tell you that you’re not good enough. We’re more than ready, each and every one of us, to make our dreams come true.
Again, thank you everyone under this tent for coming out on this wonderful day. Thank you Class of 2008, and thank you Dover. I love you.
I graduate high school tomorrow, Saturday. Whoa!
Here’s the scoop. I’m proud and honored to say that I’m my class’ valedictorian; fittingly, I’ll be giving a valedictory address. If you’re local, you already know the details for the ceremony. If you’re not, I’ll have a text version of my speech posted sometime tomorrow.
I’m very glad to say that my grandparents are staying with my family this week. I haven’t seen them in about a year, so I’ll be spending a lot of my time with them, in addition to enjoying every last moment with my friends. My June Resolution is to enjoy my final days of high school, and that’s exactly what I’m doing.
I have a very exciting summer coming up, so I’ll keep you all posted! Ciao!
I thought I could ignore it when it happened the first time. I did, but it happened again. I gave myself some time to develop an emotional detachment from it and now I’m ready to post my thoughts.
What happened? I got another interesting blog comment. This comment came on the post Senior Business from “jen”:
Ricky I love your blog about all the problems at our school. But not enough students have ever read your blog or even know about it. Why don’t you print out some copies and bring it in to school to give out to our class? My friends say you got scared because the principals warned you to stop blogging about the school and keep your big mouth shut or else. Is that true? You have been a great president but now its looking like you sold out and aren’t going to continue to talk about our school’s problems. They are cutting all the middle school classes like music, art, computer to give the kids like my little sister more English classes. What can’t kids read and write suddenly? Why don’t they see why the English teachers aren’t doing their jobs instead of cutting all the classes kids like and need? You are our president, will you voice this opinion or are you now a scareddy-kat like my friends say. This is your last week of high school to speak up, are ya gonna be a man or a mouse? Anyone who read your blog agrees with you but not enough people have read your blog. We need a president who gets the message out and doesn’t coward when pressured to stop talking…Are you going to mention any of your opinions in your graduatioon speech or did you sell out? Are you going to speak up in school next week or sell out??
This comment was interesting in its proximity to “Katie’s” comment, which I dedicated an entire post to.
Those comments didn’t come from students. The IP addresses reveal that they came from my geographical area, but the email addresses appear to be fake on both commenters. The language that both comments use isn’t typical of a contemporary high school student and the idioms used are straight out of the last several decades.
I can’t tell you what this means, but I’ll make a hypothesis. I’m guessing that I have two comments that were written straight from the heart, but from the heart of teachers at Dover High School. This signifies that teachers, as well as students, are concerned about the direction that Dover High School is moving.
Unfortunately, this isn’t the place for those thoughts. I’m graduating from this high school in approximately one week and I can no longer do anything about these issues. I went to the Board of Education and presented my observations and opinions about the problems around the district, and that’s all I can do. Addressing whoever wrote those comments - I wish you the best of luck in enduring the oncoming storm at Dover High School, for I fear problems will only intensify.
Realize, however, that impersonating a student in hopes of tricking me into thinking I have popular support benefits no one. It’s also a sign of complete disrespect towards me. I’m honest and open with you all, so please be honest and open with me. If you’d like to submit an anonymous comment, feel free to do so, just don’t pretend to be something you’re not. If you’d like to be less-than-anonymous, I’ll take your thoughts in confidence either in person or at my email address.
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