Let’s start with Question 1:

• Year in High School, going into what year (in August/September)

This question is a no-brainer. Please write down the year you or your child is in high school, and the year he or she will enter when the new school year starts, this is usually August or September in the US. All my international subscribers, it may be another start date for you. But, you know what I’m getting at. I would complete this question by writing my daughter is a Junior going into her Senior year. Wow, that’s the home stretch with completing applications in the Fall of this year. It’s a big year for her and the family, requiring lots of planning and preparing ahead of time. No worries, we’re all in it together. 

Another reason I suggest goal setting in January and again when the new school starts, is because it gives the student and his/her parents, a time to rethink and revisit goals, removing some, add new ones, and of course, celebrate the ones you have completed. More importantly, it also prevents you from writing your goals for the year and then, forgetting about them as the year goes on, and finally reaching a point where you wonder if you even wrote goals. Do you follow me? Does this happen to you? 

Moving along to Question 2.

• My Goal is to put in 100% of yourself in your:
  •  Academics
  • Extracurricular activity
  • Extracurricular activity
  • Extracurricular activity
  • Sport(s)
  • Arts
  • Music
  • Other

So this question requires you to delve deep, and think about what academic classes you are taking at school, or even outside of school. Write down how you may improve specifically in a particular course. The example I have listed is how you might want to consider writing your goals. My example is: My goal is to put 100% in studying for math tests in Calculus AB, ahead of time and striving for an A in the class. Remember, the more specific you are the better you will reach your goals. If you need to pause this podcast or the YouTube video, please do so. 

So, continue with your goals with your extracurricular activities. I provide you with three boxes to enter your goals for your specific activity. I know for many of you, this might not be enough. You can combine the extracurricular activities, or enter one in section h) of this question, specified as “Other”. Please continue to enter any sports that you play; or enter the arts, like painting or theater; or music, like the choir or the band, you may be involved in. Think about the goals you might have for each activity. Write it down, and make it happen! For instance, you might write your goal is to practice the piano 4 hours of week at home. Again, in order for you to best implement your goals, please be specific in naming the activities and the actions you will take to achieve your desired goal. Ok, this is really important, so I’m going to say it again. Be specific in naming the activities and the actions you will take to achieve your desired goal. Finally, if I’ve missed an amazing thing you do, write it down in section h) “Other”. I know you or your child does some pretty amazing stuff. I can’t tell you how many smart and talented young individuals I meet in my profession. I am literally blown away by their achievements and accomplishments at such an early age. So, a shout out to all my young listeners and viewers!

Ok, on to question 3. This one is a big one, so if you’re multitasking, please come back to me.

• My Testing Goals

This is really important, and may require several sittings, meaning you may have to have a discussion with your family and come back to this table to enter the date you are taking a particular standardized test.

Let’s look at the easy-to-use table that I’ve created for you. For your convenience, I’ve created a drop-down option for the SAT or ACT, which is the first two rows of the table. The next four rows are for you to choose a SAT Subject test. Again, I offer you a drop-down where you may select 1 of the 20 SAT Subject tests offered. I just wanted to give a disclaimer here, you are by no means required to take four SAT Subject tests. Many colleges like John Hopkins, Vanderbilt or the University of Virginia have made Subject tests optional. So, I highly recommend you to go to the college website to find out whether or not the SAT Subject tests are required and which ones? That’s your safest best as requirements are constantly changing. A quick tidbit, If you are applying to a STEM field, you are usually asked to take Math Level II and a science Subject test. That being said, I always recommend my students to take two SAT Subject tests, if it isn’t a financial burden for you. 

Ok, listen up, I have an admissions tip for you…. I strongly recommend all of my students to take the Math Level II Subject test as it is usually a requirement for most STEM and business majors. More importantly, the reason I recommend Math Level II is because this test has the biggest curve, meaning you can miss the most amount of questions and still get a perfect score of 800. For those of you, who aren’t a math person. I get you, don’t fret, there are plenty of humanities-related SAT Subject tests to study for. 

So, go ahead schedule in your SAT Subject Tests if the colleges you are applying to recommend or require them. I have another admissions tip for you when the college writes “recommended” for a standardized test, that technically signifies required. So, save yourself from having your application denied because you didn’t take the test they suggested you to take. Schedule the test on this table, plan your study and take it! 

Likewise, schedule in the dates of your AP or IB exams or other tests you may be taking for college admission. Here I give you the option of entering the specific test you are taking. For example, if you are taking AP Chemistry, type that in and enter the date the test is scheduled for. 

To make it easier for you, I created a 2020 Standardized Testing Dates and Deadlines worksheet with all testing dates of the SAT, ACT, SAT Subject tests and AP exams in one document. You may find the link to the 2020 Standardized Testing Dates and Deadlines IvyBound Sheet in the show notes of this episode at https://ivyboundconsulting.com/001. 

Cool right? Now, you don’t need to search up or google exam dates and their deadlines. Just download the 2020 Standardized Testing 2020 Dates and Deadlines IvyBound Sheet, and print it out. Keep it handy so you don’t miss a registration deadline. 

Moving right along, you’ll find this table gives you an option of “Other” as a field where you may enter multiple SAT Subject tests, APs, or IB exams you may be taking. I also included the “Other” field for International students who may have to take TOEFL, IELTS, or DET as requirements for their college application process. Again, I would advise International students, to refer to the college website to get the most up-to-date testing requirements. Go ahead and enter all tests you will be taking for 2020, and their scheduled test dates. 

If you notice, you can enter three possible dates to take the test in this table. You don’t need to take the tests three times. I just wanted to provide you the space in the chart, but more importantly, for you to think about scheduling test dates multiple times in the year. Just so you know, students on average take the tests three times to get their best results. Anything more, usually has a point of diminishing returns, meaning that not much improvement is made. When thinking about taking the SAT for the fourth time, it may be best to use your time more wisely, like focusing more on a class or extracurricular activity that needs your attention.

I feel the last column, something that is overlooked, is the most important by far, scheduling in your– study time. If you don’t schedule it in, where is the world are you going to find the hours to study? Don’t skip this one, you have to think through how much studying time you may need for a particular test. 

I’m giving you another admissions tip here, on average, it takes 8-12 weeks in between tests before you can see some improvement, that is if you take one test a week, plus studying after that. There are students, who cram in 8-12 tests in a month and then take the test the following month. Yes, that’s my daughter for you. I guess, to each their own. You know how you study best and how much time you may need. Schedule it in. Ok, you may need to alter the scheduled dates, which is completely fine. But, scheduling it sets the wheels in motion and makes it real! Or at least it makes you realize you need to make some free time to study for a standardized test you may be taking.

Ok, this last question was a doozy. Let’s move on to question 4.

• Challenges I am facing are, and the Solutions I can think of are…

Many times a student is struggling, like in his English class, and doesn’t know how to get help or the support he might need. Writing the challenges down makes it easier to find solutions. Trust me. Write it all down… Then, think of solutions, like the writing center at your school, asking a teacher for help, or even a family member. As and when challenges arise, I encourage you to write them down and think of all possible solutions. Believe me, when you do this, the answer will show up. And, if it doesn’t have a conversation with your parents, a teacher, or a friend. You may be surprised that they provide you with a solution that you didn’t think of. 

Question 5 is an extension of question 4.

• The People I can go to for Academic and Emotional Support are: 

Noting down all the possible people you may go for support is empowering, making you feel that you can successfully tackle all challenges that may come your way. So go ahead, and write down your supporters, you’d be amazed by how many people you come up with. Don’t forget to enter each section.

1. Your Parents – This applies to high school students. Write down your parents, step-parents, or guardians who can be your support system.

2. Teachers – Start with your current teacher of the class you are taking. Then note all the teachers or teachers in a particular department that can help you when you are in a jam.

3. Friends – Write down all the friends you can go to for academic and emotional support. It’s nice to have dependable friends.

4. Family – Here, jot down other family members, like an aunt or a cousin who you can ask for help. You’ll never know when Uncle ______ (fill in the name) may come in handy.

5. Other – This is someone I may have forgotten to mention, maybe an employer. Doing this exercise, not only helps you create a list of people you can ask for support but on a higher-level makes you feel that you are not alone in this journey. There are many people who would love to help you, when asked.

6. Last but not least, you can always contact me, Ruchi S. Kothari. I’m there to guide and support you through your college admissions journey. Reach out to me. DM me at @ivyboundconsulting on Instagram, or PM me at @ivyboundconsulting on Facebook. 

Are you ready to talk about some fun stuff? Yes? Question 6, a forgotten step, is my most favorite question because it talks about celebration…

• Milestones or Achievements I will be celebrating are 

I want you to write down a milestone or achievement you have, and/or will achieve this year. Doesn’t matter if it’s big, small or something in between. A milestone is a milestone, an achievement is an achievement. You gotta celebrate all wins– big or small, and everything in between. This is what keeps us going and wanting more. So, go ahead write down that you completed the 10-page science term paper, regardless of the grade you receive, it is an achievement. Also, note down your birthday, if you’re receiving your driver’s license, or if you will graduate high school this year. All things worth celebrating. Well, I don’t know how your parents might feel about you driving, but that’s a different conversation you and I can have. Cool? Let’s move on.

Question 7 is another often missed step, in the midst of tackling the challenges of high school.

• My Personal Goals are

Go ahead, write or type in some personal goals you might have. Maybe you want to read a certain number of books, go hiking, or compose music. Write down whatever you fancy, and take time out of your busy schedule to do at least one of these this year. Believe me, it’ll be so worth it to keep your mind, body and spirit sound. I know, I’m sounding spiritual here, but all three are needed for you to successfully navigate the college admissions journey and not burn out. Burn out is something I see all too often and I don’t want that for you. Or, for anyone.

Question 8 is similar to question 7, however, here, I want you to write all the things you can do now or is readily available when you need to relax and destress.

• Things I like to do to Relax Myself when I get stressed 

Write anything and everything you do to relax yourself, however simple or quirky it may be. Retort to your answers whenever you are feeling down, you’re anxious or stressed, or you just want some downtime to relax. What’s the first thing that comes to your mind? For me, reading a book next to the fireplace, or taking walks when the weather is warm are my ways to unwind. I live in New Jersey, so I don’t get many warm days. I like to take advantage of them whenever I can.

Finally, we have reached the last question. Believe me, it is the most fun of them all. Sit down with your family and plan some vacation or downtime. It doesn’t need to be a big one, a few days to destress and enjoy things that you love with the people you love is more than enough to get you energized to trudge along with your high school to college journey.

Remember, we’re in it for the long haul, so pace yourself by answering question 9.

• Plan out some Vacation or Down Time so that you can unwind, have fun and enjoy life.

Use this table to plan out a few days here or there for some vacation or downtime. I even suggest to some of my students if they are using spring break or the summer for college visits, add a day or two and make it a vacation. Don’t you think it’s clever? It definitely kills two birds with one stone.