5 Effective Study Tips for High Schoolers

Posted on May 17, 2016May 17, 2016 by Matt Hillesland

Developing good study habits is crucial to academic success. Not only does studying help students earn high marks on exams, but also it enables them to develop a more thorough understanding of a given subject. Here are some effective study tips to help students expand their knowledge and succeed academically.

Identify your learning style. Everyone learns differently. The learning style that works for you may not work for someone else. Generally speaking, there are four types of learners: visual, auditory, read-write, and kinesthetic. Understand which type of learner you are and cater your study approach to best suit your needs. Maybe you learn best with visuals. Or, perhaps writing down what you’re reading helps you retain information best.

Minimize distractions. Create a designated study space that’s free of noise and other distractions. If you’re studying at school, pick a secluded area in the library where you can really focus. At home, choose a quiet room that’s closed off from the rest of the house and away from the common living spaces. Your room may be a good place to study if you have a desk. Studying in bed can result in you laying down and falling asleep. No matter where you study, avoid any distractions that can disrupt your focus, such as your phone and TV.

Don’t procrastinate. When studying for an exam, many students make the mistake of procrastinating. Putting off your studies until the last minute and cramming the night before is not a good study practice. Cramming makes it difficult for your brain to retain all the information you are learning. Instead, study your coursework throughout the semester. In addition to your assignments, study your coursework a little every night. This will lessen your workload come exam time and ensure you’re really understanding and retaining the information.

Ask questions. Reach out to your teachers if you have questions about any of the material you’re reviewing. Teachers are available to answer any questions you may have. Reaching out for help will also show your teacher that you’re dedicated to the class and really want to learn.

Get a good night’s sleep. The night before a big test, make sure you get a full eight hours of sleep. While you may be tempted to stay up late studying, doing so will only hurt your chances of acing the test. Your brain needs to be well rested so you can remain focused and attentive at test time.

To improve your grades and expand your knowledge, utilize these five study tips. For more helpful resources, visit our online school in PA.

The Key Differences Between ONLINE HOMESCHOOL PROGRAMS AND TRADITIONAL HOMESCHOOLING

Posted on February 25, 2016December 13, 2022 by Matt Hillesland

Online Homeschool Programs

If you are a parent, then you are aware of the fact that your child needs to attend school to get an education. Traditionally, parents were left with three educational options: have their child attend classes in their local school district, pay private school tuition, or homeschool their children. While homeschooling regulations can drastically vary from state to state, these three options were essentially the only forms of getting a primary education. However, as time has progressed, another option emerged in the form of online cyber charter schools where parents could allow their child to learn virtually via the computer.

While there are numerous reasons as to why a parent would want to explore other educational options for their child, many are unaware of the clear differences between homeschooling and online homeschool programs. With that said, let’s take a look at the key differences between both of these educational options and the advantages one may have over the other.

Teachers & Faculty

While the concept of getting an education at home is relatively the same, the structure of education can be vastly differ between homeschooling and online homeschool programs. For instance, at 21^st Century Cyber Charter School (21CCCS), all the teachers are highly qualified, certified by the state of Pennsylvania, and hold college degrees. Plus, there are other certified faculty members from guidance counselors to staff administrators and more.

However, when it comes to homeschooling, parents may find themselves teaching subjects they are not very experienced or familiar with. On top of that, the parent acts as the administrator, guidance counselor, advisor, subject matter expert and any other educational role when necessary.

Curriculum

Public cyber charter schools implement a curriculum that is set and approved by the state, in which 21CCCS specifically bases their programs on the Pennsylvania Core Standards. Furthermore, online cyber charter schools can individualize the curriculum to suit the students’ learning style and varying academic level. In addition, they provide for a full range of courses that can encompass not only the core subjects, but delve into world languages, honors/AP level studies and much more.

When it comes to a curriculum for homeschooling, it’s left up to the parent to find and research an appropriate curriculum that adheres to state and national standards, then develop plans to teach that curriculum.

Attendance & Academic Policies

It is important to understand that online homeschool programs follow the same state attendance and academic policies that are already set in place, so the educational accountability is already established. This also accounts for other records like grades, testing and other requirements that are maintained from day one within the online learning management system. Additionally, cyber charter schools follow a traditional school year calendar but there aren’t any snow days or buses to catch to attend class.

On the other hand, homeschooling parents are responsible for understanding the local attendance and academic policies and are accountable for reporting those records to the state while also preparing for yearly evaluations.

Socialization

Online homeschool programs provide students with many opportunities to socialize with other students, both online and offline. They regularly schedule local activities, events, trips, clubs and other meetings that are designed to encourage and support socialization among the student body. Additionally, they offer students with activities found in traditional school settings like a yearbook committee, literary magazines and virtual drama presentations to promote creativity. Lastly, students who meet graduation requirements are eligible to attend a formal graduation ceremony to receive a diploma with the school’s name on it. They also have the traditional cap and gown experience with fellow students, faculty, staff and family members.

Socialization activities for homeschooled children are often challenging as the parent must research and find socialization opportunities on their own. It should also be noted that homeschooled children may miss out on the opportunity to participate in clubs like yearbook and other group-driven activities. Additionally, the parent is responsible for creating a diploma and graduation ceremony and some choose to receive a GED as a record of high school equivalence.

With the above information, you now understand the key differences between homeschooling and an education from online homeschool programs. At the end of the day, it all comes down to providing your child with an education because they need to learn important skills in order to succeed. However, with all the above points, cyber charter school have numerous advantages and benefits that cannot be replicated through homeschooling. Set your child up for success today by enrolling them in 21^st Century Cyber Charter School for the best online education in Pennsylvania.

Expand your horizons

Posted on November 12, 2013October 27, 2015 by Ben Ozgur

Your time in high school is critical. Part of your job as a student, beyond your school work, is to explore and learn as much as you can, about yourself. Doing well in your classes is only one piece of the larger educational puzzle. You can try new things and learn from incredible experiences outside of school as well. Read below to learn about some opportunities that may interest you!

1.) Discover the World of Communication: Students can journey to American University for a summer program in 2014. This program will help students to build a digital portfolio using lessons in television, radio, studio production, and more. CLICK HERE for more details.

2.) Multimedia Journalism Camp: Students can travel to Penn State for a few days in July of 2013. No experience is needed. Students will have an opportunity to be exposed to the world of journalism. This includes story writing, reporting, discovery of information, and research. CLICK HERE for more details.

3.) Summer at Georgetown: Students can participate in a summer law program. They will learn about interesting topics, including: punishment for minors vs. adults, victim rights vs. prisoner rights, arrests and sentencing, and the peer jury system. Workshop is offered in July. For more details CLICK HERE.

4.) Harvard Extension School: Students in high school, and those who are home-schooled, have the opportunity to enroll in courses to earn credit at Harvard’s Extension School. Scholarships are available (with some restrictions) and online study is an option. CLICK HERE to learn more.

5.) Abbey Road Programs: This website will give you a chance to consider and learn more about residential study abroad programs, home-stay immersion programs, and more. Take a look to see if any of these might work for you! CLICK HERE for more details.

Socialization in Cyber School? No Way! Well, Guess Again!

Posted on October 30, 2013 by Ben Ozgur

“You don’t socialize in cyber school. How can you? It’s just you and your computer all day!”

Does this sound familiar to you? If so, you’ve most likely found yourself on the defense, explaining to friends and family that your beloved cyber school choice does involve a community and social learning experience. At 21CCCS, one of the most frequently asked questions our enrollment team fields from prospective families is, “What opportunities are available for my child to socialize?” We explain that it is true that 21CCCS provides an asynchronous, cyber learning environment, which means we do not require students to log into classes at any specific time of day. However, our students come together for lots of things! We’ve developed many ways to offer social outlets for our students. Let me share a few.

1.) Community Outreach Events

These events are held throughout Pennsylvania on a weekly basis and are attended by our teachers, students, family members, and friends. Students are often given a chance to work on schoolwork and tutoring for the first half of the evening. Then, they are given time to play games, meet with their friends, and get to know their teachers. Next month we have cooking class on the calendar. Don’t miss it! The schedule for these events is posted weekly in Moodle and if you have any questions, ask Ms. Hoyt, Mr. Kinsch or your learning coach.

2.) Field Trips

Our field trips are most often educationally minded opportunities for students to come together and share a common learning experience. Ms. Elder and Mr. Chu work to schedule and organize the trips on a monthly basis. In the past we have ventured to Philadelphia, Gettysburg, and the Carnegie Center. Smaller scale field trips have been scheduled to welcome students back to school, or to celebrate the end of the year! If you have ideas for new field trips, let us know! We are happy to explore and schedule new visits.

3.) Clubs

21CCCS offers a variety of cyber clubs each year. We change them when needed, depending upon the interest and needs of our students. In the past, we’ve had a Literary Magazine, Radio-Drama Production, Chess Team, Debate Team and Photography Club. Be sure to ask your learning coach about club opportunities, and if one doesn’t exist that fits an interest, we will work with you to create it.

4.) Live Class and the the Virtual Office

Live class and the virtual office are a great way to reinforce learning materials. But, they are also a great way to get to know teachers and classmates and where most daily socialization happens at 21CCCS. Through one click on the computer, our cyber community is transported to a virtual room full of fellow teachers and classmates, and the learning and discussion opportunities are endless.

The power to get involved and socialize lies within each one of our students at 21CCCS. We believe that socialization in our cyber school is thriving, growing and most certainly possible!

October is Bully Prevention Month!

Posted on October 14, 2013 by Ben Ozgur

It’s October, and that means a lot of things! Breast Cancer Awareness, Fall Festivals, and Bully Prevention Month. This is a time of the year in which people come together to raise awareness about bullying. Here are some quick facts about bullying and the things you can do to help when you know others are being bullied!

The Facts:

An estimated 160,000 children miss school every day because they are fearful of intimidation, taunting, and ridicule by their classmates.

1 in 7 students in grades K-12 is a bully or a victim of bullying.

90% of 4^th through 8^th graders report being victimized by bullying.

4,400 deaths per year, according to the CDC, are caused by suicide. It is the 3^rd leading cause of death among young people.

61% of students said they shoot others because thy have been victims of physical abuse at home.

Types of Bullying:

Verbal: teasing, name calling, insulting

Social/Indirect: spreading stories/rumors, exclusion from groups, embarrassing someone in public

Physical: hitting, kicking, punching, spitting, tripping, pushing, breaking someone’s things

Cyber: using social media (Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, Blogs, etc) or other technologies to bully

Prevention:

So, what can you do about bullying? Some of these ideas might be helpful to you.

Make sure your school has a clear policy in place to define and deal with issues of bullying.

Start a school club or program for Anti-bullying.

Use social media for good! Help to spread the word about the negative repercussions of bullying.

Talk to someone! Your teachers, guidance counselors, friends, and others are here to help you!

Continue to educate. Knowledge is power. Spread the word about bullying, what it is, and how it can be prevented. Become an advocate today!

Time Management!

Posted on October 4, 2013 by Ben Ozgur

We are well into Quarter 1! Great job to everyone who has been working hard in classes. Your teachers are glad and excited to see such great progress!

In an effort to help you keep on track, we wanted to share some great tips. What is time management all about? How can you get on the right track and organize your day in the best possible way? Read below to learn more about time management.

1.) Discover Your Schedule.

What do you do everyday? How is your schedule currently arranged? The first step to designing a time management plan that will work for you is to recognize and then analyze what you are currently doing. Then, you can start to break down how you work. You can ask yourself questions such as these:

– Do you spend several hours each day working at all once?

– Do you need to take frequent breaks?

– What are the biggest distractions for you?

2.) Build Blocks of Time

Are there certain things that you would like to do in specific chunks of time? Perhaps you love art and would like to spend at least two hours each day working on that. Perhaps you struggle with science and need to dedicate a lot of time to that. Whatever you need to schedule in order to complete your work should live on a schedule, broken into feasible chunks of time. Perhaps 2 hours of science or math will not work for you. That’s ok! Maybe 15 minute chunks will work better. Trial and error will help you decide. Piece together something that you can feasibly see yourself completing, and take it from there.

3.) Create Breaks!

It is unrealistic to work all day every day. You need to make sure to include appropriate break times. That means just the right amount of them, and breaks that last for the right amount of time. Maybe taking a two-hour break will become too distracting, making it harder to get back to work. Figure out what is feasible for your learning style and stick to it!

4.) Study Space

Be sure that the area in which you are working is appropriate for your work. Your study and work space should be quiet, comfortable, temperature appropriate, and productive. Setting up shop in your living room with the television on may not help! Sitting in a space that is too cold or too hot can even become distracting! Ask your parents/guardians for help. Make your study space someplace you’d like to be each day.

5.) Make Time for Review

Your attempt at time management may not be successful the first time around. That is OK! This means that you may need to map out a new plan or a new schedule. Talk with your learning coach, teachers, and parents/guardians for assistance. Trying a new schedule, blocks of time, break routine, or study space is completely acceptable! Evaluating your needs on a regular basis is important. Be sure to openly communicate your learning needs so that you can become successful!

Life As A Cyber Senior!

Posted on October 2, 2013October 27, 2015 by Ben Ozgur

Hi, everyone! My name is Hannah Bisbing and I am a senior at 21CCCS. Last year, I was fortunate enough to compose a blog post instructing students how to cope with school-related stress. This year, I have returned to the 21CCCS blog for a new adventure. Throughout the year, I will be updating our blog with posts about senior life. These blogs will cover topics including: the challenges of college applications, SATs, dealing with senioritis, and other random anxieties.

~Welcome to “Life as a Cyber Senior!”~

To begin our first discussion, I will provide some personal information about my current school life. Within the past month, I have submitted two college applications to attain a priority status at Pennsylvania State University. I have written numerous personal/supplemental essays for other schools, studied for the October 5^th SAT, and attempted to stay on track with my schoolwork for 21CCCS. Without a doubt, this is certainly an exciting, yet chaotic, time for seniors. While school will be demanding this year, especially for the first semester, each of us should try to enjoy our hectic experiences as much as possible. That’s because for many of us, college life is less than a year away!

Last week, I also attended an informative event at Penn State, which was targeted at high school seniors. I actually went to the same event during my junior year, but the experience was even more thrilling the second time around. This time I knew that I had already applied! These types of occasions are excellent ways to become familiar with college settings, to ask questions to knowledgeable staff and students, and to visualize your contribution to a particular school. I highly suggest that seniors, juniors, and perhaps some eager sophomores take part in a few of these trips before deciding where to apply to school. Sometimes the college where you think you “should attend” is not actually where you truly belong. Feeling comfortable at a college and being able to envision yourself succeeding there is just as important as any college’s academic aspects.

For now, my main advice about getting back into the school cycle is to breathe. Focus on your goals and keep plugging along with your work. You can do this! Just take one step at a time.

And just for seniors, here’s a little reminder:

…but I think we can all agree that the meme goes a bit more like this…..

If you would like to comment or share any information, please visit the 21^st Century Cyber Charter School Facebook page. Feedback from students, parents, and teachers could be featured in upcoming posts!

Working While in School?

Posted on September 23, 2013 by Ben Ozgur

For lots of students, Cyber School is a great option because it differentiates your schedule, taking you away from the traditional 7:00 a.m. wake-up and 2:15 p.m. dismissal. Your schedule is what you make of it.

For some students, this change in schedule allows for the pursuit of part time work, which is a great way to gain experience and prepare for jobs to come in the future. Below you can find a list of some great job options for young people.

1.) Health Care Aid: Do you have a heart and passion for helping the elderly? You can easily work for a Retirement Home or Elderly Care center, and share your time with individuals who will appreciate your company! You can assist with simple tasks, such as visiting with residents, reading to them, or helping to facilitate guest visits when family members come to visit.

2.) Food Delivery: If you have a license, food delivery for a variety of restaurants may be the perfect fit for you! You get to use your new wheels, tour the neighborhood, meet people, and learn a bit about customer service. Careful though! Foods are not meant to be sampled on the ride over! (Just kidding.)

3.) Tutor: Are you great at a particular school subject? Are you a positive and encouraging person? Often times, the best person a younger student can learn from is an older student like you! Your perspective can really help students to understand difficult concepts and make them feel great. Talk to your teachers or guidance counselors about tutoring opportunities in your area.

4.) Animal Shelter Worker: Do you have a huge heart for anything furry, fuzzy, and loveable? Maybe you’d like to spend some time working for an animal shelter. They need lots of help playing with the animals, cleaning them, and making them feel at home until adoption day! This could be a great way to spend time after schoolwork is done!

5.) Retail Associate: There are plenty of jobs at the local retail shops in your area. Usually, these stores are in search of individuals to work with customers, stock inventory, clean, and more. Evening hours are usually available for anyone interested in part-time work. Walk right into your favorite spot, and ask if they are hiring. Even if they are not, consider asking to complete an application online. That way, when an opening is available, your resume or application will already be in their database.

Good luck out there! Tell us how you make out. Also, if you pursue different kind of work than is listed here, reach out and tell us about it! We’d love to hear some other great ideas.

Getting Back in the Swing

Posted on September 13, 2013 by Ben Ozgur

If you’re reading this blog today, you’ve probably had a fantastic summer, chock full of great memories and things to fantasize about. Summer offers so many wonderful opportunities to explore new things, catch up on needed R&R, spend time with friends, or travel. Coming back to school after such a whirlwind is not easy for anyone. It has been said that adjusting yourself to a new habit can take anywhere from 2-3 weeks. So, that means adjusting back to your school-working self is going to take time.

Here are a few helpful hints that may ease the transition! If you have some suggestions of your own, don’t hesitate to contact us at kely@21cccs.org.

1.) Create a schedule. Making your game plan is a great way to consider what you want to accomplish and how to accomplish it. Your learning coach is especially good at this and can help you to construct something to get you off on the right foot. Consider what worked for you last year. Repeat what worked and consider changes that can help you to get ahead. Maybe you’ve learned that you need more time for math homework than you do for social studies. Maybe you need to write more than one draft of your English assignments. Whatever the case, create a schedule for yourself that reflects your own strengths and weaknesses so that you can achieve what you want to this year!

2.) Contact your teachers! Your teachers and learning coaches want to know you! Something as simple as a telephone call, a chat through the VO, or an email will help you get to know your instructors. They want to know not just how they can help you instructionally, but what your dreams and aspirations are as well!

3.) Make a list! Lots of times when we begin a new school year, the workload looks unbearable! The best thing to do is create a list for yourself and start at the top. When you check things off, you will feel accomplished and proud to know you’re getting things done. Starting small will pay off in the long run. You can do anything you put your mind to.

4.) Don’t get down on yourself! Remember that everyday is an opportunity to do great things. Think of every morning as a new beginning. You have the power to learn, question, explore, and grow. School can be overwhelming, especially when you can see an entire quarter’s worth of work staring at you on a computer screen. (Oh, Moodle! You crazy cat!) Remember, you are not the first student, and you will not be the last, to complete what is there for you. Take one day at a time and treat everyday like a fresh start. You can do this!

5.) Make an effort to get to know your classmates. Each member of this school feels pretty darn lucky. We have some incredible students! Get to know your classmates in the VOs. Join us for field trips and community outreach events. You never know how special your classmates are until you take the time to get to know them!

Have a great school year everyone! Ahh, to be young again! We are excited for you!

Volunteering Around Pennsylvania!

Posted on September 10, 2013 by Ben Ozgur

Students learn a lot when they have an opportunity to use their skills, patience, and humility to give something back to the community. Here at 21CCCS, we encourage student curiosity and devotion to helping others. Here are some great resources that can help you to reach out and help organizations and causes in a town or city near you! Hey, go ahead and invite your friends and family members to participate with you! You’ll be surprised what you can accomplish with a little motivation to do good.

1.) www.Idealist.org: This site lists jobs and internships, but it also offers lists upon lists of volunteer opportunities. This site is easy to use, search-friendly, and a huge resource for anyone interested in getting involved!

2.) www.Volunteermatch.org: This site lets you search for volunteer opportunities that fall into categories such as “Advocacy and Human Rights,” “Animals,” “Arts and Culture,” or “Board Development.” This will help you to pinpoint the kinds of opportunities you’re searching for.

3.) www.Volunteerlv.org: This site will show volunteer agency postings for opportunities within the Delaware Valley. If you know you have some free time coming up in your life, you can even search for opportunities by date! This is a great way to get started with some smaller scale projects.

4.) http://www.Nature.org: This site provides information about The Nature Conservancy, which operates to protect and preserve nature. In Pennsylvania, it serves to protect a wide array of preserves across the Northwest, Central, and Southwest regions of the state. For more details on volunteering, take a look at their link for volunteering, which is called “Give Back to Nature.”

5.) http://Pspca.org/volunteer: If animals are your thing, this is a great resource for you. Animals need your help all over the state, and this does not have to mean only adopting or fostering animals. There are needs for office assistants, photographers, special events assistants, and more. Check out this site if your heart melts for animals! You can make a difference today!

Please tell us about your experiences! If you are volunteering already, or if these sites help you to find opportunities, we want to hear all about it! Email kely@21cccs.org with details and/or pics!

21st Century Cyber Charter School

Category: Students