A Stable Beginning

Sunday, May 19, 2013

High School PREP Genius: An Academic Guide to Excellence ~ a TOS review

Preparing for the high school years can be a daunting task for any parent whether you homeschool or not. Thankfully, we now have a great tool called High School Prep Genius: An Academic Guide to Excellence (HSPG),that helps walk you step-by-step through the entire process.

HSPG was created by Jean Burke of College Prep Genius, a homeschooling mom, who has successfully helped many families navigate the PSAT/SAT and the highschool years. Everything you need to plan and implement a successful high school career and beyond is in this handy guide. This jam-packed book costs only $29.95 and contains 440 pages divided into 4 main sections with 5 Appendixes covering the following topics:

I. Introduction ~ how to use the book, how to set up a College & Career notebook and student timelines for grades 9-12.

II. Foundation for Personal Success ~ personal development, interests, beliefs, being healthy, financial independence and having a strong support system.

III. Foundation for Academic Success ~academic development, effective studying, tests and papers, getting organized, high school mechanics and going beyond the basics.

IV. Foundation for Future Success ~ future development, choosing a school, standardized test prep, college applications, paying for college and helpful college essentials.

Appendix A: How to Build a Homeschool Transcript

Appendix B: Talent Searches

Appendix C: Great Books to Get You Started

Appendix D: Reduce Test Anxiety Through Relaxation Techniques

Appendix E: Admissions Terminology

~from table of contents

Homeschool Moms & Dads act as the guidance counselors for their children on a daily basis. With HSPG you are given a road-map for High School success with a month-by-month snapshot of what to do and when. Priceless information for this homeschool mom, especially since we are navigating through the process with our first born daughter. With just a large 3-ring binder and 7 pocketed dividers you and your child can read through the chapters together or you can have your child read alone. There are short questions at the end of each chapter to engage with and discuss with your child. I would say that Chapter 3 had me pause with the chapter on questioning your own beliefs and worldview. If your family is of faith I would recommend you sit down and talk about your families values and then work the chapter together.

I am very pleased with this book and wholeheartedly recommend it to everyone I know! It is worth it’s price in gold for all the valuable information contained inside it. With Marie being my oldest and finishing up her Sophomore year, I wish that we had found this guide in 8th grade. I am so glad that I have this resourceful book to use with my other four daughters as they begin their high school journeys.

Marie’s thoughts:

“I like how this book is laid out in the book showing me everything that I need to accomplish especially in the month-to-month breakdown for each school year. I am so glad to have had an opportunity to use this book”!

If you have a rising 7th or 8th grader I suggest you rush out and get a copy of High School Prep Genius ASAP! Read through it now and get a jump on what is to come so that your high school years can be smooth sailing and stress free. Be sure to click on the banner below and see what my CrewMates thought of this book too.