College preparation, the final stage before a student’s leap into the great unknown, is upon us. As second semester cements itself in the new calendar year, juniors here at Chamblee Charter High School are forced to look ahead to key to the academic promiseland: SAT and ACT scores.
Preparing for these two monumental tests can be a source of unprecedented stress for teens, a feeling that when coupled with the added pressures of finals and AP exams, is particularly influential. As of the start of second semester, there are three more possible dates (Mar. 10, May 5, Jun. 2) to take the SAT before senior year, and four possible dates (Feb. 10, Apr. 14, Jun. 9, Jul.14) for the ACT.
Reality has set in, and the future is now on the line. The fact that the most important moments of a student’s high school career have been condensed into a realistic few days, has many students minds flustered and thoughts disarrayed.
“I’ve definitely begun to think more about how I need to prepare for for these tests, but also just for the future. Of course the test is really important, but now I’m also thinking about life beyond high school,” said junior, Miela Westbrook.
For a test of this magnitude, significant attention is typically shown during the months and weeks leading up to the exam, a level that some students feel may influence many aspects of life.
“I would probably start really studying for the exam about a month before it, but I know that would really nag at me. The thought of the big test coming up would always be in the back of my mind,” said Westbrook.
A popular method for tackling the SAT and ACT is to enroll in prep classes, that although time consuming, are considered one of the more effective ways to prepare. The questions is, should you invest in costly classes, or just try and equip yourself on your own.
“I have already taken both the SAT and ACT, and I have never taken a class for either of them,” said junior, William Gao. “I mean I just study on my own whenever I was able to find time. I think that you should never take studying for these exams as seriously as your grades in school.”
Some feel that preparation for the exams is of utmost importance, and that the prep classes do more to thoroughly cover the test material than you could on you own. And even better, these classes can help build on knowledge you already have about the test. Nonetheless, classes take time, and a shortage of time creates stress for an already busy high school junior.
“I have already taken the SAT, but I plan on taking it again in March, and this one was supposed to kind of be my benchmark,” said junior, Bennett Solomon. “And because I’m taking it again, I’ve scheduled prep classes for the next two-ish months until I take it. This last one was more to see where I’m at.”
Undoubtedly the hardest effect to cope with when preparing during the weeks leading up to the exam, is a refined need for time management, a need that is only highlighted by when taking a prep class. Classes take time, and any time taken away from a high school junior’s already hectic schedule creates more than just a time crunch.
“Let me just say; when I start taking these classes I’m going to have track [practice] that goes until 6:00; these classes go from 6:30 to 9:00; and then I have to go home, eat, and start my homework,” said Solomon. “It’s going to be very stressful, but it’s also going to take a lot away because that means that I’ll be up late into the night and I’m going to wake up tired and still do everything else.”
Balancing the weight of a normal junior’s school work with the added responsibility of studying for a massive standardized test is a skill, a necessary on at that, which is one of the keys to cracking the SAT/ACT code.
“Although it may be hard, it is something that we all have to go through,” said Westbrook. “For most of us if we focus and try our best even though we’re stressed, we’ll do okay.”
