bryan college

Why Sending Your Child to a Secular College Could Lead to Negative Outcomes

Posted on by patweso

As a Christian parent who has homeschooled your children, you have likely invested significant time and effort in shaping their values and beliefs. You have instilled in them a strong foundation in the Christian faith, and have guided them in living a life that honors God. However, as your children approach adulthood and begin to make their own decisions, you may find that their choices conflict with your Christian values. One such decision that can cause significant conflict is sending your child to a university whose teachings are opposed to your worldview. This is not to say that a Christian who attends a secular college cannot succeed. They can. Two of my sons completed their education on secular campuses for varying reasons, and neither one had a crises of faith. Both were older and married when they completed their education and I believe their maturity contributed to their ability not to be swayed by opposing worldviews or peer pressure. On the other hand, I have quite a few friends whose children attended a secular college immediately after high school with repercussions that were heartbreaking.

Attending a university whose teachings conflict with your Christian values can lead to a crisis of faith for your child. During their time at college, they will likely be exposed to a wide range of ideas and worldviews that may challenge their beliefs. This can be especially difficult for young adults who are still developing their own worldview and sense of identity. If they are not well-equipped to navigate these challenges, it can lead to confusion, doubt, and even a loss of faith.

When the teachings at a college are directly opposed to your Christian beliefs, the result can be a disconnect between your child’s values and their actions. In other words, they may begin to live a life that is inconsistent with the values you have taught them. They may begin to engage in behaviors and activities which are not consistent with Christian values. This can cause significant stress and conflict for both you and your child.

A breakdown in family relationships can happen when a child’s values and beliefs conflict with those of their parents, and that can lead to tension and conflict within the family. This can be especially difficult for Christian families whose faith is often a core part of the family’s identity. If your child begins to question their faith or live a life that is inconsistent with your values, it can cause significant strain on your relationship with them.

Sending your child to a college whose teachings conflict with your Christian values could be a poor choice with negative outcomes, leading to a crisis of faith, a disconnect between your child’s values and their actions, and a breakdown in family relationships. As a Christian parent, it is important to carefully consider the values and beliefs of any college before sending your child there. If you do choose to send your child to a college whose teachings conflict with your worldview, it is important to equip them with the tools they need to navigate these challenges while staying true to their faith. Remember, your child’s spiritual well-being is more important than their academic success, and you don’t want to forfeit one for the sake of the other.

Why Colleges are Embracing Homeschooled Students: The Unique Perspective and Valuable Skills They Bring to the College Environment

Posted on by patweso

In recent years, there has been a growing trend of colleges actively seeking homeschooled students. In the past, homeschooled students were often viewed with skepticism by colleges, but this perception is changing as more and more homeschoolers excel academically and prove themselves to be valuable members of their communities. Here are some reasons why colleges are seeking homeschooled students:

  1. Unique Perspective: Homeschooled students often bring a unique perspective to college classrooms. These students are typically self-motivated, independent, and able to manage their time effectively. They also tend to be creative problem-solvers who are used to thinking outside the box. This perspective can be valuable in college courses and can contribute to a more diverse and engaging academic environment.
  2. Well-Rounded Education: Homeschooling allows students to receive a well-rounded education that emphasizes critical thinking, communication, and leadership skills. Homeschooled students have more flexibility in their curriculum and can pursue their interests in-depth. They are also more likely to have experience with community service, extracurricular activities, and internships. These experiences can help homeschooled students stand out in college admissions and contribute to their success in college.
  3. Strong Work Ethic: Homeschooled students often have a strong work ethic that is attractive to colleges. These students are used to working independently and taking responsibility for their education. They are also typically motivated by a love of learning rather than external rewards like grades or test scores. This work ethic can translate into academic success in college and beyond.
  4. College Readiness: Homeschooled students tend to be well-prepared for college-level coursework. They have experience with self-directed learning, research, and writing. They also tend to have strong study habits and time management skills. These skills are essential for success in college and can help homeschooled students thrive in the college environment.
  5. Dedicated to Learning: Homeschooled students are often dedicated to lifelong learning. They are used to taking responsibility for their education and are more likely to pursue learning opportunities outside of the classroom. This dedication to learning can lead to academic success in college and beyond and can make homeschooled students valuable members of the college community.

Many colleges are seeking homeschooled students and, for this reason, many have hired homeschool counselors. Homeschooled students, in general, bring a valuable set of skills and experiences to the college environment and are well-prepared for academic success. As homeschooling becomes more mainstream and accepted, it is likely that more colleges will actively seek out these students. My position was created at Bryan College as a result of the great experiences the faculty and staff had with the homeschooled students on campus. Our current president, Dr. Mann, is a homeschool dad. Many of our faculty and staff homeschool their children and Bryan College offers a homeschool scholarship!

Why a Private College Offers a More Personalized and Engaging Academic Experience than a State University

Posted on by patweso

Choosing the right college can be a daunting task for students and their families. One of the most significant decisions students have to make is whether to attend a private college or a state university. While both options offer excellent academic opportunities, there are many advantages to attending a private college.

  1. Smaller Class Sizes: Private colleges tend to have smaller class sizes than state universities. This means that students can benefit from more individualized attention from professors and better access to academic resources. Smaller classes also promote more significant student engagement, discussion, and collaboration.
  2. Personalized Attention: Private colleges offer more personalized attention than state universities. The smaller size of private colleges means that students are more likely to receive individual attention from their professors, academic advisors, and other staff members. This can be beneficial when seeking academic guidance, career advice, or extra support.
  3. Higher Graduation Rates: Private colleges tend to have higher graduation rates than state universities. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, private colleges have an average six-year graduation rate of 65%, while state universities have an average six-year graduation rate of 59%. Private colleges tend to offer more structured academic programs and greater support services that can help students stay on track to graduation.
  4. Access to Resources: Private colleges often offer more access to resources than state universities. These resources can include state-of-the-art research facilities, specialized academic programs, and more extensive alumni networks. Private colleges also tend to have more extensive financial aid programs and scholarships available to students, which can help offset the higher tuition costs.
  5. Prestige: Private colleges are often considered more prestigious than state universities. Many private colleges have a long-standing reputation for academic excellence, and attending one can provide students with a valuable credential that can enhance their job prospects and graduate school applications.

When comparing colleges, do not let the sticker prices deter you. Increased prices often coincide with increased scholarship awards. In order to compare apples with apples, go ahead and apply to your top college choices so that you can compare award letters.

While state universities offer many benefits, private colleges offer a more personalized and engaging academic experience. Private colleges offer smaller class sizes, more personalized attention, higher graduation rates, access to resources, and greater prestige. Ultimately, the choice between a private college and a state university will depend on the individual student’s goals, needs, and resources.

Going the Distance: Exploring the Advantages of a Four-Year College over a Two-Year College

Posted on by patweso

When it comes to choosing a college path, one option is to attend a four-year university rather than starting at a community college and then transferring. While both options have their benefits, there are several advantages to attending a four-year college from the beginning.

  1. More comprehensive education: Four-year universities offer a more comprehensive education than community colleges. These schools offer a wide variety of courses, majors, and extracurricular activities, which allows students to explore a range of interests and develop a well-rounded skill set. In contrast, community colleges tend to offer a limited selection of courses and programs, which may not provide the same level of depth or breadth.
  2. Greater prestige: Attending a four-year college can also offer greater prestige than starting at a community college. This can be beneficial when applying for jobs, internships, or graduate programs, as employers and admissions officers may place more value on degrees from well-known universities.
  3. Networking opportunities: Four-year universities often offer more networking opportunities than community colleges. These schools typically have larger alumni networks and may offer more opportunities for students to connect with professionals in their field. This can be beneficial when looking for internships, job opportunities, or mentors.
  4. More resources: Four-year universities often have more resources than community colleges. This can include research facilities, libraries, and specialized centers or institutes. These resources can provide students with access to cutting-edge research, technologies, and academic support services.
  5. Greater campus experience: Attending a four-year university can also offer a more robust campus experience than starting at a community college. Four-year universities often have more extracurricular activities, clubs, and events, which can help students build a strong sense of community and develop leadership skills. Additionally, four-year universities may offer more on-campus housing options, which can provide a more immersive college experience.
  6. Monetary benefits: Even though community colleges may be more affordable than a four year college, transfer students lose freshmen scholarship opportunities and, in some cases, the price of two years at a community college, plus the cost of the last two years at a four year college exceeds what it would cost to attend the four year college from the beginning.

While attending a community college and transferring to a four-year university can be a good option for some students, there are several advantages to attending a four-year university from the beginning. Four year colleges offer a more comprehensive education, greater prestige, networking opportunities, more resources, and a greater campus experience. Ultimately, the decision of whether to attend a four-year university or a community college and transfer will depend on each student’s individual goals, needs, and resources.

Benefits of a Test Optional College

Posted on by patweso

Colleges that are test optional do not require applicants to submit a test score for admission. Some colleges extend that policy to merit awards, being willing to offer merit scholarships based on a student’s GPA rather than a test score. During COVID many colleges became test optional simply because students did not have a way to take the ACT or the SAT. After testing possibilities returned, many colleges discontinued being test optional. Before Covid, Bryan College required both test scores and high school GPAs for merit scholarships. During COVID Bryan became test optional, using either a test score or a high school GPA alone for merit scholarships. This year Bryan College announced that they are now using either a test score or a dual enrollment GPA (minimum 9 credits earned) for merit scholarships. This is great news for students who have high dual enrollment GPAs, but who test poorly. A few years ago my three youngest children were students at Bryan College. As dual enrolled students they made great grades (4.0). However, they were not good test takers so they did not earn the highest merit scholarships. Had we had this policy back then, all three would have earned the highest merit scholarship (based on a DE GPA of 3.75 or higher).

In order to take advantage of this policy, students need to plan far enough ahead so that they can earn at least nine hours of dual enrollment credit while in high school. The higher the GPA, the better. Bryan College also hosts a scholarship event each semester for qualifying seniors who have been accepted to Bryan College. In order to attend the event held in November a senior will have to have a certain test score (ACT 21, SAT 1060 or CLT 68 was the 2022/2023 requirement) or have earned at least nine credits in dual enrollment with a 3.0 or higher GPA. For seniors who have not obtained either the test score or the completion of nine dual enrollment credits, they can make plans to meet requirements during the fall semester and attend the second scholarship event offered at Bryan in February of the spring semester.

Personally, I am not aware of any other colleges offering merit scholarships based on dual enrollment GPAs. I love that Bryan College has embraced this policy.

Homeschoolers can benefit from a college that is test-optional and uses GPA for enrollment in several ways:

  1. It reduces the pressure on standardized testing: Homeschoolers may not have access to traditional testing opportunities such as the SAT or ACT. Even if they do, they may not perform as well on these tests compared to their counterparts who attended traditional schools. A test-optional policy reduces the importance of these tests and allows homeschoolers to be evaluated on their GPA.
  2. It highlights their academic achievements: Since homeschoolers do not have a traditional transcript, their dual enrollment GPA can showcase their academic achievements. If their GPA is strong, it can be an indicator of their ability to handle college-level coursework.
  3. It may level the playing field: Homeschoolers may face bias and misconceptions about their education. A test-optional policy can help reduce these biases and provide a more equitable evaluation process.

Overall, a test-optional policy that considers dual enrollment GPA for enrollment can be beneficial for homeschoolers and provide them with a fair opportunity to not only gain admission to college, but to earn merit scholarships and, at Bryan College, to qualify for an additional scholarship event.

Tennessee students can take 30 hours of dual enrollment classes at Bryan College for less than $200 tuition (total), plus books and fees, and out-of-state students are offered a $200 scholarship per class. For more information send an email to bcde@bryan.edu.

If you have students who have completed their junior year who are interested in attending Bryan College, the sooner they apply the better. There is no application fee. Planning ahead not only saves a student a lot of money (via dual enrollment), but it can also earn the student additional scholarship funds, reducing the overall price of college considerably. I am the homeschool admissions counselor at Bryan College. If you would like to be on my email list, receiving updates and announcements, send me an email: pat.wesolowski@bryan.edu.

One Year Left; Make the Most of It!

Posted on by patweso

Having a rising senior stirs up a variety of mixed emotions from relief (assuming your senior graduates with passing grades), to sadness (it is the end of an era after all), to concern (are they ready for the next step?), to anxiety (can we afford college?). Allow me to help you plan ahead so that you can enjoy this experience with as little stress as possible.

If your students have not narrowed down their top college choices, they should do that right away, visiting each campus in person if possible. Take a tour, attend classes and chapel (if offered), eat in the cafeteria and, by all means, stop and talk with students, faculty and staff when the opportunity arises. Suggestions for questions to ask when choosing a college are listed in this article.

Seniors should also apply to their top college choices if they have not done that yet. If a college does charge an application fee, then you can ask an admissions counselor if there’s a code available that you can use to waive the fee or ask if there’s a period of time when they can apply without a fee. I am a firm believer in ‘it never hurts to ask.’ The application fee has been waived at Bryan College.

By now your students have probably taken multiple college exams (ACT, SAT or CLT) in order to earn higher academic scholarships or to meet state and/or athletic requirements. Unless your students have reached the highest level of academic award at their top college choices, have them continue taking these tests and consider using test prep programs when possible. 36University is an online prep site that many students have used to increase their scores and it is quite affordable (only $12 a month when you register using the code ‘bryan’).

If your students plan to stay in state then, by all means, find out about every opportunity offered by the state, including the amount offered and the requirements for homeschooled students. Many students miss out on these opportunities because they are either unaware of the opportunities or, by the time they become aware of them, the deadlines have passed. If you live in the State of Tennessee, send me an email and I will share the opportunities available to your students. (pat.wesolowski@bryan.edu)

Homeschooled athletes who are planning to play sports in college need to find out what association the college athletic department is under (NAIA, NCAA, NJCAA) so that you can find out the eligibility requirements. Club sports are independent, so the requirements will be set by the college, not the association. Also, find out if your college of choice stacks their academic and athletic scholarships. Many colleges do not allow athletic scholarships to stack with others. If the institution does not stack scholarships, it might be preferable to pursue academic scholarships (if the amounts are similar) since athletes get hurt and could be dropped from certain programs. More than likely, if the scholarships do stack, your students will earn more by coupling the two rather than choosing one over the other.  Bryan College is an NAIA college and our athletic and academic scholarships stack. Bryan College’s club sports are fishing, cheerleading, shooting and martial arts.

Be sure you look at the scholarship information on each college website in order to be well aware of every opportunity offered, especially if the scholarship has requirements that have not been met yet (but there’s still time to meet the requirements). Also, find out if there are additional scholarship events for seniors. At Bryan College we host a scholarship each semester for qualifying seniors. It is a free event and each participant receives additional scholarship funds based on an interview with professors. For the past six years our November Scholarship Event has included an essay contest and one winner receives full tuition for all four years. For two out of the past three years, a homeschooled student has won the essay contest. Full tuition. Four years. Wow!

The FAFSA can be filled out for seniors beginning October 1st, but wait a few days because the site gets bogged down with traffic and is slow moving (or shuts down altogether). But, do not wait too long, because the colleges will wait on the FAFSA information before they offer award letters. There is a tool on the FAFSA that allows you to import your tax information from the IRS. Feel free to use that if your taxes are not complicated. However, if you have bought or sold stocks, borrowed against a retirement account or cashed one in, fill out that information manually. Apparently, if you import the information it majorly messes up the end results. Even if you believe your student will not be awarded any Federal financial aid chances are your colleges of choice will want that information. There are several colleges who do not require the FAFSA be filled out. Most colleges will allow parents to be exempt from this step if it is their preference. The FAFSA results show whether your students will receive a Pell grant (money not required to pay back), will qualify for a subsidized or unsubsidized loan, and/or whether they will qualify for work study. At Bryan College, students who qualify for work study can earn up to $1,000 per semester working on campus. Those students who do not qualify for work study, but who do want to work on campus can usually work in the cafeteria.

Dual enrollment is a great way for your student to earn college and high school credit at the same time, oftentimes for free or at a reduced price. Bryan College offers an out-of-state scholarship of $200 per class and students in Tennessee can actually take 30 hours with Bryan for $258 (write to bcde@bryan.edu for details). Dual enrollment is not without risks and I’ve written an article about that here. If you prefer a podcast over an article, this podcast addresses the same issue. There are several articles pertaining to dual enrollment including which classes to choose, study and time management skills and more on the blog. In order for your homeschooled, Tennessee students to be able to take more than one free class at a time (juniors and seniors), they need an ACT score of 21 or comparable SAT score. (State requirement.) Sophomores, whether in state or out-of-state can take one dual enrollment class per semester at Bryan College if they have a 3.5 GPA.

Attending events hosted by your colleges of choice is a great way for your students to get a better feel of each institution. Find out if they offer summer camps, conferences, workshops, open houses, or athletic clinics and sign your students up. Since COVID, there has been a rise in anxiety among incoming freshmen. It has been noted that the seniors who have attended our Summer Institute (staying on campus a full week) have much less anxiety than the majority. At Bryan College we encourage graduating seniors to attend our Summer Institute for that reason!

Independent scholarships are another way to help make college affordable. I did not realize until last year that there are scholarships available to students who are already enrolled in college! So start applying now and keep an eye out for more opportunities even when you are in college! When applying for independent scholarships, remember to use an email address dedicated to scholarships only (otherwise your inbox will be bombarded). Each month I post a link on the Facebook Page for Homeschool Admissions that gives information on scholarships with deadlines for that particular month. I also send out an email to my contacts that includes these scholarship opportunities. The independent scholarships range from small amounts to very high amounts. Some require essays, others do not. If you would like to be on my email list so that you will receive these monthly opportunities, send an email to me at pat.wesolowski@bryan.edu

Seniors can also earn college credit by taking CLEP tests and now those tests can be taken virtually from home (within the United States). Before you spend money on these tests, check with your colleges of choice to find out their policies regarding CLEP credits. Some colleges will not accept any credits from CLEP while others accept unlimited hours of college credit from CLEP. Bryan College accepts up to 30 CLEP credits and there are specific CLEP credits are accepted. I can direct you to that list if you would like. Speaking of CLEP tests, if you have a child proficient in a second language, taking the CLEP test for a foreign language could help them earn 3, 6, or even 9 college credits from one test!

Let’s talk about choosing courses for your students’ senior year.

  • Choose classes necessary for graduation or that are required by your colleges of choice
  • Choose classes that will help increase your students’ college exam scores if they need higher scores for scholarship or requirement purposes (math, language arts, perhaps Latin). This could include college exam prep classes.
  • Choose classes that will help your child confirm an interest related to a particular major.
  • A one semester college class (dual enrolled) is usually counted as a full year of high school credit so if your senior is lacking in credits, this is a way to increase credits. And, speaking of dual enrollment, taking College Writing (English 109 at Bryan) is a great choice because your students will be doing a ton of writing in college. I highly recommend this class be taken at a Christian college otherwise your students may be assigned to read material that many parents would find offensive.
  • If your students plan to pursue a major such as engineering or nursing, then it is quite possible they will have fewer electives and more hours to fulfill than many other majors so, the more dual enrollment classes they can take, the better. Be sure to look at the four year track of the major being considered because you want the dual enrollment classes to be relevant to the major they are pursuing. For instance, an engineering degree at Bryan College does not require a foreign language so if your students take a foreign language as a dual enrollment course, it will be counted as an elective. Make sense?
  • When your seniors are fairly well set for graduation and have time to take it easy, choose courses and opportunities that they will enjoy! If they haven’t participated in a speech and debate club, I highly recommend that experience. Encourage them to attend TeenPact and other such opportunities offered.

A WORD OF WARNING: If your students take dual enrollment classes, be sure they are prepared not only to pass the class, but to make good grades, otherwise their GPA will suffer and that may result in a loss of academic scholarships. Failed classes can be retaken if there’s time, but that will cost the student in both time and money. Better to pass the class the first time with good grades.

Encourage your students not to slack off and drop the ball, especially when their GPA is being used for academic awards or for opportunity requirements. Planning with intention will help your seniors be well prepared for college while enjoying their last year of high school. Making college affordable will help you enjoy your students’ college experience as well.

Five Steps to Improving Study Skills and Time Management

Posted on by patweso

At a visitation day at Bryan College several years ago, we had a question and answer session set up with a panel of ten college students who were homeschooled. A parent asked, “What was the most difficult adjustment to college life and, what would you recommend to incoming students in order to be better prepared?” All ten students said that time management was the most difficult adjustment. The recommendation made by the students was for high school students to either participate in a co-op or a class where they answer to someone other than mom or, if able, to take dual enrollment classes. Unless the student is taking a class on time management, this skill is not learned through the curriculum but, rather, through the process. The flexibility that homeschooling allows, although advantageous, is often a contributing factor to poor time management. Having to complete homework, turn in assignments, take tests, and participate in group forums (or activities) with deadlines forces students to sink or swim. We don’t want them to sink, so let’s help them swim.

Although dual enrollment is a great way to introduce high school students to the rigor of college classes, your students will do better if they have learned how to manage their time beforehand. Students who are able to organize their schedules, develop good study skills, and manage their time well will have much less stress than students who fly by the seat of their pants, hoping everything will come together in the end. In several of the articles I’ve written, I point out that there are neglected subjects that may be as important, or more important, than the core classes for high school students. Time management is a skill that should be taught long before students head off to college, so let’s talk about the nuts and bolts of how to do this.

  1. Set the Environment: Because students are very diverse in how they learn, there is no black and white, one-size-fits all method, but the principles are similar. Where to begin? Let’s start with where your students study. Encourage them to prepare a study environment that works well for them. When studying, students should put their phone on silent, and put it away so they won’t be tempted to pick it up and check notifications. Create a ritual that enhances their ability to concentrate. For some, that will mean working in total silence while for others, background music may be helpful. Running a diffuser, lighting a candle, or turning on a fan are other suggestions that could be incorporated into the process. Some students can sit at a dining table with activities going on all around them and not be distracted, while others need a setting with as few distractions as possible. When I was in college I doodled while I took notes. It helped me concentrate. For others, that would be a distraction. Do not impose on your students the environment that works best for you if it does not work for them. On the other hand, if a student insists on a certain study environment, but work is not getting accomplished, then changes may need to be made. If your home does not allow for a quiet place, yet that is what your student needs, then purchase a noise blocking device such as headphones, ear muffs, or ear plugs. If you are not familiar with Cynthia Tobias and her book, The Way They Learn, I highly recommend it. This video is part 1 of a two part series that is well worth listening to when you have time. Not only does Cynthia help you understand the differences in how we learn, but she’s quite funny and entertaining too! This site contains free resources from Cynthia including multiple tips for parenting!
  2. Manage Study Periods. Making the best use of the time allotted for study is crucial to successful studying. If possible, it is helpful to schedule specific, consistent study times. One method many students have found helpful is called the Pomodoro method. This method has the student set a timer for short, intense periods of study. When the timer ends, the student takes a break and then resets the timer. According to William Wadsworth, “The benefits of working in intense, timed bursts separated by breaks includes:
  • Better motivation: bolster determination to achieve your goals by having an external motivator (the ticking clock) to get you fired up.
  • Enhance focus and concentration, encouraging you to cut out interruptions and stay on task.
  • Strengthen your determination to keep on trying even when you don’t feel like it, or the work is tough, because you can’t quit while the timer is ticking.
  • Higher levels of energy and intensity because of the mild time-pressure, with breaks serving as opportunities to pause and refresh before going again.”

The Pomodoro method may not work for everyone, but it’s worth checking out. It helped one of my sons when he began using it while in college. The article includes specifics regarding this method, so check it out.

3. Discover the Most Effective Way to Study. There are several types of learners and, for that reason, some methods of study are more effective than others, depending on the student’s learning style. Some students are visual, needing to see notes on the material being presented. Handwriting notes for review is most helpful for many. More than a few college professors do not allow students to take notes on laptops and, for that reason (among others), knowing how to take handwritten notes effectively is important. There are many articles that defend the value of handwritten notes and this article, from NPR, shares research results while giving more than a few reasons for this stance. For those who do take notes while studying, this article describes the Cornell method of notetaking. This video summarizes the Cornell method in less than a minute. Until my son told me about the Cornell method, I had never heard of it. In my opinion, the concept is simple, and brilliant!

While some students are visual learners, others are auditory learners and, for those students, dictating information that they can repeatedly listen to is beneficial.

Thanks to modern technology, studying, regardless of the type of learner, has become easier. There are free phone apps that help with a variety of study methods. When my daughter, Courtlyn, was in nursing school, needing to learn to identify parts of the body visually and by name, she used Chegg to create flashcards that included photographs as well text. She is a kinesthetic learner (absorbs information through touch, movement and motion) and she found that hand writing each slide from her professor’s powerpoint presentations helped her commit the information to memory. Quizlet is another popular app. In addition to learning tools, this app has flashcards and pre-set quizzes (which may have been added by professors or by students). Quizlet even allows professors to create in-class games. According to this article, with Quizlet you can:
– Get test-day ready with Learn
– Put your memory to the test with Write
– Race against the clock in a game of Match
– Share flashcards with classmates (if you’re a student) or your students (if you’re a teacher)
– Listen to your material pronounced correctly in 18 languages
– Enhance your studying with custom images and audio

4. Set a Schedule. If your students do not set aside specific times to study then, more than likely, time will slip by with little or no studying taking place. When setting a schedule, break up assignments into time increments that are doable and that allow for on-time (or early) completion. Be sure to highlight important deadlines and test dates. Set aside a liberal amount of time to be used exclusively for studying and for homework. The time set aside need not be one block of time. If a student has time in the morning, afternoon, and/or evening, several blocks of time can be set aside. Using a white board to write down the student’s schedule creates a visual reminder for the student while allowing the parent to be aware of whether the student is sticking to the schedule, or not. Online calendars are also great for setting up schedules because reminders and alarms can be put in place, ensuring the student’s awareness of the schedule, avoiding missed deadlines.

5. Prioritize. Students need to be intentional about scheduling time to study and time to complete assignments. If your students are not self-disciplined, then they may need to be held accountable for their time and if that is the case, withholding privileges until work is complete may be adequate motivation. Work first, then play.

With intention, good study habits can be learned, time can be managed, and as a result, stress will be lessened.

TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE! Important Dates for Seniors and Juniors

Posted on by patweso

Let’s talk about the FAFSA for seniors and the PSAT for juniors!

The FAFSA is a free application for Federal student aid. Most colleges use the information from the FAFSA to determine the financial aid amount each student will receive. The Pell Grant, Federal loan amounts, and work study qualification is determined by the financial information provided by the family on the FAFSA. In years past, this form was not filled out until January of a student’s senior year. That has changed, and now October 1st is the first day of the students’ senior year that the form can be filled out. The parent(s) and the students each have an ID they use to sign in so that the form can be completed. They cannot share the same user name and password.

TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE: There is no penalty if you fill out the form at a later time but, because there are certain scholarships that are awarded on a first-come-first-serve basis (and certain funds are limited), you will want your senior students’ FAFSA completed on October 1st or soon after. The FAFSA will ask for income from the previous year. If you are filling out the FAFSA this academic year, you will report your family’s income from 2018.

WARNING: There is an option to have the IRS import the information from your tax return and, although this makes filling out the form easier to do, you may want to input your information manually if you rolled over an IRA, bought or sold stocks, or had a job change.

The FAFSA determines your EFC (expected family contribution). The EFC is an index number the colleges use to determine how much financial aid your student is entitled to receive. It is used to determine Pell Grant amounts, work study opportunities, and subsidized loan amounts.

Even if you do not plan to accept any Federal funds or take out loans, most colleges use the information provided by the FAFSA (the EFC) when awarding financial aid and, for that reason, the FAFSA needs to be filled out. There are one or two colleges that are an exception to this expectation.

In addition to filling out the FAFSA during your students’ senior year, you will want your students to begin applying to their top colleges of choice. Some colleges offer opportunities that are only offered during the students’ senior year of high school. Bryan College hosts a scholarship event each semester for qualified seniors who have been accepted to Bryan College. Each participant has an academic interview and receives another $1,000 to $3,000 based on that interview. At one of the events an essay contest is included and one winner receives four years of tuition. There are state grants in Tennessee that seniors may be awarded, if qualified, but knowing about and applying for at least one of those awards early in the senior year is advised. Check with the colleges to which your students are applying, and find out about the grants offered in your state early in your students’ senior year (or before) so that you do not miss out on any of the opportunities that are time sensitive.

For juniors, you will want them to take the PSAT because the scores from that test determine National Merit Scholarships (NMS). Even a semi-finalist will receive four years of tuition at Bryan College. The test is offered in October and it is a very affordable test. Students in 9th and 10th grades can take the PSAT (if they can find a location that allows their participation), but the scores will not be counted towards the NMS. Two changes have taken place this year. Because of COVID, and the resulting protocols, homeschooled students are having a difficult time finding a location where their students can take the PSAT. Before you are too discouraged, the College Board has added a January PSAT date! If your students cannot take the test in October or January, then they can take the SAT and use a code to have that test count as the PSAT. The NMS is determined state by state, according to the number of students taking the test in each state. Students with disabilities may be eligible for accommodations, but the time it takes to process a request is lengthy, so plan ahead.

Although, not as time sensitive as the PSAT, juniors should begin narrowing down their college choices in order to plan visits to the campus and to find out what will be required for admission. They will also want to find out if their colleges of choice have time sensitive scholarship opportunities, if scholarships stack, if the college requires a college exam score for admission, or if they are test optional. The CLT is a newer college exam that over 200 Christian colleges accept. Because the CLT is an online test, this test has been offered virtually during the time when COVID protocols shut down both the SAT and the ACT. For this reason there are more colleges, including secular colleges, accepting scores from the CLT. Bryan College is test optional at this time. Students are being accepted and awarded scholarships based on their GPA, instead of a test score. Test optional does not mean test blind. If your students have a test score that will qualify them for more scholarship awards than their GPA, then submit the test score.

Seniors, get the FAFSA filled out and apply to top college choices. Juniors, find a location to take the PSAT and begin narrowing down your college choices. Your college planning experience will go better if you are prepared ahead to take advantage of available opportunities and requirements.

Choosing Curriculum: A Guide to Planning for Elementary, Middle and High School Students

Posted on by patweso

Whether you are new to homeschooling or you have been homeschooling for a while with students moving up to another level, this article will provide guidelines to consider when making plans for your students.

Although the suggestions I make in this article are general and eclectic, it may be worth your while to take a look at the multiple styles and methods of homeschooling. You may be surprised at the many choices and philosophies available for your consideration. There is no right or wrong choice. You may try out one style only to discover it is not the best fit for your family. In the end, you may find the best plan is to pick and choose from various styles in order to design a plan that works for you and your family.  Two books that will encourage you in your homeschooling journey are Teaching from Rest: A Homeschooler’s Guide to Unshakable Peace by Sarah McKenzie and Mere Motherhood by Cindy Rollins.

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

For elementary students, keep it simple and keep it fun. Creating a love of learning is the key to raising students who are academically successful. Do not worry about curriculum. It is available for your use, but you have done well teaching your children from birth to age 5 without curriculum, so if you want to continue in the same manner, jerry-wang-0qmXPnZKeLU-unsplashgo for it! The freedom and flexibility of homeschooling allows you to plan your students’ experiences around their learning style and their interests. If you do purchase a curriculum and it is not working the way you envisioned, feel free to set it aside, sell it, or give it away. Do not become enslaved to curriculum. If you feel a need to make purchases then purchase Legos, critical thinking games, a globe and maps, and fun items that inspire the imagination. During the younger years, a huge emphasis should be placed on reading aloud, enjoying nature, having discussions, and playing games. Go on fieldtrips. Visit museums, science centers, and zoos. Oftentimes, the cost of an annual family membership is not much more than the cost of a one-day visit, and many zoos and museums have reciprocal memberships! Involve your children in meal planning and grocery shopping. Reach out to your community and volunteer for opportunities to serve that allow your children to participate. Encourage your students to ask questions, and then guide them towards learning how to find the answers to their questions. No one can know everything, but students who learn how to find the answers to their questions become independent learners, allowing parents the luxury of not worrying about whether their students will succeed academically, or be left behind. Look for an upcoming article with specifics on how to encourage inquisitiveness and how to teach your students to find answers from reliable resources! When you have a few minutes, listen to Sir Ken Robinson’s Ted Talk on How Schools Kill Creativity.

MIDDLE SCHOOL

Although planning for middle school is not quite as important as the high school years, parents should begin getting serious about their students’ academic studies. During the elementary years you have, hopefully, instilled in your children a love of learning as well as having equipped them with the ability to find answers to their questions. The middle school years are challenging because of the physiological changes that start taking place and those changes often result in undesired attitudes surfacing. Expediting an academic plan may be fraught with the need to address character issues. Be sure you address the character issues. If you need to set aside academics in order to restore relationships or repair damage done by students who are acting out, do so. Do not be afraid to have non-negotiable parental mandates, but explain to your students the reasoning behind the decisions and alex-michaelsen-4jcZiXH63fM-unsplashdirections you pursue. They do not have to understand or agree with your decisions, but your students should be required to respond respectfully to you (and to others).

In addition to teaching your students how to answer questions, middle school is a great time to encourage students to question answers, but to do so respectfully. (Are you seeing a correlation to middle school and character issues?) If you have already lived through the middle school years you may chuckle at the advice to encourage your students to question answers because that tends to be natural for middle school students. They tend to question everything, particularly rules and expectations set forth by parents. Avoid answering with, “Because I said so,” if possible. You will gain respect if you take the time to share your heart and, even if your students are not mature enough to understand or agree with your explanation, they are apt to be less frustrated than they would be otherwise. Now that character issues have been addressed, let’s talk about subjects to cover.

Math: During middle school make sure your students have a firm understanding of basic math facts so that they will be adequately prepared to be introduced to algebra and geometry in high school. Being able to multiple mentally, whether by memorizing the times table or using another method to achieve that result, is imperative. Knowing how to divide without using a calculator is also important. Understanding percentages and fractions is equally important to having a firm foundation for higher level math classes.

English: In high school your student should begin writing essays so while in middle school introduce your students to simple writing assignments such as book reports, short stories, testimonies, and more. Continue to read aloud, but assign great literature to be read by your students as well. You may find your students are willing to read more if they are allowed to read the biographies found in the juvenile section of the library. Rather than reading one biography that is over 200-300 pages long, your student can read five or six, or more, biographies that are of much shorter length. There are many resources for literature-driven curriculum.

History: I was that student who thought history was the most boring subject on the planet until I began homeschooling my students and discovered historical fiction! Reading books that brought history to life led me to have a deep love for history! Introduce your students to history through literature or through unit studies! For American history, the House of Winslow series is very historically accurate. If your students are reading biographies, then chances are they may want to further pursue information about the period of history being covered by the biography they are reading. With one of my sons (who loves history), we went through the Timetables of History (a chronological record of history from the beginning of written records) and when something sparked further interest, we looked up videos and articles pertaining to that event. For those looking for a literature-based history curriculum, TruthQuest may be just what you need.

Science: Because your student will be taking biology and chemistry in high school, the middle school years should include an introduction to basic science that includes life, earth, and physical science. If you are going for a more literature based approach, include biographies of great scientists. One of my favorite books to read aloud is Carry On Mr. Bowditch. Books about George Washington Carver were enjoyed as well. As far as text books go, many families choose to use Apologias books for science.

Electives: In addition to the basics, you may choose to add in any number of electives from physical education to music, foreign language, leadership, religions and worldviews, shop, cooking, or anything else that particularly interests your students.

group of people sitting on stairs

HIGH SCHOOL

Now is definitely the time to make specific plans for your students. Although you will have some flexibility, in order to ensure that your students are adequately prepared for life after high school, it is important to plan ahead. Be sure you prepare your students for college, whether they think they need college, or not. It is better to be prepared and not need it, than vice versa. I wrote an blog post that will help you avoid eight common mistakes that homeschooling parents make. If your students have no idea what they want to pursue after high school, help them discover their gifts, talents, and passions. Narrow down top college choices so you can find out what is expected from those colleges as far as admission requirements, transcript expectations, and scholarship potential. Feel free to download The Journey, a free e-resource that will help you plan ahead.

Transcripts: Although most states have suggested guidelines for high school graduation, there are no set-in-stone laws, so you have the freedom to plan according to what’s best for your student. The expectation is that a four-year high school transcript will include 22 to 24 credits. Most states expect a student to take at least 3 math classes, 3 or 4 English classes,  3 science classes (with at least 2 labs), 3 social studies, ½ credit for personal finance, 1 or 2 physical education credits, 2 foreign language credits, and the remainder as electives. Some states are more rigorous while others are more flexible but, again, these are guidelines and not mandates. Be aware that as flexible as you are allowed to be from a homeschooling point-of-view, you may find particular colleges have requirements that your student must fulfill in order to attend that college. For this reason, narrowing down college choices is vital to planning the courses for your students. Some homeschooling families have their students take a 5th year of high school and, believe it or not, colleges will accept a 5 year transcript from homeschooled students.

Curriculum: When I began homeschooling (in the 1980s) our curriculum choices were very limited. That is not the case today. There are online programs that are totally free (Easy Peasy and Kahn Academy are two programs often recommended) and there are many programs that can be purchased. There are textbooks available for every subject imaginable and there are products galore for the students who prefer learning without textbooks whether that is with CDs, videos, or with real books.

Course Selection: It is presumed that your student will take English, math, science, and social studies. Most state guidelines suggest two years of the same foreign language, although there are colleges that do not have that requirement. If you know what major your student will pursue, you can better plan which courses to choose. For instance, students who plan to become engineers should take as many math and science classes as possible while in high school. If your students show a particular interest in a subject, then have them take classes pertaining to that subject in order to confirm or refute that interest. If your students have no idea what they want to do after high school, then provide a well-rounded high school experience while trying to nail down a plan for after high school. My next article will include suggestions for helping your children discover their gifts, interests, and passions.

Beyond the Basics: Although we have all been conditioned to believe that including the classes mentioned above are sufficient for a proper education, I would like to suggest that there are classes worth considering that are equally (if not more) important to a well rounded education. Taking classes in current events, speech and debate, apologetics, logic, entrepreneurship and personal finance are classes that will help prepare your students for life after high school whether that includes college, or not. One of my regrets is not having my students involved in debate clubs until the 5th child (of 9) was in high school.  Once I became aware of the skills gained being involved in a debate club (there are at least three Christian homeschool debate leagues), my students were required to participate in a debate club for at least one year.

Books:  To help plan for the high school years read Celebrate Highschool: Finish with Excellence and More Than Credits: Skills Highschoolers Need for Life both written by Cheryl Bastain.

Test Prep. Because COVID has disrupted the ability for colleges to require test scores for admission and scholarships, many colleges are now test-optional. Whether these colleges will remain test-optional is yet to be known. Before COVID, the highest scholarships were awarded to students with high test scores (ACT, SAT and/or CLT). For that reason, spending time and money on your students so that they could adequately prepare for these tests and, taking the tests multiple times in order to raise their scores, was essential to families needing scholarships for their students (and, to be honest, most of us need all the financial help we can get). At this time, GPAs are being used by test-optional colleges when test scores are not available. For that reason, your students should be encouraged to achieve high grades even if that means repeating classes with poor grades.

Dual Enrollment. Taking college-level classes is a win/win for students who are ready and able to pass college-level classes. Not only will your students receive both high school and college credit, but one college class is usually counted as a full high school credit, meaning your students will earn a year’s worth of high school credit in one semester. This will either allow your student to graduate early or to continue taking college classes during high school. Dual enrollment is free in several states, discounted in some states and, oftentimes, discounted by the college. Bryan College offers dual enrollment classes on line four times a year with a $200 scholarship for out-of-state students and, for Tennessee students, the same scholarship is offered once the state DE grant is used. In fact, a Tennessee student can take 30 credit hours with Bryan College for as little as $600 if the student uses the DE grant, the school scholarship and the HOPE. As wonderful as the dual enrollment opportunity is for high school students, it is not without dangers.

As you make plans for your students’ academic future, take comfort in knowing that you have both the freedom and the flexibility to make adjustments as needed in order to improve your students’ homeschooling experience. There is no black-and-white, or right-or-wrong way to do this. Plan, pray, talk to friends, and research options and everything will eventually come together!

Matt and able at graduation

Engineering with a Missional Emphasis

Posted on by patweso

Engineer postersAs I travel to college fairs and conferences, sharing Bryan College with homeschooled students, one of the often requested majors I hear students ask for is engineering. Two years ago when Bryan College announced the addition of an engineering school, I was thrilled. When our department was introduced to Dr. Marshall, the new Chair of the engineering school, I became even more excited about this program. Why? Because Dr. Marshall, being aware that engineers are able to get into places all over the world, even places that are often closed to Christians, has a heart for “missional engineering” (a term he may have coined). His vision for missional engineering is quite contagious.

Bryan College’s engineering school is a biblically based, grounded and personalized academic experience. Bryan is doing something atypical here. The course  created entitled “Engineering the Great Commission” is an example of the emphasis on missional engineering.  Bryan is integrating everything in a serious and meaningful way as students are being prepared for the kingdom work. Bryan offers a Bachelors of Science in Engineering (BSE) degree which provides flexibility for the student by offering several concentration areas including: civil engineering, mechanical engineering, biological engineering, computor engineering, chemical engineering, environmental engineering and even business engineering!

Being able to speciate within that program in multiple directions will be advantageous to the engineering students. For now, Bryan College is focusing on civil, mechanical, engineering- rulercomputer science and bio-medical concentrations. Tailoring those concentrations for individual students, Bryan will actually offer course work credit for internship experiences so the students can work with engineering professions in the field in an area that dovetails with their concentration.

Combining an individualized curriculum while working alongside experienced seasoned engineers will enhance the student’s academic coursework.  For instance, if students are interested in designing prosthetic devices, they take the bachelors of science engineering core along with bio-medical concentration classes and then they actually work in a bio-medical setting, working on a project to design prostheses. This all comes together in the student’s degree.

The genius of this program is its breadth. The universe is the possibility. We offer the best academic core possible, using the same textbooks as MIT.  Recognizing the diverse needs and desires of our students,  we work with students to tailor their degree to best fit their individual interests and goals.

Engineering students working in the labStudents who enjoy using their knowledge of math and science to solve problems are often successful as engineers. Students involved in robotics, STEM, Lego or Minecraft clubs are also great candidates for an engineering program. For high school students planning to major in engineering, having a strong math and science foundation is recommended. Math up to pre-cal is expected, and going beyond is suggested. In addition, having strong speaking, listening, and critical thinking skills is an advantage.

Here are a few remarks from students currently enrolled in Bryan’s Vogel School of Engineering:

What I appreciate about the engineering department at Bryan College is the relatively small size. I prefer one-on-one relationships and small groups as opposed to large crowds. I also appreciate the biblical approach to engineering. The fact that I am surrounded by like-minded people who truly love God is something incredibly special and I wouldn’t give it up for anything.

bryan engineering awardI love that this is a starting program. Being a part of the first class and getting to help shape the program for the years to come is very exciting and encouraging to me. Then there’s the faculty. The faculty at Bryan College in general, and specifically the engineering program faculty, are so genuinely invested in our education, character as a whole, spiritual life and future that anyone who is a part of it cannot help but feel supported and encouraged. Being in engineering school is intimidating. It is such a demanding field, but knowing I have godly leaders surrounding me that will set me up for my future in the best way they know how, again, brings that peace that only can come from God.

For more information about Bryan College’s School of Engineering, go to this link.