Book Review: ACT Prep by Magoosh

As a high school librarian, I am always on the lookout for books and resources (in all media types) that will help students. The resources are many and varied so I need to assess, evaluate, select and communicate to students, and those who teach and care for them, the media, technology and information that will support their academic standings, college pathways and help them build skills for lifelong learning.

There is no one rule of thumb in this venture considering that students learn in different ways, styles and modalities. It is very important, thus, to have an array of resources, materials and services at the library's disposal to address student needs.

One specific need of high school students is preparation for college or "college prep" as our high school kids call it. This is a big deal for many students since the main goal of their high school education is to get in a university of their choice and one that best fit their talents, skills and competencies. It is a preparation that begins in kindergarten, in an ideal world. Such is not the case for all. So, help must be on the way at all times!

When I received an email to review a college prep handbook and guide in taking entrance exams for college acceptance, I was keenly interested. This may prove a worthy resources for our college counselors, senior high school teachers and our parents. Let me share with you the five wonderful things I discovered about ACT Prep by Magoosh.

1. It is written by a team of educators. Their names and credentials are in the introductory page for authorial presentation. SOP, yes but you would get the idea that learning is collaborative. The high school student who will use the guide and handbook is in the care of teachers who know how to work with others.

2. The language used to explain ACT prep, tips and strategies is very conversational, casual and easy to understand. The thought of taking a college admission test is reason for great anxiety. Reading this guide/handbook eases the worry by offering realistic tips, strategies and advice.

3. The content offers the reader a complete process of the college prep journey for the high school student in whatever grade or level he or she is at. It has text exercises and practice sheets in English, Reading, Writing, Math and Science.

4. The guide/handbook inspires independent learning, goal setting and discipline. There is a chapter that discuss and shows how goals and objectives can be met when taking tests, exams and applying for college. This may prove helpful for students whose intrinsic motivation is innate, but the counselor may need to come in for students who need more explicit ways of approaching college preps.

5. ACT Prep has many platforms of access and learning. It does not end with the ebook. Visit the website at Magoosh.

Now, I am off to share this news (not only to you, my dear readers) to our college counselors!

Young Adult Library Services: College Talks at the Library

College talks kicked off a few weeks ago in campus.

Our college guidance counselor's favorite venue for college talks is the library. I take this opportunity to collaborate with her by displaying books about college readiness and writing college essays and letters of applications. It helps that our college counselor loves books and reads a lot too! She does not only see the library as a physical space to be used for events.

This simple plan to encourage students to read was hatched a year ago. We both saw the relevance of reading books and how this can greatly help in writing essays. The other aspect of writing like outlining, organization, use of language is being handled by the Language Arts teachers. So, we support each other so that our students are not lost out to sea. This is how we do things in the Beacon Academy.

By putting on display books that matter to our high school students, the library's role as a reosurce center is up on the plate. This way, students can see and preview books to support them on the task of choosing colleges and applying for one. More so, writing that essay! I also whipped up a list of recommended books on the said topic. Apparently, two books were picked out from the display shelf! It works!

Recommended list of books on College Application and Essay Writing

A follow through on this library service would be to lead students and the guidance counselor to World Book Online's Life Skills web portal where young adults can access information on personal financial management, looking for a dorm or boarding house, planning for life after high school, preparing for interviews and considering a gap year. Again, timing is of the essence because using resources need to be strategically planned.


Abangan!