I hope you are excited to start your new journey with this learning program. I know that in secondary school you can feel overwhelmed at all the homework and assignments that you get. This is all perfectly normal. This program is here to help you with your organisation, planning and revising strategies so you can learn in an efficient way.
I have now learned that when you do your revision, it is important to think about the desirable difficulties and to quiz yourself. You might be wondering what I’m talking about, but that’s perfectly fine. You will understand once you start the program. I've noticed a significant improvement in my subjects, particularly in maths—from scoring a 3 [out of 7] on one test to achieving a 7 on the next.
I think it was a good Idea to join this program because it helped me a lot on grades and taught me a lot about revision strategies, how to revise for a test and how to make your work the best it can be. If you were to compare an assignment from the beginning of Year 7 to now in Year 8, you'd see that my work appears more professional, addresses all the questions, and meets more of the criteria. I now feel much less stressed before a test and am prepared for any assignment or exam.
My calendar may not be your way of planning assignments, but I’m sure you’ll find your own method in the programme, as the number of techniques available is countless. I’ve discovered many new approaches to revising, such as Cornell Notes, 4 Column charts, Foldable revision, and apps and websites that test me on my chosen topic. I’m still exploring many more techniques that will help me achieve better grades over time. It definitely took me a while to adjust to this learning style, as I’ve never experienced such specific support in my academic studies. However, I can assure you that after some time, you will feel much more confident and comfortable in your learning.
The most valuable skill I’ve acquired and still working on is that of becoming an independent and confident learner, which I will carry thorough and benefit from for my entire life. I think by joining the programme it will allow you to take a step forward and you’ll be surprised how much it will help you enhancing and planning your work. I hope you’ll find your strategy by joining this programme.
It took a while adjusting to using a variety of different strategies and making sure I’m fully revising, but as I started to get used to attending lessons every week I started realising that I need this help with my work and that in the long term it would help me do my best in school. I have made progress in school through new habits, like revising each day or using the 10-Step Writing Process or my Planning Calendar.
Maybe your parents convinced you to do this programme, so I want you to remember that this is going to be helping you for the long run. And that when you have exams in high school you will start seeing your lessons as an advantage. Trust me when I say that you are going to feel way more confident that you have revised daily and that you already have all your notes so that you don’t have to make them later on.
The moment I really understood the benefits of the programme was before my history exam and thinking about the best possible way that I could revise, so I drew all my notes. Drawing maps and my personalised characters for international disputes allowed me to remember and describe the whole topic based on the pictures. This resulted in me getting full marks in my exam. I thought taking IB Diploma Programme History, an essay-based subject including lots of reading and writing would be challenging, but my newfound approach limited the wordy text allowing me to learn rather than memorise the content.
You do have to be independent and find that confidence in yourself. You will learn how to be able to adapt yourself to challenges and be aware of yourself. After experimenting and finding revision strategies that work for me, tailoring different approaches to different subjects, now I am prioritising time management while also being aware of adapting strategies if I feel they don’t work anymore. Being able to create plans and deadlines for myself has enabled to provide me with the best opportunities for the MYP, IB and the best learning outcomes that I will take on with me to university next year and in my daily life.
Being dyslexic, I always had a certain perception of myself from a young age that I would never be able to see myself as a high achiever, let alone be a high achiever. It was only through this programme that I have been able to grow and get to the place I never thought I would be. But what I have been able to take the most away has been my development and my own course that I am still on and will continue to be on for the rest of my life.
I’m really not sure how we could ever repay you for the faith you showed in [our daughter] and your expertise that helped her blossom into a confident young woman. I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say that working with you has profoundly impacted her life, and we owe you a debt of gratitude we probably can never repay. She walked into secondary school feeling like the ‘kid in the stupid class’, but she walks out as a confident young woman who has mastered her dyslexia, knows what she wants, how to get it, and possesses a fierce will to work. I know she is primarily to praise for that transformation, but she could not have done it without your continuing guidance and expert support.
We are grateful every day she happened to meet you. From a couple of parents who think she is the greatest, we just wanted to say thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Can’t believe we are here.
I just wanted to drop you a quick line to let you know [my daughter] is doing great. She has joined a sorority at Emory and seems to have a good group of friends. I was getting ready to have a talk with her about focusing on her education and not just going to parties - but then her grades came out -- straight A's again! (So no talk...:)) It seems whatever she is doing, it is working. More importantly, beyond her academic success, she seems really happy - which, in the grand scheme of things, is what matters most.
She told her grandmother that one of the reasons she excels in school compared to her friends is that she knows how to study effectively, which I know she learned from you. So again, thank you very much!