May 2019: 11th Grade
MDHS Counseling Newsletter
MD Juniors
Check out our upcoming events and reminders for the month of May!
Make sure to take care of yourself as we head into the end of the semester. If you need any help with your classes, know that your counselors and teachers are here to support.
5/6 - 5/17: AP Exams, Counseling Office Closed
5/28/-5/31: Course Requests Available on Aeries Student Portal
5/28/-5/31: Final Exams
Read this helpful article in The Scarlet Scroll, which shares how MD "Students use creative strategies to study for finals": http://thescarletscroll.com/6630/news/campus-life/how-students-prepare-for-finals-week/
Refresh for Finals
Please see the following tips for studying/relaxing around finals, written by the University Health Services at Cal (https://uhs.berkeley.edu/refreshforfinals).
Final exams can generate a considerable degree of stress. Many students experience stress and test anxiety as they prepare for final exams. Take time to figure out how to effectively manage your stress so that you can perform well academically.
Stress Management
Stress is your body's mental, emotional and physical response to changes and challenges in (your) daily life. Stress can be positive - such as helping you concentrate and focus - or negative - such as causing anxiety and excessive worrying.
Relaxation Techniques
- 10-Second Breathing: Slow down your breathing to a 10-second cycle (i.e. six breaths per minute). Inhale for 5 seconds, then exhale for 5 seconds. Keep it up for a few minutes.
- 5-Minute Vacation: Close your eyes, take a few deep breaths, visualize a relaxing vacation spot and let your imagination transport you there.
- LOL: Think of something funny that happened recently and laugh out loud.
When to Study
- Study difficult or less interesting subjects first. If your problem sets put you to sleep, do them while you're fresh. Save subjects you enjoy most for later.
- Avoid marathon study sessions. When possible, study in shorter sessions as they tend to be more productive. If you do a long session, take a planned break every hour, work on different projects and avoid studying similar subjects back-to-back.
- Be aware of your best time of day. Many students learn best in daylight hours, while others are most productive at night. Observe yourself and schedule study time for your most difficult subjects when you feel the most alert and productive.
- Use waiting time. Have short study tasks ready to do during wait times (e.g. between class, in line, etc.), such as reviewing lecture notes or using 3x5 cards to quiz yourself on equations, formulas or definitions.
Where to Study
- Use a regular study area. When you use the same place to study, your body becomes trained that it's time to study when you're there and you become able to focus and concentrate more quickly.
- Don't get too comfortable. Avoid studying on your bed because this can lead to lower productivity while studying as well as insomnia while trying to sleep at night.
- Set up study groups. A study group doesn't take the place of individual study but it forces you to articulate concepts and can feel more fun and productive.
- Avoid noise distractions. Avoid your phone, the internet, TV and music while studying. While many students insist they study better with music, research actually shows that you benefit from listening to music before studying, not during.
AP Exams
Due to the exams, the counseling office will be closed during this time. You are welcome to contact your counselor by email.
2019-2020 course requests
MD Summer School
What if I Earn a D or F in a class?
It is imperative that students repeat any classes where their grades were below a "C." Students cannot receive a Mater Dei diploma with any "F" grades on their transcript. Also, students may not participate in graduation if they have 3 or more "F" grades not made up. In addition, most four-year universities will not accept "D" or "F" grades in academic subjects. If you plan to go directly from Mater Dei to a four-year university, you need to make up all "D" and "F" grades. Subjects with "D" or "F" grades may be repeated in summer school, and the better grade will be used in the GPA; colleges usually do likewise.
Summer School at Mater Dei is Monday June 17th - Friday July 19th. You can register online at: www.materdei.org/summerschool. Register by the priority registration deadline of May 31st to reserve your spot and request class periods.
Counselor Letters of Recommendation
Would you like to work on your college applications early? If you need any letters of recommendation, please consider working on your Counselor Letter of Recommendation Questionnaire now and during the summer!
You can view and save the Counselor Letter of Recommendation Questionnaire at https://4.files.edl.io/be6b/03/22/19/211857-130ae82c-9888-4202-913e-5e6a7ec4e234.pdf. Please be sure to read the instructions in the questionnaire PDF.
What is the Counselor Letter of Recommendation Questionnaire?
Just like its name, it is the questionnaire that MD students must fill out and submit if they need a letter of recommendation from their counselor. Some colleges require letters of recommendation, and some do not. Our questionnaire has a section for students and a section for parents/guardians.
When do I turn this in?
You may submit your completed questionnaire as soon as you are ready. So that your counselors can write the best recommendations, we ask that you turn in this questionnaire at least 3 weeks in advance of your first college application due date. Earlier is always appreciated, but when you are ready is just as important to us.
If you have any questions, please feel free to let your counselor know. We are here to support you!
Teacher Letters of Recommendation
To request a teacher letter of recommendation, please speak to your teacher in person first. Then, fill out the Teacher Recommendation Questionnaire. The Teacher Recommendation Questionnaire is different from the Counselor Recommendation Questionnaire, which is used for your Counselor Recommendations. The Teacher Questionnaire will assist your teachers in writing stronger recommendation letters for you, because they will be specifically addressing what you did in the classroom.
The information you provide will only be used in your letters of recommendation for college and scholarship applications. Please be as honest and thorough as possible when responding to the questions. Also, be sure to provide specific examples when applicable.
The Teacher Recommendation Questionnaire and instructions can be found here.
For Teacher Letters of Recommendation:
- Please ask your teacher at least 3 weeks in advance of your first application due date (this does not include the holidays)
- Please give your teacher a completed Teacher Recommendation Questionnaire (not your Counselor Recommendation Questionnaire)
- Teachers will not write letters of recommendation without this completed questionnaire.
- You will need to complete a separate questionnaire for each teacher.
Log in to your Naviance account for helpful college planning tools and resources.
Begin building a list of colleges that you are thinking about applying to, located in the “Colleges” section. You can also work on your resume by using the Resume Builder, located in the “About Me” section.
Mater Dei High School Counseling Department
Website: https://www.materdei.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=70016&type=d&pREC_ID=237246
Location: Mater Dei High School, 1202 W Edinger Avenue, Santa Ana, CA 92707