[End of Semester Tips]: Tip #1 - Set some GOALS


Eek! It's the end of the semester! 

I will be posting a series of five [End of Semester Tips] to help you FINISH STRONG. 

Tip #1: Set some GOALS

I chose the above image to help illustrate the important features of proper goal setting. It's one thing to say "I want to pass", it's quite another to set reasonable, attainable, and specific goals. 

As you set out to wrap up your classes, use the "SMART" acronym to guide your goal setting. 

S - Specific: Make a list of the specific classes you are planning to pass. Or, if you're already passing everything, make a specific list of which classes you want to revisit and maybe redo some work to increase your grade. Whatever your goal is, make it specific. If it is specific, then you can know when it has been achieved.  

M - Measurable: Most of the end of semester goals will come with their own measure...your report card! But, if your goal isn't grade related, you may need to measure it in a different way. Some examples: "Complete all 5 discussions that I skipped throughout the semester" or "Redo my math assignment until I raise the score to 70% or higher". It's important that a goal has measurement so you know you have met it! 

A - Attainable: Be careful to choose a goal that is realistic. Now is not the time to take a grade of 11% up to an A. Focus on the places where you can make a real change in the short amount of time we have left. So, make the goal specific, measurable, and possible to attain. 

R - Relevant: Make sure that your goal is relevant to finishing the semester at school. Examples of relevant goals (that also meet the above criteria!): "Raise  my Science grade from a 52% to a passing grade of 60% or higher by completing the remaining 7 assignments in the course." or "Redo the 'Required to Pass' assignment in History to achieve a passing score, so I can pass the course". These goals are relevant to the end of the semester. They are also specific and can be measured. And they are attainable! An example of a non-relevant goal? "Beating my sister at Trivia Crack" :)

T - Time Bound: Luckily this one is kind of taken care of for you...the end of the semester is our time limit. It is an important practice in goal setting to have a time limit set. We all know how procrastination works...so setting a time goal can help you achieve! 

Check back over the next weeks for my series of [End of Semester Tips]! And as always, contact your BlueSky Student Services Advisor and your individual teachers for help! 

Anonymous

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[Re-Post]: Creating a Home Work Space!

Get ready to spend hours scouring Pinterest....


Creating a Home Work Space


One of the most important needs for an online learner, is a PLACE to work. Sure, students have the computing device that they use for their school work...but where they use that device is also important. 

Online teachers, advisors, and counselors also have to create their own work space in their homes. Here is a picture of my "office". It's a desk in the corner of our family room. It's kind of messy...sorry about that!!


A few elements of a productive workspace (which mine hits the mark on!) are: 
  • Find the perfect space: It's important that your work station is relatively free from distraction. Choose to work in a quiet room, instead of in the middle of the kitchen at dinnertime. 
  • Organize!: Although my desk is a little messy....there's a method to that mess! Make sure that you have an organization to your work. Order increases productivity. 
  • Make it pretty: Well...maybe not "pretty"...but make your work space somewhere that you want to work. Decorate with things that are inspirational or motivational for you. 
  • Create a schedule: Did you see my blog post A 'Bag of Tricks' for Scheduling your School Work? The post offers a number of ideas to help you organize your school day. Create a schedule for yourself and POST IT in your workspace. It will help you stay focused! 
Having trouble coming up with some ideas? Seriously...look at Pinterest!!! It's ridiculous what inspiration you can find. 

A happy workspace creates a happy (and successful!) learner! 

Go forth and decorate! 

Anonymous

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[Re-Post]: Students and STRESS: Tips on how to deal!

A 2010 study by the American Psychological Association found that one-fifth of children worry a great deal.
That's 20% of kids!! 

Stress is the reaction to the demands placed on us, and kids these days have a lot of demands.

School, sports, extracurricular activities, community and church programs, homework, illness, and many more stressors are part of our students' everyday lives.


Just the sheer overscheduling that many teens deal with is enough to cause stress. Going from school, to practice, to homework, and then straight to bed, doesn't leave much time to relax, unwind, and allow for stress relief!

So, how can parents help their children deal with stress? Here are few strategies:


  • Stop the over scheduling! It's ok to not be on every sports team. It's ok to not have an after school activity every day of the week! Leave some free time for kids to relax and let off some steam. 
  • Get some rest! The National Sleep Foundation has found that most teens need 9.25 hours of sleep per night to be able to perform at their best. Make sleep a priority! 
  • Eat your veggies! Nutrition is a huge factor in the stress level of teens. The rollercoaster that a diet high in sugar and processed foods can cause, increases stress levels immensely. Avoiding sugar and caffeine also means avoiding the crash that can come from such foods. Remember what Michael Pollan says "Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants."
  • Talk about it! Kids learn by watching their parents. So parents should model how they deal with stress effectively in front of their kids. And parents and kids should talk about stressful situations.  

The students at BlueSky Online are very lucky. Not only do they have their parents to help them with stress, each student also has a three-person team looking out for them! The Students Services Advisor, Social Worker, and Counselor that make up the three-person teams are all ready and able to help students with their stress level. 

As a Student Services Advisor, helping students deal with stress is part of my every day. 

Students: Are you feeling stressed? Reach out to your parents and your Student Services Advisor! 

And make sure to eat your veggies and go to bed on time :) 

Anonymous

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[MCA Testing]: Test Taking Strategies!


Feeling nervous about taking the MCA Tests?


Here are a few tips and information that can help you do your best while completing the assessment.
  • This assessment is not timed
  • Take your time
  • Read each question carefully
  • Pay attention to detail
  • Always read the whole question-don’t assume what the question might be
  • Read all possible answers
  • Follow directions carefully
  • When choosing a multiple choice answer, eliminate answers you know are incorrect first
  • Focus on the question in front of you
  • Keep a positive attitude
  • Try to stay relaxed
  • If you feel yourself getting nervous or anxious, take a few deep breaths
  • Finally, Do your best!
Follow these assessment taking strategies and you will do great!

Anonymous

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[MCA Testing]: Test Info!!!

MCA Test Information! 

BlueSky English Teacher, Matt Schempp, shares some important MCA test information in these two videos. 

Take a minute to watch them! 

Improving your MCA scores is not only good for you, but it's good for the school. 

Show your BLUESKY ONLINE PRIDE!! 

MCA Test Format



 What is the MCA Test? 

Anonymous

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[MCA Testing]: Calming your Test Anxiety!


Nervous about the MCA Tests?

Here are some tips to help with Assessment Anxiety:
  • Get a good night's sleep before the test.
  • Eat a healthy breakfast. 


  • Wear comfortable clothes in layers, so you can adjust your clothing to the temperature in the room.
  • Leave early for the test location, so you have plenty of time to find where to park, etc.
  • Use a calculator for the math test that you always use, not a new one.
  • Have the materials you need next to you like pencils, a calculator, snack and drink.
  • Turn off your cell phone and any other distractions.


  • Take several deep breaths.
  • Close your eyes and picture something that calms you down.




You will do great! 

Anonymous

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BlueSky Online!!!



Check out this story that Insight 7 has made a promotional video supporting BlueSky Online! 

Check it out here!!! 



BlueSky from Town Square Television on Vimeo.

Anonymous

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Show Your BlueSky Pride! The School Store is OPEN!




The BlueSky school store is now open!  Students, parents and staff can buy school apparel until April 22 when the store will close.  This is the perfect chance for graduating seniors to get something to remember their time at BlueSky.  



Shipping is free for all orders that are sent to the BlueSky office (33 E. Wentworth Ave, West St. Paul, MN 55118).  Make sure to indicate on the order form that you want it shipped to the Main Office and fill in BlueSky’s address.  We will contact you when the order arrives so you will know when to pick up your items.

Also - a free gift will be included in the first 50 orders!


Anonymous

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