college

Wellness 101: Helping Your Child Build Intrinsic Motivation

We have all struggled with motivation at some point in our lives—from accessing it to get a task done to maintaining its momentum over time. As a result, one of the most challenging aspects of being a parent is knowing how to constructively motivate your child, academically or otherwise.  Many parents use external motivation to … Read more

In Support of Paper Planners and Schools That Utilize Them!

In our Green Ivy offices, we see how valuable it is for students to write down all their assignments, activities, and appointments in a paper planner. For many students, this simple habit helps them stay organized and also relieves stress, as they can better problem-solve around managing their time. For instance, if a student has … Read more

Tips for Admission to the California State University (CSU) System

The California State University (CSU) application is straightforward. Still, consider this list of background information and tips while navigating through the CSU application: Similar to the UC system, the CSU application has a single application system for ALL 23 CSU campuses. Students need the following to apply: In the application portal, scroll down to locate … Read more

The Art of Preparation: How to Stay Productive When Nothing Is Due Tomorrow

At Green Ivy, we encourage our students to deliberately schedule two-hour daily “work blocks” dedicated to homework and studying. By blocking out productive periods ahead of time, students can assert control over their growing responsibilities. Those who use a paper planner consistently, for example, tend to benefit from increased productivity, sharpened time management skills, and … Read more

Advising 101: How To Handle the Waitlist

It’s spring, and admissions decisions are rolling in! For most seniors, this is an exciting and nerve-wracking time to sort through acceptances and rejections, not to mention what happens in one of the most vexing admissions situations: a spot on the waitlist.  If you’re no longer interested in a school that has put you on … Read more

Letters of Recommendation: A Key Aspect of Your College Applications

Students spend countless hours perfecting every part of their college applications–showcasing grades, test scores, and carefully choosing words in their essays. But there’s one critical piece that feels out of their control: letters of recommendation.  For many private colleges and some public universities, letters of recommendation can be an important outside perspective of a student’s … Read more