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Message from the Principal
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Teresa Salafrio
COHS Principal
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5 Tips for Reaching Your Goals
Yogi Berra, a Baseball Hall of Fame catcher and 10-time World Series Champion, once said, "If you don't know where you are going, you'll end up someplace else." In school and in life, if you don't set goals for yourself, it's hard to accomplish much. Since September is thought of as a "back to school" month, it's is a good time to set goals for yourself or reevaluate goals that you previously set.
Below are some tips for both setting and reaching your goals.
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Set goals that are attainable. You want to stretch to achieve your goals, but do not set them so high that they cannot be achieved. |
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Break your goals into small steps. For example, one of your goals is to earn your high school diploma. Break that into small parts and look at what you are going to do each day to get you one step closer to achieving that overall goal. |
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Accept that there may be setbacks. There will be times when things that you did not expect get in the way. Do not see this as a reason to stop aiming toward your goal. Reevaluate and move forward. In the end you will feel great, having achieved the goal even through challenging times! |
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Be realistic. If you only put in 5 hours a week on your school work, you cannot expect to finish at a fast pace. |
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Ask for help. Whether your goal is related to school or some other aspect of your life, do not be afraid to ask someone to assist you, whether it is your Academic Coach, a family member, friend or coworker. |
Yogi Berra achieved the fame that he did by setting goals and staying focused on what it took to reach those goals. You can achieve your goals by doing the same thing. Keep your eye on the prize! I wish all of you the best of luck as you continue your studies at Career Online High School!
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| Join Our Online Webinars & Seminars |
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| Don't forget to check the School Calendar for upcoming webinars, seminars, and special events! |
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Calling All Writers!
Submissions Wanted! |
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| We are looking to publish student-written features in our next newsletter. Whether you have an article, a story, a poem, or any other ideas—you name it, we want it! Send your submission to your Academic Coach.
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William Fernandez
Student
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Student Spotlight
William Fernandez
"This program means a lot to me, it's giving me the opportunity to be able to go back and fulfill my high school diploma. I feel that this program has opened a new chapter in my life with a better education."
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Kimberly Sher
Academic Coach
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Coach's Corner
Sharing the Message of Hope
Career Online High School is about second chances. At COHS, every student has a story, a past, and different challenges that have prevented them from achieving the education they desire. As an Academic Coach, my role is to provide a support network for COHS students as they work toward the successful completion of their high school diplomas.
As part of my role as an Academic Coach, I have the opportunity to speak with and connect with my students every day in a real and meaningful way. The stories I hear are not so different from my own. I spoke with the single parent with two young children who is struggling to balance work, education, and family. Yes, I can empathize with that. I was a high school dropout who returned to school at 26 as a single mom of four. It was challenging, yes. But it was one of the best choices I've ever made.
I spoke with the adult who had to leave school as a teen in order to find a job and help support his family due to an ailing parent. I too dealt with similar responsibilities when I left work and cared for my terminally ill mother. I spoke with the student ready to pursue her dream of attending college wondering how to get started. I can speak to that as well. I began at community college because it was affordable and I was later able to get a scholarship to a four-year college as a result of my grades at the community college. Had it not been for that scholarship, I would not have been able to afford to continue with my education. I know what it's like to have sick children, and vividly recall sitting in the hospital studying for finals while my son recovered from major cardiac surgery.
Every day, as I speak with my students, I'm reminded of all that I've overcome in my life and how many second chances I've been fortunate enough to receive. I learned many lessons the hard way, and I hope that I can share these lessons with my students to make their paths a bit easier. Obtaining an education is not always easy, but it's about finding that balance that will allow you to progress until you succeed in reaching your goals.
I am excited knowing the opportunities that will open up for my students once they've obtained their diplomas. I understand the sense of accomplishment they feel when they have successfully completed that first course after many years away from an educational setting. We all have things in our lives that can set us back. Every day, we make choices about how we will handle obstacles in our lives. My students have made a choice to achieve their high school diplomas and make education a priority in their lives. I understand what it's like making that decision and making that commitment to not only my future, but the future of my children.
I am honored to have the chance to mentor my students and share my experiences with them, the good and the bad, in the hopes that I can help them to learn through my experiences. COHS is all about second chances and the opportunity to create a new future as a high school graduate.
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5 Study Tips for Online Classes
Taking classes online is different from taking classes in an actual classroom with a teacher and classmates. Therefore, the way in which you study and complete online courses is different as well. Below are some tips that will help you to be successful in working on your coursework.
1. Study Environment: We are all different in how we learn best. Some of us can study with background noise and others need to work in complete silence. Determine what you need to focus and in which manner you learn best. If you need a quiet setting, then set up your study areas in such a place. Also ensure that your area is well lit.
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2. Eliminating Distractions: When we think of distractions, we often think of things like the television and people around us who can distract us. However, the computer is full of distractions! Things such as instant messaging and social media can be extremely distracting when you are trying to read and take notes on a lesson in your course. When you are working on schoolwork, close the social media and put yourself in "do not disturb" mode or sign out of the instant messaging. You will get through your work a lot quicker without these distractions.
3. Time Management and Balancing Personal Obligations: Determine when you are at "your best." Some people work better first thing in the morning and others work better later on in the day. If you have responsibilities with work and children that prevent you from working until late at night, and you find that you are too tired at that time, set your alarm an hour earlier in the morning and do some schoolwork then. The most important thing is to find the time that you are most focused.
4. Setting Appointments: In addition, it is helpful to use a calendar to schedule an appointment for yourself to do your schoolwork. Write it down. If you set an appointment, you are more likely to "stick to it."
5. Questions: Everyone has questions. If you are unsure of something, call your Academic Coach.
Remember that in an online course, you get what you give. If you dedicate the time to it, you will be successful in the course and in the entire program. Use these study tips to set yourself up for success!
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