Disappointments and Obstacles

"I’m sorry it has taken me so long to write again, especially since it was after SATs. But this past month I was very busy with personal and educational matters. I had final exams to study for, projects, tests, worrying about my report card, helping out in school, and on top of all that I’ve had some complications with my Grandma’s health which of course puts her and her health as my top priority. 

Any who, I received the results from my SATs, after waiting about 3 weeks, and I’m sad to say I did not do as well as I wanted to. I guess I was letting the pressure of wanting to do good and the stress of over studying get to me. I’d prefer not to state my scores, but they weren’t what I wanted, so I am definitely spending my entire summer for preparing my next SAT day. This time I’ll make sure I do extravagant, enough for me to get into the colleges of my choice, especially because I have finally decided on the 7 I want to apply to. 

Of course this year brings many difficulties but I’m going to strive to keep my grades up, in order to get into the colleges of my choice. Although it’s summer I have a lot on my plate, what with AP work, college essays, soccer, my grandma, chores, and trying to enjoy my summer with friends and family. These 2 months are going to fly by but I have to make it worth it. In the end I know I’ll be fine, because in all honesty anything worse than the work is the stress and anxiety of the outcome."

-Zabby

These posts are written by Zabby Pardo Moreno, a Latina student at Manchester High School in New Jersey; a National Honor Society student pursuing her dream of getting into an Ivy League University.

Zabby's Big SAT Day!

So today was the day. I took the SATs… want to know my true opinion? They were torture, 5 hours of sitting in a small desk in William Paterson University with the room packed, equals exhausting. Once I finished I swear I heard my brain sizzle; that’s enough thinking and brain power in one day.

To be honest, the math section wasn’t as bad as I expected, it was bearable. But the reading passages were the problem and became tedious since they were practically everywhere. Overall I think I did fine. I had a goal of scoring a 1900 because most schools I want, require an 1800 but we’ll see what happens when the score comes in. But I’m thinking on the positive side; I studied my hardest all week, rested up the night before, and tried my hardest today. Hopefully it paid off, and if I don’t get the score I was looking for then I can try again in October. But when I try in October I hope to do even better after I take an SAT class maybe that will help me a little more.

For now I’m glad this torture is over and I can relax and prepare for the end of the school year. Actually I just spoke to my guidance counselor on Friday about when to start applying to college and when I should have my college essays done and I got my information. So now my next goal, start college essays over the summer. But first… I have to make it past final exams. Oh goodness!

These posts are written by Zabby Pardo Moreno, a Latina student at Manchester High School in New Jersey; a National Honor Society student pursuing her dream of getting into an Ivy League University.

Zabby's down to business: SAT studying

Hello everyone, my name is Zabrina Pardo, though to most of my friends I’m known as Zabby. This spring break has been hectic and a little overwhelming mainly because I’ve been studying for my SATs scheduled for next Saturday. I’m pretty nervous for this test; I know I have the opportunity to take it as many times as I desire but still I want to do really well right off the bat.

When you think about it, it’s a lot of pressure because my scholarships depend on these next few days. I know I need to push the studying to the edge even more. Hopefully I will do well; I just have to continue to work hard, it’ll be a relief after it’s over. One more week and I can relax from this stress.

Thinking it over, it’s crazy how my Junior year is about to end, time should slow down a little so I can continue to enjoy my high school years before they're over. I’ll try to keep you updated after my SATs! 

Thanks for reading, now back to my SAT Sunday!

[photo credit: http://www.uscollegesearch.org/

Zabby emprende su camino hacia Cornell

Les presento a Zabby Pardo-Moreno, miembro de la sociedad nacional de estudiantes con honores académicos (en Ingles es el National Honor Society), también es estudiante con altos Honores en  Manchester Regional High School, NJ. Actualmente está activa en varios grupos escolares como el consejo estudiantil, liderazgo juvenil, comité de mediación, equipo de volleyball, e InterAct, entre otros. Pero su mayor satisfacción la recibe al hacer la diferencia en el programa Make a Difference en el cual implementa actividades de diversión e inclusión para los estudiantes con necesidades especiales. Ella estudia el 11o. grado en la escuela superior y desea seguir la carrera de Sicología en la Universidad de Cornell. Cuando no está en la escuela, la encontrarán dando servicio voluntario en el Liberty Science Center.

Ana, la madre de Zabby, es madre soltera que soporta economicamente a su mamá y su hija con un presupuesto bastante limitado. Sin embargo, gana demasiado para calificar para cualquier clase de asistencia. Por lo cual, Zabby no recibe nada gratis, nisiquiera un almuerzo en la escuela.  Ana está muy orgullosa de su hija y la apoya totalmente pero el sueño de tener un título de una universidad del rango de Cornell está fuera de su alcance. "Nisiquiera sé de donde voy a sacar dinero para el costo de las solicitudes para las universidades" -dice Ana- al saber que el costo de educación en una escuela del calíbre "Ivy League" es más que su propio ingreso anual.

Acabo de compartir con ellas la información que recibí durante la fiesta de #LATISM (Latinos en Social Media) por medio de Twitter, a la cual asistieron representantes de Univision y el proyecto "Es El Momento". Ana y Zabby estan emocionadas al enterarse que hay medios y opciones para alcanzar metas educativas. El equipo de trabajo Madre-e-Hija se ha fijado metas altas. Su siguiente paso es encontrar el financiamiento para la universidad. Durante las próximas semanas, su trabajo se enfocará en averiguar todo lo relacionado a las becas, especialmente para estudiantes Latinos.

Preparar un buen portafolio y comenzar tempranito son elementos importantes para no perder la oportunidad y para no someter aplicaciones tardías. Siempre lo he dicho, entre un sueño y la realidad existe un plan de acción. El próximo paso de Zabby y Ana es un paso inteligente. Y... ¿Cuál es tu plan?

Estaré documentando el progreso aquí en mi AGENDA blog para que la experiencia de este dúo sea compartida con otros padres que enfrentan el mismo reto.  Les invito que pasen de nuevo a leer mi agenda, comentar y compartir con nosotros sus consejitos.

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ES EL MOMENTO                                                                   LATISM