Health

Investing in Your Children’s Future

roxana maddahiRoxana Maddahi shares her financial advice for women investing in their children’s future.

Q: I am always reading about college tuition increasing rapidly. Is this the case?
A: Unfortunately, the cost of college is getting more expensive each year, and we don’t see that it will slow down any time soon. Currently, the average cost of tuition at Private Colleges is approximately $38,000 per year. The center for financial aid has calculated that that figure will be approximately $90,000 by 2025, just 10 years from now. That’s almost $360,000 for a 4 year education. Inflation generally increases by 1% per year, which means that the value of our money goes down about 1% per year, but college tuition inflates at a much higher rate, going up an average of 2.2% per year. (more…)

Education

What to Expect on the Re-Designed SAT

By Nathalie Kunin
Nathalie KuninFor more than two years there has been lots of chatter about the “new SAT”. Well, it is finally making its debut in March 2016 and the following is a breakdown of what you need to know about the new test. High school Seniors will still take the current SAT so the changes will not apply to them. Sophomores and Juniors will start preparing for the re-designed test. The most significant changes are as follows:

Scoring will go back to the 1600-point scale (instead of the 2400-point scale) and there will not be a penalty for guessing. That means correct answers will receive a point and there will not be deductions for incorrect answers. Also, there will only be 4 answer choices instead of 5.

Sentence completions have been eliminated. Vocabulary questions will only be in the context of paragraphs, and words will be focused more on “real-world” language. No more memorizing obscure lists of words that you have never heard of.

The math section has been re-designed to assess a student’s fundamental grasp of core math concepts. Twenty-eight (28) out of fifty-eight (58) total math questions will not allow the use of a calculator.

The sections are longer, but the pace is slower. An example of this is: Instead of three 25-minute reading sections, there will be one 65-minute reading section and fewer questions per minute.

While still required by many colleges, the essay will be optional. The essay will be based on an analysis of documents, rather than an open-ended question. The essay score will be separate, not factored into the 1600 point total.

The current SAT is offered through January 2016. Indicators that your high school student may prefer the current SAT:

  • • High PSAT score (1800+ on Sophomore PSAT)
  • • Strong Vocabulary
  • • Trouble with Mental Math
  • • Prefers shorter sections

Indicators that your child might prefer the new SAT:

  • • High grades in Geometry and Algebra II
  • • High ISEE or State test math scores
  • • Taking AP English Language   Composition Junior Year
  • • Prefers slower pace

The main thing for students to remember is that everyone taking the newly designed test is in the same boat – it is new for everyone. To be successful on any exam, new or old, students must study and practice. Preparing for any standardized test is a challenge and should take place over several months. Familiarizing yourself with the material will get you one step closer to success.

Nathalie Kunin is the owner of Team Tutors.

Health

Ayurveda Restoring Mothers’ Health

By Martha Soffer
Martha SofferThe time-tested and nourishing medicine of Ayurveda is a 5,000 year old system that, through diet, herbs, treatments and practices like yoga and meditation, helps us come into harmony with our own nature. For a new mother, during the six weeks following birth, the practices of Ayurveda are especially profound and restorative.

Modern obstetrical care emphasizes pregnancy, labor and delivery. After birth, as long as everyone’s healthy, they’re on to the next patient. Ayurveda, on the other hand, considers the six weeks after birth to be a precious opportunity, for both mother and baby. (more…)

Education

Getting Organized for School

By Dina Newman
Dina NewmanBack to School is a time for meeting new challenges and taking on new responsibilities.

The following 7 Tips will help you get organized & help you stay organized throughout the school year.

THE IMPORTANCE OF ROUTINES


I. Create a morning schedule and practice it at least once before the start of school.

a. Try setting up a schedule in the morning that will help you stay organized. A sample schedule might be: Wake up and shower at 6:45, get dressed at 7:00, eat breakfast at 7:15, pack your lunch at 7:25, do your hair and makeup at 7:35 and leave at 7:50.
b. Make sure you allow extra time in case something goes wrong (ex: you wake up late)
c. Follow the same routine every day.

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Lifestyle

Top 3 Healthy Life Choices for Back To School

By Leana Greene
Leana GreeneIt’s that time of year again! School supplies freshly bought, new clothes ready to be put on, another school year of opportunity awaits! With the new school year rapidly approaching, now is a good time to stress the importance of keeping your children well nourished while class is in session. Here are 3 tips to ensure that your children are staying nutritious, even while at school:

1. Stay hydrated!
An often overlooked but crucial part of the day. Kids need to make sure that they have more than enough water on a daily basis, especially if they’re going to be active during hot recess days or participating in sports after school. How can your child be sure they’re hydrated enough? Pediatricians offer a simple measuring test: checking the color of their urine. “Your child should drink enough water that their pee looks like water. If it’s too bright yellow or dark yellow, they’re not getting enough liquid in.” (more…)

Health

Tips for Helping a Family Member Through Divorce

By Karen Silver
Karen SilverNext to death, divorce is one of the most difficult and painful things a person can experience. It is not only the parties to the divorce who experience anguish, but certainly their children and often family members as well.

Divorcing parties often turn to family members for support. But how do family members provide the necessary support and guidance without relinquishing their own lives, finances and sanity in the process? Here are some useful tips and guidelines for when your family member says “I’m getting a divorce.” (more…)