by Sebastian Smeureanu

You’re out on the field, navigating through the players of the opposing team as you approach their goal when, without warning, you get hit from the side and fall hard.  You’ve all probably felt that impact to some degree during a game – quite a visceral impact.

You get a superb pass from your teammate that puts you right in front of goal.  Without hesitation, you react, you score… you celebrate – for a couple of minutes, you’re riding an emotional high.

When events like the ones just mentioned ‘hit’ you, literally or figuratively, their impact is obvious.  But have you ever felt the impact of your ‘sport?’  And by that I mean the word ‘sport?’  If you find this notion amusing, maybe even ridiculous, you might want to take a closer look at its meaning – getting connected to its roots and its various cultural foundations might help you find a fresh way in which to identify with doing what you love – playing your ‘sport.’

If you’ve just started your spring training (and are still having trouble getting out of bed and walking lol), then you’re experiencing the sport much like the Chinese term (tiyu) would indicate – you are undergoing physical training.  We know that we spend more time in training than on the field – and the Chinese seem to have placed significant emphasis on the objective of ‘sport’ as being to ‘train physically.’

Once in a game, your coach (and you, of course) will probably want to change gears to a Persian meaning of the word.  Based on the root bord, the Persians preferred to approach their sports with the attitude of ‘winning.’ And you should never loose sight of the Old French perspective, which describes the activity as desport, meaning ‘leisure.’ After all, if it ain’t fun, why do it in the first place?

But perhaps the most critical connection you can make to this word comes with the help of the Greeks. If you are reading this, you are most likely an athlete. The Greek word for ‘sport’ is ‘athlitismos’ – athletics, if you may.  If you truly get connected with that term, you may yet find the most magical way to identify with your sport – because the Greek term seems to indicate that you, the athlete, and the sport, athlitismos, are one and the same – the athlete becomes the sport, and the sport becomes the athlete. That could make you pretty powerful…

Think about that before you walk out on the field next time and… may the force be with you!

About the Author: Sebastian Smeureanu is the Associate Director of Academic Resources. He is the co-creator of the 3-Day SAT Experience and also works with high school and college students/athletes as a Motivational and Effectiveness Coach.

Finding the Right Time to Take College Admission Tests

Now that the PSAT is out of the way, it is time to start thinking about college admission tests.  But with sports schedules, extracurricular activities, and exams, finding the right time to take the tests can be daunting.

To help you in this process, we have put together schedules for typical juniors taking college admission tests in the Spring (click here to see Sample Test Schedule for Juniors )

Here are also some things to consider when trying to find the right time to take the tests:

1. Personal commitments or schedules:  If you are playing any sports or are involved in extra-curricular activities, schedule the tests around your busy times.  Give yourself at least ten weeks to prepare to take the test the first time, and then at least four weeks of prep when retaking them.

E.g., if your lacrosse season begins in March, sit for the SAT in January.  You will have enough time to prep without interfering with  practices and be able to retake the test in March.

2. How many times to take the tests: It is generally a good idea to sit for the exams in the early part of the spring of your junior year.  This should give you enough time to get your scores and retake the tests on an upcoming date of the current school year.

Plan to take the SAT or ACT at least twice in your junior year and once in the Fall as a senior.  This strategy will give you the best chance to learn from your mistakes and improve your score.  Remember that colleges will take your best results, no matter how many times you take the tests.

E.g., take the SAT in January or March for the first time.  Take it again May or June, and if necessary, for the third time in October or November.

3. Choosing the SAT or ACT: Since all colleges accept either the SAT or ACT, it is best to decide which test is best suited for you.  If you decide to take both, you will need to spend more time familiarizing yourself with each test, as they differ in format and content. Take practice tests in both the SAT and ACT, and then spend the majority of your time and energy preparing for the one you are best suited for.

E.g., if you scored higher on the practice ACT, take eight to ten weeks to prep for the February ACT.  Spend the following four weeks preparing for the SAT in March.  This schedule gives you the option of retaking the ACT in June.

4. Taking SAT subject tests: Unlike the SAT, which applies test taking methods and strategies, the SAT subject tests measure knowledge of classroom subjects.  If you are applying to colleges that require scores in SAT subject tests, the best time to take them is in May or June of your junior year.  Your preparation for the subject should coincide with studying for your APs or any finals in that subject.

E.g., if you are taking AP chemistry sit for the Chemistry SAT subject test at the same time as the AP test in May.  If you are in honors chemistry, take the subject test with your finals in June.

However, if you are still undecided and running short on time, or if you just need help planning a test timeline for yourself, give us a call and talk to one of our Directors who will be happy to help you put a schedule together.