The annual PSAT Day took place on Wednesday, October 1st, setting the tone for the fall season. PSAT day hosts a variety of activities for Grier students, including a college essay workshop for seniors, field trips for lower grades, and of course taking the PSAT for sophomores and juniors.
Younger students look forward to PSAT Day because they get to take a break from school for a little while to spend time with their friends. The students went to a nearby rollerskating and bowling rink to enjoy a relaxing day where the main goal was having fun! “My favorite part was definitely rollerskating with my friends,” said Katelyn McCauley, ‘29.
McCauley, along with her classmates, enjoyed their day, creating core memories and lasting friendships. The trip also provided opportunities to bond with other Grier students that one may not see around campus normally. “The trip gave me a chance to hang out with my friends, but also meet new people from Grier,” McCauley said. The younger students had an enjoyable day filled with community and fun!
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As Junior year rolls around, students turn their attention to college applications and preparing for the daunting SAT. Conveniently, Grier requires students to take the PSAT beginning in sophomore year, giving them a headstart on practicing for this exam and preparing for the college application process. A student can take their experience from the PSAT to get an understanding of what questions will look like on the SAT.
When asked about how she felt going into the PSAT, Angelena Mack, ‘27, said, “I felt prepared for the exam because I have been taking SAT tutoring classes.”
No one should stress about the PSAT; it is simply a practice exam to get an understanding of standardized tests and does not contribute toward college applications. However, the PSAT can be used to apply to summer programs and scholarships. It is a great opportunity for students as they inch toward the college application process.
Mack is taking the SAT on Monday, and she says, “I feel confident for the exam. I’ve been taking classes for 3 months, and the PSAT gave me an understanding of the topics I should focus on studying this weekend.”
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Finally, Grier has a special event for the seniors who are within just a few months of finishing the college application process. With essays to write and deadlines to meet, the seniors were able to spend their morning finalizing and getting feedback on college essays. Teachers gathered in the Dining Hall to provide writing advice and feedback on these vital essays.
This senior event aims to relieve senior stress, giving students a break from classes, and specific time to knock out a few things from their application to-do list. To make this process a bit sweeter, donuts are dropped off halfway through the morning to make sure the seniors have enough energy to put some final touches on their work.
Senior Maryam Ali says the day helped her to make edits to her college essay. “I walked around for a bit, ate donuts, and asked Dr. GB to read my essay to tell me some things that need editing.”
At the end of the day, seniors went on a college tour at nearby Penn State Altoona University, where they learned more about the application process, and got to see the environment of a college campus.
PSAT Day was definitely a success, no matter which event students took part in!
