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MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR BRAIN

In This Issue:
Exercise Changing The Brain Permanently
Study Tip: Developing Your Own Super Brain
Coach of the Month: Kay Wilson
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Academic Success Partner of the Month

 

This month we're delighted to introduce a dynamic new Success Partner doing excllent work with girls in our community, Teen Life Coach Jess Berger. Jess graduated with honors from NYU with a Masters in Counseling Psychology and has gone on to become one of fewer than 50 Certified Teen Wisdom coaches in the entire nation. She works with girls of all ages from pre-teen to young adult. Because Jess believes that the family system is a an integral part of adolescence, she also works with parents, offering tools and strategies for effectively supporting their girls. Complementing her professional expertise, Jess brings heart, honesty and humor to her work, building instant rapport and trust and allowing her to successfully guide girls through the toughest of times. In addition to coaching, Jess also speaks, develops programs for some of the best educational institutions and facilitates workshops. For more info, visit her website, email or call 610.506.7896.

 

Looking for a Student Community Service Opportunity?

  
Meet Rickey Smith, social entrepreneur and owner of the sustainable food business Urban Green. He's started a community education venture called the Urban Green Kids Row program, creating opportunities for kids from diverse backgrounds to participate in many activities related to food sustainability, from planting seeds  to learning about how organic food is grown and harvested. For more info on a terrific community service and volunteering opportunity for kids, email Rickey, visit the website at www.urbangreenla.com

or call (800) 200 3320. 

Check out Our  YouTube Video!

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two-minute video we recently produced to give you a feel for who we are, our philosophy and the way we approach our work
How Academic Success Can Support You
At Academic Success we take great pride in finding the right coach to support the unique needs of each student we help.  Please check out the areas where we work on our  web site and let us know how we can support you.

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Looking for a College Counselor or Ed Therapist?
We work and partner with excellent Educational Therapists and College Counselors throughout the L.A. area.  Give us a call and we can recommend the right fit for your child.

310-823-4398
Greetings and Welcome To Our 
Fall Kickoff Issue!

When returning to academic work after a long layoff, it's critical for students to maximize performance. 

With that in mind, we are exploring one of the most dynamic and important areas in all of science today: the recently-discovered ability of our brains (especially developing brains) to improve through the development of new pathways and connections. This phenomenon is known as Neuroplasticity, the subject of many books and studies, including a recent New York Times best seller, The Brain That Changes Itself.
One of the primary ways for kids to stimulate mental function and maintain brain health is physical activity. In this issue, we'll offer up-to-date reporting on the topic in addition to providing other tips for optimizing and literally changing our brains to achieve higher performance. 

 

At Academic Success, we're heavily invested in helping our students to achieve inner transformation that leads to outstanding success, both now and in the future.

 

Please call with any questions at (310) 823 4398 or

 

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All the best,

 

Jamie

 

"The brain is like a muscle. When it is in use we feel very good. Understanding is joyous."

                                                  - Carl Sagan

Education News 

Exercise Changing 
The Brain Permanently
  
While we've long known that exercise can reduce stress and anxiety, a recent study conducted at Princeton University may prove that those positive effects are more long-lasting than anyone suspected. This fascinating CBS News report is a must-view for anyone looking to improve mental performance. 
 
3 Ways To Be More Mentally Efficient

 

Multi-tasking is often seen as the best way to get things done, and a sign that someone has a well-functioning brain. However, this helpful article from a meditation and mindfulness expert, inspired by a book written by a world-renowned neurologist, offers some alternatives for improving brain efficiency.

 

Posture Improving Mood, Energy, Thoughts

 

No matter how good teachers may be, the work of a behavioral scientist at San Fransisco State University reveals a tangible link between posture and state of mind - a vital discovery for kids sitting in class rooms for hours at a time. This exciting San Fransisco Chronicle report may have teachers across the nation telling students to "get up and wiggle". 

 

Nutrition A Key Factor In Mental Health

 

We can exercise as much as we like, yet there remains one immutable fact: the brain requires specific nutrients to function properly. This sobering article, based on work by a prominent PhD, shows that "starving brains" often result in violent behavior and high anxiety among teens, leaving precious few mental resources left for study.

 

 

Back To School Should Mean More Rest

 

With kids' brains often on overload soon after returning to school, getting proper rest becomes an absolute priority- yet regular sleep seems to commonly be the first thing to be sacrificed. This enlightening piece by a sleep specialist from Stanford offers a different formula for students: more rest for the brain = better brain function = less time needed for homework.

Study Tips 

Developing Your Own Super Brain

 

One thing that is becoming clear in the fields of neuroplasticity and brain health is that there are many ways to improve brain function and processing speed. Students therefore have the opportunity to maximize their brain power in multiple ways.
Varying your physical activity is a fantastic way to stimulate your brain. Even if you are very active in your chosen sport, take time to do things that are new to your brain and outside your comfort zone: dance class, yoga, martial arts or a new sport will offer great benefits.
Nutrition has already been mentioned in this issue. Read here for a list of Super Foods that feed the brain. 
Then there is your Mental Nutrition: What stimulai are you feeding your brain? Try turning off TV/Internet/Social Media/Phones and pick up a good book, listen to some classical music, see live theatre, visit a museum, or surround yourself with nature
Finally, Meditation is a tremendous way to quiet your mind and give yourself intense rest in quick time. Read here for some ideas and inspiration on beginning a meditation regime at your school.

Coach Profile 

 
Meet Kay Wilson,
  Coach Profile of The Month

 

Having graduated from New York University with a Bachelor's in Drama and a double major in English Literature, one would assume that one of our newest coaches, Kay Wilson, would be most at home teaching in the arts and humanities field. However, like many of our coaches at Academic Success, Kay brings a wide range of skills and experience to the table: she also has a passion for numbers, having worked in New York as an accountant and financial manager. Kay has successfully taught and tutored high school and college mathematics and science for several years. Through private tutoring, she has developed a passion for helping students to succeed. Kay believes in developing a curriculum that best harmonizes with each student's personal and academic life. She also prioritizes the need to celebrate student's successes, fostering a sense of joy and enthusiasm for the work. We are excited to have her on board and are sure our students will be as well. 

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We consider it a privilege and an honor to support students and their families throughout the Los Angeles area.  Please call us at any time; we welcome your thoughts and input.  We are available at 310-823-4398.

Sincerely,
 
Jamie Altshule
Academic Success, Inc.