🚀 Greetings, Fiveable fam! Time to unwrap this week's top study hacks, stories, and insights. 🎓

📲 Content Corner

A weekly roundup of the best study hacks, tools, and insights to boost your academic game.

🟥 TED-Ed reveals 3 game-changing study tips for effective learning.

☕ Does background noise help you study? Then you’re gonna love this clever site I Miss My Cafe, which gives you a classic cafe ambiance without being there.

🧠 Note-taking guru RemNote uses spaced-repetition for insane memory gains, by helping you make flashcards in your notes.

📸 Need a free Photoshop alternative? Check out Photopea, a powerful, online-based Photoshop clone!

🚀 Boost your SAT scores! Join Fiveable's 🆓 SAT Math Cram Previews – two nights of intensive prep, tonight and tomorrow @ 7pm ET. Save your spot here!

🎟️ Elevate Your AP Classes with Cram Mode 🎟️

Looking to get an edge this semester? 🎓

Fiveable's Cram Mode might be the perfect resource for you!

Think of it as your companion in conquering challenging AP classes and exams!

With Cram Mode, you’re not just studying, you’re transforming your learning experience with this powerful set of tools:

✅ 19,000 practice questions across all AP subjects

✅ Instant, simplified explanations for questions you get wrong

✅ Exclusive invites to 170+ live cram events throughout the school year, covering 21 APs, ACTs, SATs, and college admissions

✅ Built in community with peers who help you succeed

Fiveable students leveraging Cram Mode DOUBLE their chances to secure top scores, surpassing national averages!

Simply put, Cram Mode could be the single best catalyst to elevate your grades and amplify your learning. 📚

“Fiveable helped me become SO much more confident, and I’m proud of myself!” – High School Sophomore, AP Chemistry Crams 2023

Get started today and gain a huge advantage in your studies!

📣 Homeroom Headlines

Apple’s 2024 Swift Student Challenge: On Your Marks, Get Set, Code! 🧑‍💻

Apple's renowned Swift Student Challenge is set to open in February 2024, presenting a new opportunity for young developers to shine.

This challenge has been a platform for students globally to demonstrate their creativity and hone real-world skills by using Swift, a professional-grade programming language.

You can sign up here to be notified when the challenge is open!

Additionally, Apple introduced new Everyone Can Code resources to support educators in teaching app design and development, making coding more accessible and engaging for students.

What this means for students: The Swift Student Challenge offers students a unique platform to develop coding and app-building skills, crucial in today's tech-oriented job market.

With 92% of students acknowledging the importance of coding for future careers, this challenge provides a practical, hands-on approach to learning.

Apple’s educational resources aim to make coding more approachable and accessible, helping students start their coding journeys. 👏

Understanding GPA's Role in College Admissions: Beyond Just Numbers 💯

The importance of a high GPA for college admission is undisputed, but the process is more complex than that. As standardized tests become optional, GPA remains a crucial factor, alongside extracurriculars, essays, and recommendations.

Colleges vary in their GPA requirements – community colleges often require only a diploma, while more selective schools expect higher GPAs, sometimes above 4.0 due to weighted GPAs from AP and honors courses.

The calculation of GPA also varies, with some colleges focusing on core subjects or specific areas like STEM. A good GPA is relative to the college applied to, and lower GPAs can be offset by strong test scores, compelling essays, and robust extracurricular involvement.

What this means for students: A good GPA is important, but not the sole factor in college admissions. Ivy League schools may require near-perfect GPAs, but many colleges have more accessible thresholds.

For students with lower GPAs, focusing on other application aspects, like standardized test scores and personal essays, can help balance their profiles. 

Additionally, it's crucial to research and understand the specific GPA expectations of your target colleges. Ultimately, a well-rounded application showcasing personal strengths and passions can make a significant difference.

Students Debate Impact of 50% Rule on School Accountability 🎒

In a candid discussion, high school students express mixed views on accountability policies like the "50 percent rule," which ensures students can't score below 50% on assignments even if they’re not completed.

While some argue this rule could demotivate learners and undermine educational integrity, others see it as a safety net for students facing challenges.

The debate underscores the need for a balance between leniency and rigor in educational policies, ensuring both academic responsibility and support for diverse student needs.

What this means for students: While supportive policies are necessary, especially for those facing challenging circumstances, there needs to be a balance to ensure that students are genuinely learning.

The discussion also sheds light on the pressure teachers face to pass students, which can lead to a devaluation of educational standards.

Students are encouraged to understand the implications of such policies on their education and future preparedness, recognizing the value of effort and genuine understanding over mere grade attainment.

📊 A Quick Poll for You 📊

In our continued efforts to bring you the best content possible, we'd love to know:

Cast your vote, and we’ll use the results to curate even better content for you in the future!

😌 The Wellness Workshop

Did you know that your favorite tunes can do more than just provide a soundtrack to your study sessions?

Research shows that music offers a chorus of health benefits, especially crucial during your high school years.

Some incredible things listening to music can do for you:

• Music is a workout for your brain, and helps enhance memory, attention, and even test scores!

• Battling exam stress or feeling down? Music is known to reduce anxiety and depression, and give your mental health a positive boost.

• As you tackle creative projects, music can aid in learning while also expanding your brain's creative potential.

So, next time you hit play, remember, you're not just listening to music…

You're literally fine-tuning your brain and lifting your spirits. 🧠🎧

Got a favorite track that helps you study or unwind? Hit reply and share it with us!

⭐ Student Spotlight

This week's student spotlight lands on Brooke and Breanna Bennett, dynamic 16-year-old twins from Montgomery Academy, Alabama!

Celebrated at the White House on the International Day of the Girl, Brooke and Breanna were honored for their remarkable efforts in combating period poverty in Alabama.

These young changemakers have been pivotal in ensuring access to menstrual supplies for those in need.

Their advocacy led to the passing of a law that allocates $200,000 to Title I schools, providing free tampons and pads for students in grades 5-12.

"We are honored to receive this recognition... It shows us that we are part of a community of like-minded people making a difference," Brooke Bennett shared.

This recognition at the White House's Girls Leading Change ceremony is a testament to their dedication and leadership in creating a more inclusive and supportive community.

A huge round of applause for Brooke and Breanna Bennett, true champions in the fight against period poverty and inspiring role models for young leaders everywhere! 👏

Know a student making a difference in your community?

Reply with their story – they might get featured in a future student spotlight!

✨ Stay curious and keep exploring, Fiveable fam! See you next week! 👋