Hiii Fiveable fam!

Do you wanna understand your class material just a biiit better? Well, active learning can make a big difference.

Your brain loooves exercise (+ retains info better when it does). Things like practice questions can really help you apply your knowledge. We’ve got A LOT of PQ’s available — try ‘em out here!

Now, let’s get into your weekly study glow-up and newsflash. 🔆

📲 Content Corner

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

🌳 This scientist created a “liquid tree” to tackle air pollution in cities.

⚡️ Ever had a static electricity shock? This chem teacher shows you how they happen with a cool science experiment.

🤯 Discover the essay memorization framework that not only led a doctor to top scores at Cambridge, but could also be your secret weapon for the essay sections on your AP exams! 📝

🤖 This private, encrypted diary app uses AI to analyze entries, help you identify emotions, provide insights into feelings, and give suggestions to deal with thoughts. ❤️

⌨️ Supercharge your typing with gliding — your smartphone’s built-in AI tech on that you might not know exists!

📣 Homeroom Headlines

New College Welcome Guide “Decoder” Offers Insight into Campus Culture and State Laws 🎒

USA TODAY and The Hechinger Report have collaborated to create a new college guide, presenting comprehensive data on how state laws and institutional policies are affecting college students.

The guide provides clarity on how campuses compare when it comes to topics like diversity initiatives, LGBTQ+ resources, free-speech laws, and on-campus gun rules.

With heightened national attention on societal values, many students are now considering factors beyond academic reputation, such as the political climate, diversity representation, and state laws before choosing a college.

What this means for students: Selecting a college has become a more complex decision, influenced not only by academic quality but also by cultural and political considerations.

Now, students can use this welcome guide as a resource to better understand campus environments and state legislation. This trend highlights the importance for prospective students to prioritize personal values, safety, and inclusivity in their college selection process.

The data suggests that institutions may need to actively address and communicate their stance on key issues to attract and retain students from diverse backgrounds.

Funds Approved for Wi-Fi on School Buses 🚌

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has announced a change that will permit schools to use federal E-rate funding to provide Wi-Fi on school buses.

Starting next year, this initiative aims to assist students, especially in rural areas with long commutes, by offering them the opportunity to study and complete homework during travel time.

What this means for students: Understandably, there's skepticism about how often students will use the Wi-Fi to study, rather than socializing or browsing social media.

But for many students, particularly those with lengthy commutes in rural areas, this decision gives them the option to make their commute productive.

While education organizations are highlighting the behavioral benefits of on-bus Wi-Fi, this move also addresses the larger issue of internet accessibility for students who might not have access at home.

U.S. Schools Adopt No-Phone Policies 📵

With the intent to reduce distractions and improve the educational environment, many U.S. schools are implementing no-phone policies.

Newburgh Free Academy in New York exemplifies this shift, making students store their phones in lockable pouches made by Yondr, a company promoting phone-free spaces.

This initiative has seen rapid adoption with a 150% increase in schools using Yondr pouches this year.

The approach, initially met with resistance, has transformed school atmospheres, leading to more direct social interaction and attention in class.

What this means for students: Students attending schools with these policies will experience days without mobile distractions, which could foster better face-to-face interactions and improved focus on academics.

While some might find the adjustment challenging, many have come to appreciate the benefits of a phone-free environment.

One senior, Tyson Hill, did a full 180! He went from writing a petition to shut this school policy down, to loving being part of a no-phone school.

English teacher, Dennis Maher, said, “It's a game-changer; it's night and day. I saw kids' faces again," while other teachers have noticed teens become more confident and social at school.

The policy also aims to combat rising mental health concerns linked to technology overuse and provides added security in emergency situations.

😌 The Wellness Workshop

Ever tried using written affirmations at home?

Well, according to renowned Stanford neuroscientist, Dr. Andrew Huberman, there’s an effective way to do this…

And a not-so-effective way, which most people are using!

With the way our visual system works, anything that remains consistent in our visual environment eventually gets overlooked.

This causes the areas of your brain associated with novelty and emotionality to become blind to what you see every day.

So, that "You've got this!" sticky note you've had on your mirror for weeks?

Your brain will start to dismiss it, reducing its positive impact. 😲

The solution? Keep it fresh!

Instead of leaving that affirmation in one spot, write it out every day and place it somewhere different.

By changing the location and rewriting the affirmation daily, it retains its novelty and remains effective!

Thinking of trying this out? Grab a new sticky note each day, pen down your affirmation, and place it somewhere unexpected. 📝🔄

Watch this Youtube Short to learn the right way to do written affirmations!

⭐ Student Spotlight

This week’s student spotlight is on Kaitlyn Smith, a junior at Baton Rouge Magnet High School, Louisiana!

She’s currently doing cybersecurity research in the College of Engineering and the Center for Computation & Technology at LSU.

There are around 20 billion smart devices connected to the internet, many of which are vulnerable to cyberattacks.

Kaitlyn is passionately working on making these devices safer with her team at LSU, developing an intrusion detection system for everyday household appliances.

And she's making waves: their recent tests detected compromised devices with 100% accuracy!

Once a threat is detected, these devices can instantly shut down and reboot, eliminating potential threats in mere seconds.

Nanette McCann, Principal of Baton Rouge Magnet High School, couldn’t be prouder:

“We encourage students to follow their passion while striving for excellence. Kaitlyn exemplifies this through her extensive research at LSU, and we're incredibly proud of her continued legacy of excellence."

A standing ovation for Kaitlyn's efforts in securing our homes and creating a safer digital landscape. 👏

Is there a student at your school doing something unique?

Hit reply and share their story – we’d love to feature them in a future student spotlight!

🎟️ Last-Minute ACT Prep: Live Cram Sessions to Boost Your Score! 🎟️

Are you prepared to crush the ACT this Saturday?

Or, if you’re taking it later, do you feel ready to face it head-on?

For all the ACT prep and resources you need, look no further than Fiveable’s Cram Mode!

Cram Mode gives you unlimited access for the entire 2023-2024 school year to our robust study resources, including:

• 📚 Access to all 19k practice questions spanning the ACT, SAT, and every AP subject

• 🔍 Instant feedback? We got you. Simplify those tricky questions with explanations that make sense

• 🚀 Score an all-access pass to 170+ live cram sessions all year, covering the ACT, SAT, and every AP course.

• 🤝 Connect with a vibrant community of students, to share, collaborate, and grow together with.

To help you prep for this Saturday’s ACT and future ACT dates, we’re putting on:

• A live ACT Reading Cram tonight

• A live ACT Science Cram tomorrow night

• A live ACT Cram Finale on Friday night

Don’t miss out on these invaluable ACT Crams! 🎓🌟

“Buy [Cram Mode], it's an investment for your score and your future.” – High School Junior, AP Chemistry Crams 2023

⚡ Powering down, Fiveable fam! Until next week! 👋