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Learning while Black and under 25!

9/11/2023

How are your Executive Functioning (EF) skills?
My what?!

Do you turn your assignments in on time or do you lose or forget about them until the day before they’re due? Is “Did I say that out loud?” a frequent comment of yours? Do you jump on an assignment right away or does it take you a long time to get started and stay focused? All of these are managed by your executive functioning (EF) skills. Being aware of and strengthening your EF skills can help make school –- and life -- go much more smoothly.

Your brain is like a funnel that takes in information, processes it, interprets it, adjusts it to fit you, then helps you to make appropriate decisions on how to act in the world. Executive Functioning (EF) skills are brain-based skills required to “execute” tasks. They help us plan, organize, control our behavior, make decisions, manage time, start tasks, adapt to new situations, and set and achieve goals. They develop over time as a person grows.

Read on for some fun facts about EF and learning while …

Fun Fact #1
It takes 25 years for complete maturation of the part of the brain that handles most of these functions! That’s right! Forget 18 as the age to be an independent adult. Not even 21 is quite there yet. Ever wonder why car insurance rates go down once you reach 25 years? Yep, they know. Judgment, logic and reason, emotional control – all of those are still immature until age 25, on average. So parental guidance can still be very very helpful until then. Listen and learn!

This is a typical brain at 15 years old. Purple is the most mature, red is the least. There are some purple areas but the frontal lobe, the part right behind your forehead, is still mostly green, which is not quite fully developed.

Fun Fact #2
There are more than 12 executive functioning skills. Some include:

Sustained attention
Task initiation
Memory
Planning
Time management
Flexibility
Persistence
Organization

Sound like skills needed for adulting? Yes, they are. And you can develop them – before you turn 25!

There are apps that may help boost EF skills through brain training exercises. But even better, join our Springboard to Success program – we’ll show you how. For more information and to apply, click here!

Summer break is almost over but it's not too late!

7/10/2023

While summer is a time to relax and unwind, it is also an ideal time to engage in activities that enhance personal growth, build skills, and help prepare you for college. Here are a few ideas of easy yet powerful things to do in the next few weeks before school begins.

All grade levels:
~ Start a passion project – What project, cause, issue, topic, skill, or idea grabs your interest or curiosity? What would you do if money were not a factor? It can be something you create, research, or do for yourself and/or others. It may even develop into the central theme of your college application essay. [Note: College admissions folk LOVE passion projects. They help you to stand out from the crowd!]

Seniors:
~ Check out the college application essay questions and start writing the personal essays that are a critical part of your application. Knock it out this summer so you won’t be stressed about it in the fall.
~ Narrow down your college choices and plan in-person or virtual visits to your top ones.

Juniors:
~ If you plan to take the SAT or ACT, schedule a test prep class for the early fall.
~ Start thinking about which colleges you might want to attend. Collegeboard allows you to search, research and create a list of colleges that match your academic profile and interests for free.

Sophomores:
~ Review your resume. Think about what you’d like to tweak, change or add this coming year in terms of activities, projects, types of courses. Look for leadership opportunities.
~ Explore the possibilities of dual enrollment classes. You’ll generally take these starting junior year but you have to apply in your sophomore year.

Freshmen:
~ Identify your interests and what you want to emphasize throughout your high school journey. Extracurriculars are important, but lots of unconnected clubs and activities don’t present you well. Instead focus on those few that inspire you. Take the initiative and plan a path to leadership. That’s what colleges and career managers look for.
~ If you have summer reading for any of your courses, do it! Start strong this year and you’ll be on the clear path to success.

It’s definitely not too late to use the summer to engage in activities that connect your interests and goals. By doing so, you can enhance your college application, develop essential skills, and gain valuable experiences.

After HS, then what?

1/16/2023

Meet Ms. Revenna Brown,
our Springboard to Success Counselor/Coach

Hey there!

Can I tell you a secret??? Did you know that you don’t have to have your whole life figured out right out of high school? It’s okay to not have an elaborate life plan as it relates to college and/or the future. You are literally just in the beginning stages of self- discovery.

What if I told you, from experience, that it is not uncommon to struggle with narrowing down a specific college and major. I can personally say that I was one of those students who went into school thinking I knew exactly what I wanted to do with my life down to a T, but things quickly changed once I actually started college. The good news is there’s no pressure to quickly choose your path. Some students start off at a community college and then transfer to a 4 year university, some students decide to forego a university and go to a trade school, and some even decide to take a GAP Year. All of those are completely okay.

Maybe you have a solid idea of your future career path but you’re struggling to narrow down a specific major and/or college that aligns. Or maybe you feel like you just need a break. You just went through 12+ years of school and you want to take a year off before starting back with school. Have no fear, we got you!

We will be diving into all of these topics and more at February’s Springboard Workshop. We'll do some interactive activities to help you choose the right college and major for your interests and needs, as well as talk about how to make the most of a GAP year if you decide to take one.

I am so excited to meet you all face to face for our first Springboard to Success 2023 workshop.

See you on February 11th!

~ Revenna Brown

REGISTER FOR THE WORKSHOP HERE:

Giving Thanks

11/12/2022

‘Tis the season to give and to give thanks for what you have received. Actually, this is a practice that ought to be and, for many already, is a 24/7/365 practice rather than just a season. Why? Our ancient Kemetic (Egyptian) ancestors gave us the principles of Maât which includes reciprocity, as well as truth, justice, balance, harmony, order and righteousness. What is reciprocity? It is the relationship between giving and receiving.

“A hand stretched out to give is also ready to receive.” – Malawi proverb

You give, you receive. You receive, you give. Too much of either one throws us out of balance. It upsets the emotional and spiritual applecart, even when we may not be aware of it. It’s not about keeping score, but it is about staying in the positive, numerically and otherwise.

One of my jegnas (advisor), Dr. Asa Hilliard, always said that people tend to highlight and get stuck on things that go wrong, and they want to study and analyze failures. Instead, he said, we need to study and focus on things that go well, the successes. “What you focus on grows.” Giving thanks is a way to acknowledge and grow the energy around the good that you have received. It sends out the energy of appreciation and abundance. And what you send out, you’ll get back. That’s reciprocity.

In this giving season, Nsoromma is doing something we rarely do – asking you to make a contribution to us, that is, to please give us a donation. We are working to expand so that we can enrich the education of even more of our children and youth in even bigger ways. It’s more important than ever for us to be in control of our children’s education. As the state and country are taking away opportunities for them to get a full and truthful understanding of their history and heritage, we must be proactive and intentional to insure that they receive that – from us.

With your giving, we (Nsoromma and you) can give our children and youth:
~ a cultural heritage and history program for our teens connected with a national Black educational organization;
~ STEAM programming with a focus on solving local and global problems that affect people of African descent throughout the diaspora;
~ expanded Triple Threat SAT/ACT Test Prep courses and Knowledge about College workshops for teens and parents;
~ entrepreneurship and social entrepreneurship experiences;
~ much more.

You may give a donation in a couple ways:

Nsoromma PayPal

Your gift is an investment in the youth of our community –
our future.

Medase pa! Asante sana! Thank you very much for your support, your treasures, and your time!

Peace and love,
The Nsoromma Family

The time is right for you to...

10/4/2022

It's Fall, time for leaves to change colors and fall from the trees. Time for juniors and seniors to begin work on college planning. Here are some priorities to put on your calendar.

JUNIORS
Start making a list of what’s important to you -

Favorite classes (may help you decide on a major)
What careers interest you?
Do you want a small college or a large one?
Do you want to stay close to home or venture further out?

Check out colleges that fit your interests -

Here’s a good resource: https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/college-search
What’s the range of GPA and SAT/ACT test scores of their freshman class?
Plan an in-person or virtual visit to your top 5 or so colleges.

SAT or ACT test prep -

If you’re not within the SAT range of your top colleges, get test prep and pull up your scores! https://www.triplethreattestprep.com/

Financial aid and scholarships

Some counselors suggest applying for the small, lesser known scholarships because there are less people applying for those and your chances of receiving an award are therefore greater. Still apply to the larger ones – you want to keep your options open!
Check this out, too: cb.org/opportunity.

Prepare to present yourself!

Create a resume with your work experience, volunteer activities, clubs, extra-curricular activities. Show who you are! Let your passion for your contributions shine!

SENIORS

Fine-tune your college list

One guideline is to apply to 10, have 5 favorites, and choose from 3.
Download college applications
Plan visits, attend college fairs, talk to current or recent students there.

Take the ACT or SAT

Take a test prep booster class if you’re not yet hitting your score goals

Get the applications you need

If you’re interested in an HBCU, many are on the https://commonblackcollegeapp.com/ For a single $20 application fee you can apply to up to 67 HBCUs in that network..
Other schools, as well as some of the HBCUs, are on the The Common Application. About half of the 1000+ schools require an application fee – unless you get a fee waiver from your school counselor.

Start writing your essays.

Ask your English teacher for help if needed.
Ask others to read your essays and give you feedback.
Don’t wait until the last minute. Essays are very important parts of your application package and you want to be sure you have “crossed the t’s and dotted the I’s.”

Finances

Complete the FAFSA as early as possible.
Apply to scholarships.
Some counselors suggest applying for the small, lesser known scholarships because there are less people applying for those and your chances of receiving an award are therefore greater. Still apply to the larger ones – you want to keep your options open!
Check this out, too: cb.org/opportunity.

It may feel like a lot but you’re setting the stage for the next stage of your life. Ask for help, for feedback, for suggestions from others who have walked this path. You’re not alone on this journey!

Super Studying!

9/19/2022

Start the school year strong with Super Study Skills

Want to ensure that you have a great school year? Here are a few tips. These are some of the behaviors that the top students use to succeed. "Studying" is really just about learning and these are effective learning strategies.

Take notes to help you remember the most important ideas and concepts. Make your notes on each point brief. Use your own words to summarize the ideas.
Read over your notes after class and fill in other details. Connect the new information to something that you already know to enhance understanding and memory. [See Cornell notes video link below for more details on this effective system.]
Each day challenge yourself to find something new to learn in each class. Share what you learned with a parent or peer. Sharing it reinforces it for you.
Attend all classes and be engaged while you are there. SLANT helps you do that. [See SLANT video link below for more information.]
See your teacher to ask questions, get clarification, learn more. It also helps when your teacher sees you as an interested student who wants to do well
Enjoy the learning process!

College Move-In Day!

8/1/2022

College Move-In Day is quickly approaching

POV: You are pondering your packing situation for college.
Me: “I'll just pack everything from my room that I love.”
Also me: "hmm or maybe, I’ll make a list of appliances, dishes, and cookware, and matching bedding and decorations and furniture that I’ve always wanted & I’ll buy a fancy coffee maker to make specialty coffee every morning like a barista and be a sophisticated young adult headed to class!”

Screech!!! Pump the breaks. Before you get carried away with packing your entire bedroom and shopping like it's your first apartment, make some important considerations. Everything you bring to college, unpack, decorate, and build, will have to be taken apart, removed, repacked and brought back home or put into storage less than a year from now. 8 months to be exact.

College Move-In Day across America is a very long day full of excitement and chaos. Make the process less daunting with a packing plan. Follow all or some of these tips & you’re guaranteed an extra dose of dopamine for your parents and yourself.

Get familiar with the room layout of your new living conditions & have a chat with your roommate. Finding your dorm room configuration online is easier than ever. Try your school's website or YouTube. Students & schools film dorm tours all the time. Take note of what furniture already exists in the room. Are there any mirrors, can you rearrange the furniture? Most dorm rooms are lacking in space. So you’ll want to visualize the layout you want to achieve after you’ve researched. Then, talk it over with your roommate and develop a plan or even a theme. Try not to purchase wall decorations or lights until you’ve talked over a theme with your roommate. You don’t want your themes to clash. Knowing ahead of time will save you long trips at the local stores on move-in day (common issue) for those last minute items. You’ll thank me later.

2. What to buy: Let’s attack this decision by simply categorizing. This list is mostly about what to do and not to do. But 1st things 1st, check your schools banned list of items. Every school is different & every school has a banned items list for your dorm rooms.

Decorations: Most popular these days are the led lights and wall decorations. Keep it simple by planning it out and talking it over with your roommate. Add a floor lamp to this category. Power strips. Get two. Buy lots of command hooks and batteries. Buy more than you think you’ll need. Check your appliances for battery usage. Comfort and convenient item: a small cart on wheels. It has two to three shelves. You can add your makeup or other small handy items and use it as a nightstand.
Bedding & Bath: Of course you’ll need sheets (2- 3 sets is good enough). A Machine washable blanket or comforter and invest in a simple mattress topper for comfort. Dorm mattresses are not comfortable. They're super thin. A throw blanket comes in handy for multiple purposes. Most college campuses have a lawn area for recreational play and relaxation. Bring your blanket along to have something to sit on. Towels, wash cloths & hand towels (2-3 sets). Full body mirror. If you’ll have a communal bathroom, you’ll need shower shoes, a robe and a shower caddy. Consider toilet seat covers as well. Toilet paper. Check your schools list. You may have to supply your own. Add face tissue to the list as well. Tip: keep all of your new bedding in its packaging until you arrive. It’s already packed for moving and it’s as small as it will ever be within that packaging. If you want to wash it, do it when you arrive.
Kitchen: You won’t be cooking everyday. At best, you’ll make a ramen meal so dishes are necessary but very minimal. Consider a set for 2 of reusable dishes including flatware and bowls or compostable throwaway dishes. Filtered water pitcher (much cheaper than buying bottled water), Plug in kettle (tea, coffee, & ramen can all be made with an electric kettle). Most dorms have a fridge and microwave. Most common areas and dining halls also have microwaves.

School supplies: Bags of course but don’t go crazy. Something large enough to carry your laptop and other essentials that you’ll need for classes and roaming around campus. Laptop. Enough said, you’ll need it. Consider a laptop stand as well. Prevents crooks in your neck from looking down and prevents your laptop from overheating. Notebooks and pens, sure you may need them but not a lot. Start with 2 notebooks and maybe you’ll buy more later or maybe you’ll take all your notes directly on your laptop.
Cleaning and laundry supplies you’ll need most: easy to carry medium sized sturdy laundry bag with a great handle, and a sturdy laundry basket (do not get a small flimsy laundry bag/basket), small container of laundry detergent, a small simple long handle vacuum and swiffer broom, small trash bags, clorox wipes and something to keep your room smelling nice that is allowed in a dorm room (not a candle). Wax melter or plugins are great alternatives. Shower cleaner, toilet bowl cleaner & wipes.
Clothing and shoes: Remember you do not have a lot of space in your dorm. Most closet are 1 small rack and a dresser drawer. With that said, do not pack your entire closet. Don’t bring anything that you haven’t worn in months. You won’t wear it in college either. Bring your favorites in the categories of weekend wear, leisure wear, going out wear, daily wear and dress for success wear. Consider your comfort levels as well. You want your feet to be comfy for running across campus to classes. You want layering items like tanks, tees and hoodies. And of course you want shorts and sweatpants. There will be opportunities for networking, internships and job interviews. Make sure you’re prepared with 1 or 2 professional outfits and 1 pair of nice shoes. Bring thin hangers to conserve space but bring two or three thicker ones for heavier items like coats.

3. A simple list of what NOT to bring:

Coffee maker. If you don’t drink coffee now and if you only drink fancy coffee beverages, you do not need a coffee maker. But if you insist, buy a single serve coffee maker and not an entire coffee pot.
Do not purchase an entire set of reusable dishware or a hundreds of disposable plates etc. Not only is it bad for the environment but it’s a waste of money and space. Your number 1 priority is yourself. Not guests. And doing dishes has never been fun.
A printer isn’t necessary. You can use what’s available on campus if something must be printed.
Large containers of laundry detergent are bulky and heavy and take up a lot of space. Most laundry areas on campus aren’t close to your room. Having a smaller option will make the process easier.
TV, I’m sure you use your laptop to watch your movies and shows. Don’t buy a TV.

4. Next, let’s tackle packing. You’ll want to pack like items with like items. With this approach you won’t overpack and you’ll know exactly what you’ve packed. An example is, bedding, toiletries, shoes, clothing, cleaning supplies etc. After items are packed, label the box or container. Keep clothing on hangers, bunch them together, get a few large trash bags and starting from the bottom of the clothing pull the trash bag up on the clothing and tie at the top when you reach the hangers. This method makes the transition from car to dorm room closet so much easier. If you’re traveling far from home, roll your clothing in your suitcases. You’ll fit more that way. Rent packing bins instead of buying boxes. Truck rental companies offer this service. You can rent 12 containers for $18 for an entire week. You can also do a mix of purchasing bins and renting bins, as well as utilizing your suitcases and then storing them under your bed (you’ll need them for visiting home anyway). You may want to keep 2 or 3 bins in your room for later. In comparison to purchasing a college shipping kit which includes 5 medium sized boxes, tape, bubble wrap, markers & a knife for $31, you’re making a better investment with renting 12 sturdy bins with lids attached. You’re also saving yourself time on assembling, taping, breaking down a bunch of boxes, and tossing them in the garbage. Renting is better for your pocket and the environment. Allow yourself plenty of time for planning, shopping and execution. Last minute can be disastrous.

5. On move-in day: Use the bins!!! Your college will provide you with these huge bins on wheels when you arrive at your dorm. Pile all of your items (cleaning supplies on top) in the bins and wheel them to your room.

6. Clean your dorm room prior to unpacking. Wipe down everything as soon as you get in your room.

Enjoy your family and loved ones on this day. They came to help you, after all.

That’s all folks. Happy College Move-In Day!

Congratulations to the graduates!

5/14/2022

The Nsoromma School Family would like to say:
"CONGRATULATIONS!"
to all of our 2022 graduates!

There are many stages of our lives and important milestones highlight and define those stages. Graduation signifies the completion of one stage and the beginning of a new one. Graduating high school is especially significant because it coincides with greater independence and the beginning of "adulting."

The Akan people of Ghana use adinkra symbols to represent wisdom, teach values, and share guidance about life. There are a few symbols I would like to share with you to learn about and keep in mind as you begin this next phase of your lives. Adinkra symbols are appropriate for all ages, but especially significant for high school graduates heading to careers and colleges. Below are three of my favorites to share.

Mate masie (MAH-tay MAH-see-ay) -- "I heard it and I kept it." Meaning you did not let it "go in one ear and out the other." Observe, listen, and learn. Stay true to the values that your parents taught you. Recognize distractions, particularly non-constructive ones and don't get sidetracked by them. Listervelt Middleton, a well-known journalist, historian, writer wrote:
"...So sharpen your eyes
And tune your ears
So you know what you see and
Understand what you hear..."

Hwemudua - "measuring stick"
This represents striving for the best quality in what you do. My mother used to say that if you want to compare yourself to others or to a standard, compare yourself to the best and work to get there.

Nea onnim no sua a, ohu - "He who does not know can know from learning"
This is a symbol of knowledge, life-long education and the continued pursuit of knowledge. Learning never stops as you are living. Whether you are in college or on a job, be open to learning something every day and then share some of it with someone else.

Best wishes for joyful celebrations and much success in the future!!

And to all our students and families who completed another year during a most-unexpected pandemic and all that has come with that…. CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU FOR MAKING IT THROUGH!

The Nsoromma School Family

Identity

3/8/2022

“A tree cannot stand on the ground without its roots.” – African proverb

Who are we? What are our roots? What happens when we are cut off from our roots?

What happens is that we forget who we are. We forget our strength. We forget what we are here to do.

We are African people -- the majority of our ancestors are African. They were kidnapped, stolen from Africa, and brought to this country. With a hate-filled greed and vengeance, those who stole us did their best to cut us off from our roots. They did their best to make us forget who we were. They did their best to make us think that we were less than. Most tragically, they did their best to teach us to hate ourselves and to hate each other. Unfortunately, they were way too successful with their program. Because even now too many of us don’t connect with our heritage, don’t know our strengths, don’t believe that our natural beauty and brilliance are enough and don’t know that we are super powerful beings!

At Nsoromma we work really hard to instill a sense of empowerment among our students and families by connecting our history and our heritage to all that we do. We tell our students that they are beautiful and fully capable of excellence. We help them to see that, as Dr. Asa Hilliard - Nana Baffour says, “It is natural is to be whole, to be in balance and harmony.” We help them see how they are excellent and how they have the power to reach their goals.

We focus on making our historical connections to Africa, because in the tens of thousands of years that we have been on this planet we have:

built complex societies,
created technologies

[Think “Wakanda” to get an idea of the level of scientific knowledge that started with African people in ancient Kemet (Egypt)],

lived in harmony with nature and each other, and
welcomed and taught the world.

It’s only been in the last few hundred years that we have seen colonialism, apartheid, American chattel slavery, and inhumane discrimination and racism. “Black History” did not begin in 1619. Our history began over 16,000 years ago. Our history begins with ourstory -- what we did, how we lived, what we believed, and the structures we created to educate, to heal, to govern, to affirm and to show gratitude – when we were whole, knew who we were and loved who we were.

Once we truly understand that, then we can talk about this isfet period that we’re in now with its oppressive and racist policies and laws, its values and practices that are not aligned to the African principles of Maât and that are not reflected in the wisdom of our adinkra symbols. When we understand our heritage, our culture, and our history, then we will understand what our goals and purposes are and we can respond accordingly, together.

When spider webs unite, they can tie up a lion. – African proverb

Resources:
Malcolm X – “Who taught you to hate yourself?”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wm9pEWIPjks

Dr. Asa G. Hilliard III – “What do we tell our children?” http://www.orondeamiller.com/archives/2298

African history resources:
African History Classes - https://www.shrineoftheblackmadonna9.org/african-history-class/

Gratitude

2/15/2022

Last month we started a series on helping our youth focus on preparing for the next stage of their lives – in the midst of an on-going pandemic and particularly stressful period in the world. The first concept was affirmations. This month, we’re looking at gratitude.

We didn’t come into this world all by ourselves and we don’t move through it alone. We are not independently self-sufficient self-sustaining beings. Everything we do and everything we have has some connection to others. Two easy examples: what you’re reading right now and transportation. Someone else built your computer, phone or other device, created the wireless network you’re connected to, and built whatever vehicle you use to travel. Even when you walk, you’re wearing shoes that someone else made. You get the picture? We are interdependently connected to others to give and receive, which is reciprocity. In his historical novel, Two Thousand Seasons, Ghanaian author Ayi Kwei Armah calls it "The Way."

This month we’re moving from recognizing and acknowledging our strengths and gifts through affirmations to recognizing and acknowledging the strengths and gifts of those around us. How do we acknowledge that inter-connectedness, that interdependence? How do we show respect for what we have been given? How do we show reciprocity, one of the seven virtues of Maât?

One way is to give thanks for and to those who are connected to us in some way. The connections are physical, emotional, and spiritual. You may be giving thanks to those around you, to the Creator, to your ancestors. You may be giving thanks for the objects they create, for the experiences they provide, for the opportunities to learn and grow, for the joy they give us, for supporting and loving us, and for just being within our circle.

As children we’re taught to “Say ‘thank you’” when receiving a gift, a favor, a compliment. Sometimes we may also reciprocate with something similar. That’s one way to show gratitude. Buying Black is another way – we all have to support our communities and each other as we work to create, build and sustain ourselves. In our newsletter we have links to some of the hundreds of Black businesses in metro Atlanta.

Acknowledgement of gratitude can also, ironically, be just you speaking or writing it to yourself. My neighbor always says, “Today is a gift, that’s why it’s called the present.” In the morning, give thanks for the day. You can say or reflect on words of gratitude, and then an affirmation. You can write about it in a gratitude journal.

In the evening, you can do the same, giving thanks for the experiences of the day, reflecting on what you accomplished, what you learned, how you felt. You’ll be surprised at the impact that this practice has. You will more easily be able to be in the midst of drama and trauma, and still move forward with focus and strength.

For more information:
Gratitude is Good Medicine! How Being Grateful Can Heal:
blackdoctor.org/practice-gratitude-its-a-heart-healer/

Gratitude for the ancestral warriors - from Mwalimu Baruti:
Gratitude

A brief overview of the brain science behind the physical and emotional impact of gratitude: kwiklearning.com/kwik-tips/the-effects-of-gratitude-on-the-human-brain/

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