Advice, Education, high school, My Virtual Success Stories, teenagers |
Senior year is kind of weird because it seems to drag on forever (think Senioritis) and yet it flies by in the blink of an eye. There is a lot to keep track of such as making sure all of your graduation requirements have been met, that you are prepared for your graduation ceremony and celebration, and that you are preparing for life after high school. It can be overwhelming, but if you make a check list of things you need to accomplish, you’ll be all good!
Spring:
- Make sure you talk to your mentor to double check that you are still on track to graduate. You don’t want to find out that you have fallen behind in any credits when you’re trying on your cap and gown.
- Stay on top of your assignments and check in with your mentor weekly. Now is definitely not the time to fall behind in your courses. Graduation is around the corner and a missing assignment could put your graduation date back if you are already teetering on the edge of passing.
- Now is the perfect time to make sure you have confirmed with a trade school or college that you will be attending in the fall, should you have plans to go to secondary school.
- If you are continuing your education, make sure all loose ends are tied up in regard to financial aid.
- Get your cap and gown steamed, and order any picture packages you wish to have of your big graduation day!
- Walk across the stage and get that diploma you worked so hard for!
Summer:
- Enjoy your graduation celebration!
- Send out thank you cards to everyone that congratulated you with a gift.
- If you’re heading off to college in the fall, make sure to secure living arrangements.
- Buy books, supplies, and anything else you need for your secondary education school.
This time in your life flies by and then you’ll have the rest of your life to have adult responsibilities. Enjoy this time while you can because it’s fleeting. We hope that by having a check list, you’ll stay on track from now until September and be able to relax and enjoy the fruits of your labor. If you know of other teens that would benefit from learning as a virtual student, make sure to tell them about your experience with My Virtual Academy. It takes a lot of courage for a student to change schools and switch up the way they learn, but for many students, it’s a total game changer. Being able to work when they want, where they want, and at a pace of their choosing, relieves a lot of stress and puts their education back in their hands, where it belongs. Encourage your friends to visit our website, or give us a call at 800-297-2119 to learn more about our tuition-free program. Thank you and congratulations graduate!
My Virtual Success Stories |
When we decided to ask students how their experience has been at My Virtual Academy, Kayla C. was one of the first to respond. We touched base with Kayla over the phone to get her story and hear her thoughts on our program and when our conversation was over, we could summarize Kayla’s feelings into 4 words: excited about the future!
Kayla C. came to us after realizing that her former school environment wasn’t working out to her advantage. Kayla said, “I was failing. I was an F student. I was worried about everyone and everything around me. My mom transferred me to My Virtual Academy and now I’m almost an all A student!”
She went on to say that in her previous school she felt very distracted and needed to make a change. When she sat down with her family and decided that making the switch to a virtual school would be a good thing to do, the transfer was easy as she had her uncle by her side. He decided to try out virtual learning at the same time so they’ve been a strong support system for each other and are both expected to graduate in December 2018.
“Making the transition to MVA was the easiest thing in the world. I still get up at 6:45am, just like I did for my old high school, and do my schooling all day.” Like most teens, Kayla has a job to earn spending money and loves the flexibility that being a virtual student offers.
Kayla has also found that the flexibility really came in handy when her grandfather passed away a few weeks ago. Kayla said, “All of the teachers at MVA are so understanding and helpful. When my grandfather passed away, they were very understanding and they were very flexible and worked with me. That helped a lot.”
Throughout the interview, we couldn’t help but notice how excited Kayla was about not only her future, but also her current status. She raved, “Ever since switching, everything changed. My whole life has changed. I’m happier. I have a better home life now. I’ve done a total 360. My Virtual (Academy) has totally changed my life.”
When asked what her favorite thing was about attending My Virtual Academy, she responded, “The teachers. They are hands on and helpful. I went from being a failing student at my old school who was constantly brought down by my teachers and told I would never graduate or amount to anything and now here I am. I’m going to graduate with good grades and I recovered the credits that I needed from my old school.”
As we ended the interview, we asked Kayla what she would say if she were talking to her old self or students who are struggling now and contemplating making a change in their education and her answers were profound.
“Take a breath. Don’t stress over stuff before it happens. If you need help, the teachers at MVA are always there to help you. Most importantly, do it for yourself and for your life. If you have any future plans or goals for yourself, you need to do it. Make the switch. Do it for yourself.”
Well said, Kayla.
If you or a loved one is struggling in their current school, please know there are other options out there. My Virtual Academy provides coursework tailored to each, individual student. We provide a flexible learning structure where the students are able to complete their coursework at their own pace, from the comfort of their own home. We have enrollment specialists that would love to answer any questions you may have and explain more details about our tuition-free academy. Please reach out to us by calling 800-297-2119 or visiting our website, www.myvirtualacademy.com.
My Virtual Success Stories |
When is the last time that you started something new or embarked on a new adventure? We all get those flutters in our stomach and wonder if we’re making the right decision when we give something new a shot. It’s perfectly normal and that’s exactly what happened to Branna W.
Before enrolling in My Virtual Academy, Branna was a teen in high school that was getting into trouble and kept getting suspended. She spent a lot of time fighting and trying to fit in with friends that she now realizes weren’t really her true friends at all.
Branna owes a lot of credit to her mother, Kimberly, who knew at the end of Branna’s 9th grade year that her current situation was bad news and she had to make a change. Kimberly thought back to an ad she saw on a bus for My Virtual Academy and decided to give us a call. We were so happy she did!
There are a lot of parents who find themselves in a situation very similar to the one we just mentioned. The important thing for parents to keep in mind is that there is hope! Just because their teen isn’t excelling in their current school doesn’t mean all hope is lost. At My Virtual Academy, your student’s success is our number one goal. After all, if they don’t succeed, we don’t succeed.
When Branna’s mom discussed switching to a virtual learning academy, Branna was resistant to start. She wasn’t interested in changing up her learning environment, which is understandable – change can be scary.
After a rough start with our program, Mrs. Karasienski encouraged her to get moving in the program. During the first meet-and-greet, Branna got to meet Mrs. Karasienski. Being able to put a face to the voice behind the phone was just what she needed to start plowing ahead. Hearing words of encouragement let her spread her wings and she started flying through her classes. Branna was so motivated that she worked hard and graduated a whole year ahead of schedule!
That’s the beauty of flexible, individually-paced learning. If you want to forge ahead and complete courses rapidly, you can. If you are a student who needs some additional time, you’ve got it! It’s really a win-win for every student enrolled.
Branna has her sights set on attending Oakland Community College and is in the process of determining which field of study she would like to pursue. Picture this, Branna was a student who didn’t see her future in a very bright light. She had no hope for success. Now she has graduated ahead of time and is planning on attending college.
Your future is bright, Branna. Let your light shine!
If you have a student in another school and they are facing difficulties for any reason, we encourage you to reach out. Our staff can walk you through how our academy works and discuss enrollment. You may call us at 800-297-2119 or visit us online at www.myvirtualacademy.com.
high school, My Virtual Success Stories |
You’ve made it!!! Graduation is right around the corner and this is such an exciting time in your life, as well as your families. Guess who else is bursting with pride at your accomplishment? Us! Every time a student reaches graduation, we ring the bell in our office so that everyone knows another student achieved success and the excitement spreads like wildfire throughout our office. It wasn’t always an easy road to get here but you did it. You overcame what life threw at you, trying to curtail your future, and got back on track. Everyone who witnessed your commitment, dedication, and drive to achieve your goals will be celebrating you come graduation day.
This time of the year is hectic! You’re busy planning what will happen after graduation, completing scholarship applications, finding housing, planning an epic graduation party, etc. To keep it all together and not lose your mind, we’ve compiled an end-of-the-year checklist of sorts to help keep it smooth sailing and stress-free.
In the spring…
- Double check with your mentor that you are indeed on track to graduate. You don’t want any unpleasant surprises!
- Discuss if you’re having a graduation party. If you are, think of where you’ll have it and who you will invite.
- When you receive your cap and gown, make sure everything is included and fits properly. Feel free to decorate your cap, so long as it is school appropriate!
Leading up to graduation…
- Treat yourself to a nice outfit to wear on graduation day. It’s a big day and you deserve to feel special!
- Get those invitations in the mail! Sending them out four weeks early gives folks enough time to plan and will most likely increase the attendance since people will still have the date open.
- Gather items you might want to showcase on your graduation boards. Often times, graduates will have tri-fold or poster boards with pictures of them throughout their school days, from kindergarten until graduation. This allows people to remanence and reflect on you.
- Make sure you have completed all of your scholarship applications, if you are going on to secondary education.
- Steam your cap and gown (if you have a steamer) or take it to the dry cleaner to have wrinkles removed. It’s your special day – you want to look your best!
- Now is a nice time to put pen to paper and write notes to those whom have helped you get to where you are today. You may want to write letters to your parents or guardians, grandparents, other loved ones, teachers, and staff members. Kind words of appreciation leave lasting impressions, and it makes you feel good, too!
On the big day…
- First thing in the morning, make sure that your phones and cameras are charged. You will be happy to have pictures to look back on of your big day.
- Give someone the task of being your official photographer. It will be nice to have pictures from multiple people but if one person knows they are in charge of capturing the moments of the day, you’ll get all the right shots.
After graduation day…
- Have your graduation celebration!
- Send out thank you cards for those that came or sent you a gift in the mail.
- Make sure you have living arrangements figured out if you will be going away to school.
- Be ready and excited to start this new chapter of your life!
Even though we broke down important things to do in the remaining days of high school and throughout your last summer before college/trade school or entering a career, don’t forget to take time to enjoy the fruits of your labor. We’ve enjoyed having each and every one of you as students and if you know anyone else that can benefit from our program, please give our office a call at 800-297-2119.
My Virtual Success Stories |
Cameron S. was giving it his all and trying to make it through the long school days when he was enrolled in a traditional school, but health issues made it very difficult. These health issues would affect his school day and his teachers were not very understanding. Being a teen with health problems is hard enough, but to be in a learning environment where you are getting in trouble for tending to your needs or missing class time because of an illness adds a lot of stress and can make you feel like you are backed into a corner.
When you take a health issue and accompany that with anxiety, making it through the school day becomes a serious struggle. Cameron found answers to his academic struggles through My Virtual Academy. He stated, “My Virtual Academy gives me as much flexibility as I need. The transition to MVA was very easy and I wouldn’t hesitate to make the switch.”
We asked Cameron what his favorite thing is about My Virtual Academy and he said, “That you can go at your own pace. I can work ahead if I know I go on vacation or want to take a break for Christmas and other holidays. It’s great to be able to choose when I want to work, like if I go to my grandparents to help with yard work during the day, I can do my work at night.” He went on to say, “So, it’s not like there is a set time things have to be done. I can just go at the pace that I like to go at.”
When speaking with Cameron, we asked if he could give struggling students who are looking at switching to a virtual school some advice. He replied, “This is your best option. As long as you stay on track, you’re good. Virtual learning is flexible and easy and I think you’ll like it.”
Cameron continued to tell his story and noted, “I love this online school! You are able to make your own schedule and I am able to do my classes whenever, as long as I get my stuff done. I am able to do as I please and check in on Wednesdays – this is the best kind of schooling there is. I wouldn’t change the transfer if I had a chance because I’m in love with all the opportunities I get for being online schooled. I don’t have to worry about other kids in my school and whether I am accepted or not because I am able to do online school at home. I learn a lot better online than I did in regular school.”
We are very happy that Cameron decided to make the change and take control of his education. We hear stories like his every day. Sometimes students just simply need another approach to learning and to work in another environment. If this sounds like you or someone you know, reach out to us. Our staff can answer any questions you may have about our free virtual academy and can discuss the enrollment process. Please give us a call at 800-297-2119 or visit us online at www.myvirtualacademy.com.
My Virtual Success Stories |
Gabriella D. moved to a new city and had to switch schools at the tail-end of her sophomore year in high school. Like most of us, Gabriella found change to be difficult. She began having anxiety attacks and wanted nothing to do with school. The thought of attending a virtual school crossed her mind over the summer so she enrolled but didn’t take it seriously or put much effort into her schooling.
Shortly after realizing she wasn’t taking online learning seriously, her mom sent her back to her previous high school. Gabriella was unhappy and had already made up her mind that she didn’t want to attend. Gabriella recalled, “I was skipping school all the time. In the time I was there, I skipped every day. I wanted to drop out. I wanted to give up. I brought up the idea of giving virtual school another try and said I wouldn’t drop out if I could take school online.”
She went on to say, “My senior year came around and I was told I was technically a junior again, and that’s when I thought to myself, ‘What am I doing?’ Around October or November of 2017, I started to work on school and by January 2018, I had already completed 8 classes. It is now April and I now have 15 classes completed and I will now be a graduate of 2018 as I should be.”
That’s the beauty of virtual learning. When you attend My Virtual Academy, you can work at your own pace – as slow or fast as you want. That flexibility allows students like Gabriella to recover credits and work at a more rapid pace so that they stay on track with their original date of graduation. The pride shown on student’s faces as they graduate on time or ahead of time is priceless.
Gabriella proudly says, “No words will ever describe how proud of myself I am and how good it feels to say I worked really hard for this! And, of course, with the help of my amazing teacher, Mrs. Premcevic! I honestly didn’t think I’d graduate and then I thought I would graduate next year but now I’m graduating 
this year. I’m so proud of myself!”
Gabriella is still contemplating what she wants to do after graduation, but as of now, she has her sights set on attending cosmetology school. One thing is certain, whatever she sets her mind to, she will achieve! We are so proud of you, Gabriella!
If your student would benefit from a customized lesson plan, being able to work from the comfort of their own home, and learning at their own pace, please reach out to us to learn more about our academy. It’s a tuition-free school that may be the perfect fit for your student! Visit our website or call 800-297-2119 for more information. We hope to hear from you soon!
