Class Resume and The Distant Near

I will be in my DEN from 8.00 in the morning and stay there till 11.00 am. If you want to meet - send me an sms and be there by 8.30 am.

There is going to be Bangladesh Premiere of The Distant Near tomorrow in the Experimental Theatre Hall at Shilpakala Academy. Professor Jullur Rahman Siddiki shall preside as Chief Guest.

Tickets available at the venue before the show at 7.00 am.

ALL Invited. 

Still Bed-ridden

I am so sorry that I had not been careful enough while walking on the street. I am gong through intense mental stress for not being able to meet you all.

I am sure I will working from Saturday - if the medicines work properly and if the exercises really work.

I am feeling a bit afraid - never experienced this before.

Sprained Ankle / Restricted to BED

All classes suspended as a result of sprained ankle, stiff knee-joint, and a fear of prolonging the Samsaesque bug-life.

I am yet to receive scores of - Shanzat, Tanzid, Sanjana, and Akil. You are requested to contact over the mail. Akil is being requested to contact immediately.

1. Maths Preparation for SAT-I and SAT-II has to be completely reshuffled
2. Tomorrow SAT-II Mocks from 3-6.
3. Discussion of SAT-II problems after the test - 20 Min duration
4. SAT-I class scheduling
5. At least 2 SAT-II Mocks and 1 SAT-I Mock before the end of the Month
6. Problems - 
• 7 hours sleep everyday till the exam day
• Follow the instructions for the Exam day
• Do NOT keep strict timing
• Practice for filling-up the OVALS on the answer sheet
• Really comfortable dress
• Food-planning Very Important
• Preparation similar to that of an Athlete

Keep Cool - think BIG

The only way I can keep in touch with some of my students is through this post. Don't give up! Don't feel down! Send me your scores and talk to me.

I have seen this scenario previous years. It all melts away after the SAT-II scores arrive. And believe me some of you are going to surprise yourselves after you get the December scores improve significantly.

I have already predicted that this sort of scores are coming. I am not going to give in to some of your extreme disappointments. Let's keep working. EVERY year the scores from Anglophiles are stronger in terms of general performance.

Even this year is no exception. We can definitely ENJOY a much better December.

I am yet to receive 4 more score-reports.

PS.

Please DO tag me 'Funny' this time! Let me explain why. If this post is 'funny' then you are agreeing to the fact that 'audaciousness' should be the right answer in the face of temporary setback.

Reactions of my class!

Dearest Everyone,

Well - most of the students are down - I guess all of you expected a 20+ on your first take. I have no doubt that if we go together - if we do not let our emotion take over our reason - all of us can make an additional 300 and above in the December exam.

Those who had sent me their scores - Congratulations!

I have seen tougher times before - and we kept going! 

SAT October Test Scores

I have already received a good number of SAT-I October exam scores. I would request everyone to forward me their scores for further planning.

Do not forget that this October SAT should be taken as warm-up test.

I will meet you all on Saturday at 4.00 pm - meeting lasts for 1.30 hrs.

Mamun

SAT Planning from Akila - Withdrawn

I am removing the SAT Planning as it can not be accommodated comfortably within the BLOG area.

We are not having any SAT-II Mock tomorrow.

Instead we will have General Meeting on Saturday at 4 pm.

Everyone MUST attend.

Mamun

Of Creative Writing and Majoring in Maths

Hello Sir,


If I could come up with fair words to apologize for not staying in touch, I would be a proper poet. My mother however, has eased the process somewhat. I can only hope that the news I bring you will do the trick.


As you have heard from my mother, I visited Washington DC for 'Career Exploration Day'. I got to join a group of students from Bryn Mawr and Haverford Colleges and visit four alumni in their respective offices. The first Alumnae we met works for a thriving Non-Profit organization, the second one is a Professor at John Hopkins University and has authored books with intimidating covers on International affairs; the third alumnae works for the Department of State and the fourth one works at the United Nations Foundation. All of them gave me an odd smile when I said that I'm a Math Major and considered my Creative Writing minor to be a redeeming quality. All of them also agreed that writing is one of the most valuable skills for a student to acquire. A Liberal Arts education rarely prepares us for specific jobs, but it teaches us how to learn and adapt. There is a unique way to approach each class offered here and we learn how to figure it out every time. In essence, we learn how to learn, we learn how to write and that's about it. But these alumni made sure we realize how powerful this makes us.


In other news, being bilingual has incredible benefits. I am sure you realize this better than I do, but growing up with two different languages makes possible the formation of unique stylistic strategies and a finer control over articulation. My Creative Writing professor, J. C. Todd is beginning to develop an appreciation for the Bengali Language, for Tagore and for Bangladesh and I refuse to be modest in my claims for being a part of this.


The past two years at Bryn Mawr have been insane to say the least. I went from being the girl who never leaves her house to the Bryn Mawr lady who spends each day of Fall Break in a different city (I kid you not). None of this was easy and I'm not sure if I would to do this again given the chance, but I'm here now. I am deeply in love with Bryn Mawr and frighteningly indebted to you.


I hope for all your wishes to materialize. If there is anything I can do for you, please let me know.


Thank you Sir,
Anika

PS:


Note the perfect graphology.


Mamun

Working times in the next 3 days

I was sort of disoriented for some reason. I will meet with those who already sent request through mail and sms.

Please do come in the following times.

Morning: 8-10
Evening: 4 - 7

I must also remind you all that on Wednesday and Thursday we will have 3 SAT-II Mocks starting from 9 a.m.

I would appreciate if you participate. We could have a SAT-II discussion day on Friday from 10.15 - 12.15.

But this discussion day can also be decided later when we meet for the MOCK.

Mamun

Thursday whole-day Class and Others

I have already posted the contents of our Thursday class. I intend to start the class at 9.00 am sharp - so that all of us can avoid the rush hour. Bring some food/money for lunch. Carry Water.

It would be excellent if you let me know through a mail that you are attending.

The class ends at 3.30 pm and during this 6 long hours I will go through all the things that make the SAT-I preparation. All of you are being DEARLY requested to read all our posts in the last two months as preparation for the class.

Do NOT forget to bring our SAT Handbook / Stress-book.

Has any one of you received any View-book/Brochure/Prospectus from any College/Univ. If yes, do bring those to the class.

You all know by this time that the SAT-I scores are coming out on the 20th - a week away. However, those who are thinking of suspending Application preparation till the October Scores are out - are advised that October Scores are not going to be the deciding factor. Rather you should start working now.

Most of the Schools are now prepared to provide required papers to individual students regarding Application. Make use of this opportunity at an early hour.

Make sure that you are taking care of the following matters in addition to the things you have already been advised.

1. Some Universities require to have signatures of Student Counselor (either Principal or anyone else in charge) on the Supplementary Form.
2. Some University do NOT use common app for application. For example: Caltech. You have to take Counselor Signature on their OWN Application Paper.
3. You can use EITHER Common App OR Universal App Form. 

SAT-II Literature Students

I know that the following students are going for SAT-II Literature. I would like to sit with you in a 2-3 hours class next week.

Students who are going for Literature SAT-II Exam:

Romana, Sadia Majid, Mehruba - is there anyone else? Please let me know through an email.

The Arab Spring - An Assessment in Progress / Akila's Post

Hello Sir,

I wanted to let you know that I watched 'Doctor Zhivago'. It is a beautiful movie. The frequent renditions of  'The Internationale' left me spellbound and very enthusiastic, as it always does. It's turning to a very favorite tune of mine, along with Vivaldi's spring. Lara was, as expected, magnificent, ravishing,gorgeous and an inspiring female in so many ways. I loved how she portrayed femininity and grace without being too tender and delicate. (She reminded me of Suchitra Sen for some reason). Such a lady! But, Yuri Zhivago was my personal favorite. He has established himself in my list of favorite characters. I have become almost as fond of him as of the picture-perfect Mr. Darcy. Pasha shows us how people change. His transformation from the boyish idealist to a ruthless leader is startling. How planned and well crafted the movie is! I started watching 'Lawrence of Arabia' on the flight to Dubai, but couldn't finish it. Now, I want to watch it too as I'm quite awed my Mr. David Lean's work. The length of the movie did dissuade me not to watch it at first. But, time really flew at some portions, while at others moved at normal or at a slightly slow pace.

One thing which left an impression was the situation after the revolution. I think of myself as an idealist. The wrong must be righted. Oppression should not be borne in silence. I admire revolutionaries a lot. Their courage, sense of purpose and duty, need for freedom and vision inspire awe and ignite belief in me, even if I'm not much familiar with the agenda they are working on. The movie imparted that my idealistic world is like Han's Cristian Anderson's tales. At the end, "all was well" never happens. It's sad how men succumb to the temptations of power. The radical revolutionaries soon become orthodox dictators. The revolution soon becomes an old, forgotten tale. The previously oppressed now gloat as oppressors. How pathetic!

I wonder what will happen after the 'Arab Spring'. Who would be the new anarchist autocrats in the cloak of democracy?

A trivial fact: Julie Christie portrayed Madame Rosmerta in the third Harry Potter movie. It took me quite a while to grasp this.

I must thank you for introducing me to this film and director. I am interested in classics but might have ignored a tale based on Russia. My limited knowledge of Russia comprised of Lenin, Maria Sharapova and her tennis comrades, ballet, it's climate and vegetation, the vibrant Saint Basil's Cathedral and probably a bit more. 'War and Peace', 'Anna Karenina' and this movie are thankfully relieving me from this dangerously blissful ignorance.

Another question, why are the domes of russian churches so similar to that of our mosques? Has this got anything to do with the Ottoman influence, or Rome?

Financial Aid issue for 2011-12 Session

Some of the Coll/Universities are asking for early submission of Financial Form [the ill-famous College Board CSS Profile]. It can be as early as December 15.

Students should start "Approaching" parents and ask for making Tax Papers of 2010-2011 available for filling up the CSS Profile.

This is a task that will take up a lot of time. You are advised to use your own Common Sense in filling up the form and REFRAIN from taking any advice from anyone who is has no experience of Admission Process.

SAT Continuing Classes + SAT-II Preparations + Others

Dear All,

Today morning, a large number of our test-takers were absent. This again shows that we are taking unusually long time to wake up after the first exam. This is a Cautionary Note: You must not slack off as we will continue working in this fashion till the end of this month - and that'll be all.

Summary of Classes this Week:

Tuesday [Tomorrow]: Sit with individual students - ask for appointment by SMS. Details given below.

Wednesday: Undecided

Thursday: SAT-I Review Class for 5 hours - details given below. 

Friday: Undecided

Saturday: Closed
Sunday: SAT-II Mock on 3 Subjects followed by Discussions. 

As part of our regular class we will have a series of classes on Tuesday when I will sit with individual students to discuss the following:

1. Student's plans for the next 5 weeks. A mail regarding this thing is most welcome.
2. Answer queries regarding the collection of School-sponsored papers including -
• Recommendation Letter Drafts
• Schools' Requirements
• University Selection
• Univ/College documents that require School Councilor's Signature
• Pre-application for the Freshman Application
3. SAT-I preparation - Final Exam in December take.

This is also to inform that on coming Thursday we will have a 5-hour class starting from 8.30 am which, I intend to make as a First SAT-I Review Class. Here we discuss Vocabulary, Writing Section Usage, Essay Writing (Final Strategies), Review of Reading Materials, Maths Review [@-:(] - Phew!!!

Please send me your own schedule before you show up. 

SAT-II class on Monday / Sunday Class Cancelled

I received several requests to take the Sunday class to Monday as a few of the students are going to School on Sunday.

Therefore, we will have 3 hour test on 3 Subjects on Monday - starting from 8.30 to 11.30 am.

If there is any other suggestion - please let me know.

On Tuesday I will sit with individual students.

5 Revealing SAT-I Exam Reports

Post from Durdana:

My SAT exam went very well till the 6th section but afterwards I felt a weird kind of tiredness, especially in the ten minutes section. Instead of speeding up my work I felt like going slower. My eyes were getting gloomy and hindering reading text. I finished it on time nonetheless. I found the math and the writing sections very easy but faced a little problem in managing time in the critical reading sections. I think I need more practice. The essay topic was not of the standard I was expecting but I still had problems looking for befitting examples. I think the first exam experience will help overcome problems in the next sitting. I wish I had opportunity to sit for more reasoning tests.

Post from Sarah:

Before the test date, I was confident about my speed to a certain degree. However on the test day, I found myself struggling to complete the math sections. Time was the only major setback for me. But I realized later that it was probably the new surroundings and slight stress of giving an exam that were slowing me down. Hopefully this problem will not arise in the December exam. Another unforeseen issue that arose on the test day was that I had problems with the pencils I had taken with me. I had been using three of the pencils I had taken with me for about a week before the exam and I ended up sharpening them over and over again. The blunder I made was that I had not checked whether the other 9 pencils I had taken with me were dark enough. Ofcourse they were all 2b pencils, but nevertheless, this mistake culminated in mounting frustration throughout the exam. I will definitely not make such a silly mistake in the upcoming tests. Fortunately I had no problems regarding health and concentration.

I have registered for the SAT II subject tests in Math IIC, Chemistry and Physics.

Post from Asif: [little editing added]

There was a strange feeling inside me, as if I am not going to make it this time and may as well end up at the back of the line. Waking up was a very big problem for me, as I could not sleep till 12 am the night before. .

Turning on the car air conditioner seemed to be a major factor, without which, our body will lose a good amount of salt with the sweat, crucially needed during the exam, as a snack before entering the test was not allowed. Thankfully, I was wearing very comfortable clothes, making it very easy for me to end up with full body power. Thank you for this advice beforehand.

The problems I faced during my exam, from the beginning till the end are:

• They make us write a lot of things, in a lot places all around the answer paper and also the question paper, which made it really difficult for me to make use of the opportunity I got, to see the essay question and think about it.
• Should have taken water with me. I forgot about water as I rushed out of my house, thinking more about the exam; a very big mistake. Fortunately, there was water and took little of it.
• Math sections are very crucial for the overall exam confidence, as they gave sums which were arranged from easy to difficult. Everything went fine fine except for the last section of Math - where I got stuck, and it really did affect my morale.
• Noise. People outside were acting as if they were hired to distract us. Really gets annoying when giving such a time tied exam.
• The Critical Reading sections were all over not that shaky, but the writing parts were surprisingly not that good. Maybe practising more Critical Reading than Writing will help. Will have to fix that before the retake in December.

Post from Sukanya:

Sir,

My SAT exam was ok- neither good nor bad. Actually it was below my expectation. The most difficult task was finishing in time, especially the critical reading sections. I finished the maths sections on time because I left out questions which I felt I couldn't complete in time. The writing section was pretty good. But my major problem was the CRITICAL READING section. While preparing for SAT2 i would revise as much as critical reading as possible. Life seems to be swamped with hordes of studies but day by day I am getting used to it.

Post from Akila:

Hello sir

The exam was unsatisfactorily but expectedly 'just o.k.', as I mailed
you before. A few things popped into my mind later on. Firstly, the vocabulary questions were delightfully easy. I think I had confusion in only 2/3 words out of 10/11. The maths were comparatively difficult.

The first writing section was average, with the exception of one
question: it asked us which of a,b,c,d, and e would be best o include
after sentence 4. None suited the context particularly.

A few SAT-I TEST Reports

Post from Zami:


The exam was much easier than I had anticipated. The vocabulary questions of the Critical Reading section, had me worried for months. But during the exam I found them unexpectedly easy. The Writing section was pretty straightforward as well. The only problems I did have was the Math Section, there were some very tricky questions at the end of each section that took most of my time, I even went back to them during the free time I had after the other sections. The essay topic was also a bit stingy to my mind, but I managed to tackle it somehow.


Post from Prianka: 


I think the critical reading section went alright and I had full concentration on all the passages unlike last time,the writing section was alright too I think where I got a lot of time to plan and find references for the essay but the maths section was just horrible. My experimental section was maths and by the time I reached my fourth section of maths I was quite frustrate.I could not finish them on time as a result I left out six questions.The maths did seem much harder than the ones I faced in my last SAT exam. 


Post from Protik:


The October 1st SAT exam didn't go as I would have liked. I was having trouble with time. I need to read more items everyday to accelerate my reading speed. I will be working on it as I prepare for SAT II. I do not expect a very high score this time. But this test has been a good indicator of what the real SAT is like. It has made me more cautious for the December Exam.

Post from Sadia Jeny:


I was physically fine on test day and the invigilators gave us three breaks (each after consecutive two sections).I had less problems with vocabulary on test day(unexpectedly);I got four math sections,one of which was the experimental section.Maths at the beginning were easy but from lets say no.17 they became very logical and time seemed to run away from me.Nevertheless I completed them.Critical reading passages were lengthy and slightly easier,I mean the answers looked predictable,but you never know what's right in SAT.Writing was alright for me except section 10 where time was very short and questions too many.I didn't get much time to recheck all my answers during the test.


Post from Tanzid:

The exam was better than I had expected. I was tensed and had very little sleep on the night before the exam (the same thing also happened before my first AS exam).The math and writing sections were not difficult. The essay topic was bland and I had a hard time figuring out some good points to put into it. Out of the 3 critical reading sections, the first one was the hardest and I lost my focus several times because of all the noise. I think it was partly due to the fact that I was unaware of the SAT exam condition of Notre Dame College and I was seated right under the invigilator's nose . Now that I am aware, I will have a head start on the December SAT-1 exam (I also hope that I get one of those seats at the back).

4 Posts Yesterday - & a few other URGENT matters

TOP NOTE: 
There is no connection between your Undergrad Major and the Subjects that you take for Subject Test. So, you can take Literature + U.S. History and apply to the Physics/Biomedical Engineering. 
           This information is intended for a large number of students who had been asking me all sorts of Wild-Wild-Wild questions regarding these. 
SO - please no more queries on this issue.


There had been 5 posts yesterday.

1. Protik - TOEFL Score
2. "Ami aar partesi na"
3. Finding the Voice and Others + Additional Notes
4. Sample SAT-II Scheduling [V. V. Imp Post]

This is also to draw all's attention to the following issue. Although these issues had been repeated Over-and-Over again in the class - I am still receiving inquires regarding these issues.

1. Everyone is going to RE-take SAT-I exam in December 2012. Out target score will be to go beyond 2050 [with at least a 630 in Critical Reading + 750 in Maths + 700 in Writing]
2. We will send our Application Packs by the end of December by POST. 
3. If any result comes out in Jan/Feb - we can send the result by e-mail or Fax to the relevant coll/univ.
4. You can take 2 SAT-II subject tests. However, this year I am suggesting everyone to take 3 Subjects.
5. SAT-II subject test preparations should be COMPLETED in the next 2 Weeks. You should work on Application at the same time.
6. There will be only 14 days between SAT-II test date on 19th November and SAT-I Re-take on December 3rd. So, it is strongly advisable that you keep a SOFT practice on SAT-I items.
7. Everyone is requested to send me a short report on the SAT-I exam that was held on the 1st October. I am posting a sample report for everyone to see. But actually choose whatever approach you want. 

Sample SAT-I report

Among the problems I had on the test day, the 3 most hectic ones were:

1. I became really very tired by the 7th section, and was having considerable back-pain.
2. I had a lot of problems in the critical reading section. Please suggest remedy. 
3. I could not finish in time.

I am working on the vocabulary as i dont want to have any mistakes in the fill in the blank questions, but I am still not sure how to improve my scores in the critical section and tackle the time factor. 

Sir i have finished registering for the November and the December  exams. 

Comment on the above Report

1. The issue of getting tired had been mentioned several times. The issue can be tackled with proper posture and practice.
2. There is no REMEDY. One can ONLY improve by constantly working with Crit Reading. However, before the December exam we MUST finish all major tests at least 2 more times.
3. The TIME is so fundamental that we need to develop a large number of strategies to tackle this. Most of these strategies had been discussed in the class.
4. Working/Learning Vocabulary at home is a complete WASTE of time - the time can be better employed with increase and diversifying of Reading Items from the Web. Those who Engage their precious time for learning Vocabulary - will do so at their own Discretion - they are advised NOT to discuss this matter with me. 
5. You must also know that ALL necessary words will be practiced in the CLASS.
6. "still not sure" - this particular phrase in the above Report shows that the writer is fond of Automated/Cliched use of the language and that the writer is COMPLETELY unaware of the strength of individual words. The very concept of working towards SAT is thus frustrated. 
7. Nevertheless, I thank Aaquib for sending me his responses regarding the test.
8. Those who already sent their SAT-I test report need NOT send it again. 

Protik TOEFL - Score

Dear Sir,

I just received my TOEFL score. The total score is 114.

This is the breakdown.

Test	Test Date	Reading	Listening	Speaking	Writing	Total
TELXML	Sun Sep 25 08:51:08 EDT 2011	28	30	28	28	114

Protik

Ami ei 'funny' tagging-er jalai aar partesti na - someone should rescue me.

On a lighter note!

Finding the Voice and Others

Dearest Sir,

I do not consider my last summer to be worthy because I could not spend much time with you and share my thoughts. Anyways, there is always a next time, though it seems far away but we will get there if we survive. I am taking two literature classes this semester and every time I go to those classes, I can not help but think of you and your classes. It makes me feel alive to hear my own voice in class. My professor once told me ' so you found your voice'... after hearing it, I was wondering my voice, where was it.. it was always there and now I finally learned to use it.. I can not help but think when I read Chopin, Ibsen, Yasmina Reza ( yes my long lost sister ;p) , Edgar Alan Poe and many other literary bodies.  reading their writings makes me think more about life..

The best part about my college life is that I can finally breathe in open air..something that I could not do back home.. I had to travel thousands of miles just to breathe freely.. 

Nabila

Additional Notes:

"Finding your own voice" at the application essay can mean a difference between a very strong-honest-convincing writing and an essay that is rather a "faceless persona".

A fine essay that will earn you your admission-financial aid in the US can ONLY come as a result of accepting a lot of struggle - without being pushed for it.

I am sure that all of us who will work through these coming 90 days will enjoy the aftereffects of the SHOCK at least few MEANINGFUL decades that lay all of you.

In solidarity,

Shahidul Mamun

Sample SAT-II Scheduling

24th Oct	*Mathematics Diagnosis Test (from any of the books)	*Princeton Book review: (Arithmetic, Algebra, Plane Geometry, Solid Geometry, Coordinate Geometry).	*Physics Review from Princeton New Edition. (Mechanics)
25th Oct	*Princeton Book review: (Trigonometry, Functions, Statistics and sets, Miscellaneous.)	*Princeton review Mathematics Subject Test 1.	*Physics Review from Princeton New Edition. (Mechanics)
26th Oct	*Princeton review Mathematics Subject Test 2. Full Princeton revision. * Problem Identification.	*Kaplan Mathematics Test 1. Sparknotes Book review: (Trigonometry, Functions, Statistics, Miscellaneous math) *Solutions for problems from Princeton.	*Physics Review from Sparknotes. (Modern Physics, Quantum Physics, Optics)
27th Oct	*Kaplan Mathematics Test 2. *Sparknotes Book review: (Statistics, Solid Geometry, Coordinate Geometry Plane Geometry, Algebra, Arithmetic)	*Sparknotes Problem identification. *Sparknotes Test 1.	*Physics Review Test from Princeton New Edition. Subtle revision of the books.
28th Oct	*The result day. *Sparknotes full revision.	*Sparknotes Test 2. *Sparknotes Test 3	*Physics Review Test from Sparknotes.
29th Oct	*Sparknotes Test 4 *Sparknotes Test 5	Undecided.	Undecided.
30th Oct
31st Oct
01st Nov

Our Meetings/Classes this Week - in Details

Tomorrow Monday we will have our first post-SAT-I meeting from 9.00 - 10.30 am. It will exclusively be on application to colleges/universities. Those who are willing to attend are requested to send me mail.

After the meeting I will sit with Samira/Raisa/Abanti/Prianka for our 2011-12 applications sessions.

It must be noted that those who are contemplating ED, should start working from today. This year the application process shall face further obstacle as there is already a feeling of political storm gathering dust. Additionally, after a 3 year cold-period, a few US colleges have decided to widen their Aid-net so as to attract more deserving international students. You should check which colleges/Univ have promised to become more accessible this fiscal year of 2011-2012.

Tuesday: Meeting with students for Application Processing (prior appointment needed)
Wednesday: Our next SAT-II class. It will be a 2 hour class from 8.30 - 10.30 am
Thursday: Meeting with students for Application Processing (prior appointment needed).