No Snow Updates Here...

Happy Friday, MJTP families!

I hope this note finds you well. Here in Florida, we've been enjoying some absolutely gorgeous weather lately - clear skies, cool mornings, perfect afternoons. I had the opportunity to go inshore fishing last weekend and caught a nice snook.

But I know many of you across the country aren't so lucky right now. For those of you dealing with the snow and ice moving across the states, please stay safe and warm out there. Take it slow on those roads.

What I'm Reading: Do Hard Things by Steve Magness

I've been working through a fascinating book called Do Hard Things by Steve Magness, and a passage I read this week really stuck with me. Magness introduces a simple formula that explains how we perform under pressure:

Performance = Actual Effort / Expected Effort x Drive

Here's what struck me: that last variable - drive - is the multiplier that makes everything else possible. Whether we call it drive, motivation, or purpose, it determines how far we can push when things get hard.

Magness argues that contrary to what we might think, even when we feel completely exhausted, we haven't actually depleted our reserves. There's always more in the tank. The question is whether we have a compelling enough reason to access it.

How does this connect to test prep?

I can teach strategies. I can explain grammar rules and walk through math concepts until they make perfect sense. But the drive - that has to come from the student. My role as a tutor is to be a guide, a coach, someone who helps clear the path. But students do the heavy lifting. They're the ones who sit down to practice when they'd rather be doing something else. They're the ones who push through when a concept isn't clicking.

That's what makes this work so rewarding. When a student finds their own motivation - when they connect their daily practice to something that actually matters to them - that's when real progress happens. I can point the way, but they're the ones walking the path.

Sometimes it helps to connect the SAT to something bigger - college options, scholarship opportunities, proving something to themselves. Remember, it's a journey. Struggling through trials in life and finding the drive to conquer them are the ingredients for satisfaction. I'll leave you with this quote from the book:

When we explore instead of avoid, we are able to integrate the experience into our story. we're able to make meaning out of struggle, out of suffering. Meaning is the glue that holds our mind together, allowing us to both respond and recover.
- Steve Magness-

Upcoming SAT Test Dates

A quick reminder: the next SAT is March 14th. Registration closes February 27th, so if you haven't registered yet, now's the time.

Here's the complete schedule for 2026:

Register for the SAT at College Board

Free Vocabulary Practice

Looking for a way to build SAT vocabulary without adding another textbook to the pile? I've been creating free interactive vocabulary quizzes based on words that actually appear on official SAT tests.

These are quick, targeted, and designed to fit into busy schedules - perfect for a few minutes of practice between other activities.

Check out the free vocabulary quizzes here

As always, reach out if you have any questions about test prep, scheduling, or anything else. I'm here to help.

Best,

Mr. John
Mr. John's Test Prep