Early in 9th grade, students should get in and meet their counselors, setting the stage for a four year relationship. Teachers, administrators and counselors are always there to support students, so students need to take charge and reach out to these people! Through ongoing interactions, students obtain a better understanding of how to handle independence and responsibility.
High school success boils down to developing dexterity in three different areas: self-advocacy, time management, and a full exploration of activities. Students who focus on these three tasks seem to handle the rigors of high school much more adroitly. Encourage students to self-advocate—the minute they struggle with a concept or exam they should stick around and have a discussion with their teacher about it. Developing self-advocacy skills in the classroom is key—students who communicate with teachers about academic struggles or great enthusiasms tend to succeed in those classes.
Have a discussion with your child early in high school so they have an idea of what to focus on. Students have a lot going on in their lives— from school work to outside activities plus their social lives, so they do need some support to get themselves organized. Many high school students struggle to find a balance so it’s important to talk with your child as early as possible about the importance of focusing only on activities they love. That way the balance comes easier.
We discuss all sorts of ideas and options to help our students zero in on their passions. Every student has unique strengths and interests and it’s our job to help them figure out exactly what these passions are and what activities might further strengthen their interests. Through our one-on-one consultations & assessments we discuss various options to help them determine where their interests lie and what they can do to make themselves more compelling applicants and much more interesting people.
