The Deanly Chat: The Sophomore Year Conundrum

Posted by College Route Map on Wednesday, October 30, 2019

1. Check in with your student regularly around social issues and concerns. The sophomore year tends to be a rough emotional year for many. They are no longer the newbies, yet can have little social standing, making year a bit rough. You may likely see this pattern repeat itself in college as well. 
2. Encourage your student to take the most realistic course load for which they are likely to be challenged and simultaneously excel. In doing so, help your student find spaces and environments where they can study successfully. 
3. Encourage your student to develop an affirmative approach to their presence on social media.
4. Read about the US university admissions process. Consider Frank Bruni’s Where You Go Is Not Who You’ll Be (Grand Central. 2015, available at Amazon and on other websites)
5. Provide positive encouragement and support. This includes prompting your student to seek out additional help as necessary so as to not flounder when comprehension or understanding are not coming easily for your student. Avoid doing the work for your student, rather help by providing resources and coaching to have your student learn how to advocate and gain confidence in themselves. Resources and coaching can take many forms from simple encouragement,  communication from the high school counselors, test prep tutoring, etc.
6. Many 4-year colleges and universities require the SAT or ACT. Take a diagnostic to determine which exam is best for your child and begin preparation for one or the other in the spring. Encourage your student to take the PSAT and/or the PLAN, if offered by their school. Continue thinking about SAT Subject Tests as they correlate to your academic courses, like chemistry or world history. MOBILIZE THEIR POTENTIAL. Inspire them to try new things and take smart risks. In other words, encourage them to go beyond just following a list of what to stay away from. Help your student explore extracurricular activities inside and outside of school to find those that interest and excite them. Exploration of interests also can mean supporting students when they lose interest in an activity as much as when they want to try something new. Additionally, this is the year to start encouraging your student to try on leadership roles within their extracurriculars that they enjoy. Starting small can be helpful, such as historian or controller.
7. Read as much as you can! Be a role model to your student. Reading for enjoyment is not only a precursor for college admissions but for success in college as well. Encourage your student to read for enjoyment as well.
8. When the time comes, help your student plan a challenging third-year course load, appropriate for demonstrated skills and academic progression ( watch our attached Facebook Live video for examples).
9. Continue to provide a safe space for them to fail. This may seem scary but I can’t emphasize enough how important it is for high school students to learn from failure while they are still at home. This is an excellent time to help them learn the 80/20 rule that Jeff prescribes to: if it is 80% the fault of others, there is still something I CAN DO DIFFERENTLY and it’s important I learn what that would be.  
10. Begin the process of researching possible colleges by buying a college guide for the family such as the Fiske Guide to Colleges or by looking at schools of interest online and on social media. If your family is traveling, try to see a few colleges along the way.
11. Encourage your student to save copies and samples of their best papers and work in the arts (if applicable) for potential use later on. 
12. Discuss with your student the importance of scheduling a third-year course load that is both challenging and realistic for them.
13. Help them plan to use their summer wisely. Encourage your child to make healthy choices as they try new things and learn new skills. If they have a chance to work at a summer job, that is a great opportunity for them to build their confidence and understand the value of work.  They may want to consider local volunteer opportunities at a local community center, participating in a study abroad program, a research project, an academic program at a university campus, or dive more deeply into one of your interests.
14. Finally, always encourage your student to try new activities and look to engage them with new and eye opening conversations and experiences!

The Deanly Chat  consists of original pieces by Dr. Jeff Ederer and Denise Kupetzconversations with and stories by professional colleagues who are experts in their fieldFacebook Live eventsDiscussion and answers about college admissions and student success (If you have a question you want answered,    click here  ) Discussion and editorials about current events in educationOccasional pieces that don’t fit a prescribed structure.