Parents of HS class of 2020

[Kellydelly]

My daughter was already inducted into NHS last spring. She is struggling with her math class currently due to a teacher that doesn't explain anything. That is not going to work when she needs to know this stuff for the SATs. I don't know how hard it is to get her into a different class but I am going to try. She is busy with dance team, studio dance, and a part time job at McDonalds. She is so much busier than I ever was at her age!

 

[Mika02]

My daughter was already inducted into NHS last spring. She is struggling with her math class currently due to a teacher that doesn't explain anything. That is not going to work when she needs to know this stuff for the SATs. I don't know how hard it is to get her into a different class but I am going to try. She is busy with dance team, studio dance, and a part time job at McDonalds. She is so much busier than I ever was at her age!

My daughter's high school chapter doesn't induct until Junior year for some reason

 

[Kellydelly]

I hate being stressed out about how important Junior year is. My college freshman was self driven and I didn't need to worry about her GPA or her SAT or ACT scores. I feel like there is so much pressure to keep up the good grades when these kids don't even really know what they want to be when they grow up! I am already harassing my 9th grader too. I really want them to enjoy being teenagers, though, so I am not sure how much to bother them about grades. Things were so different when I was in high school.

 

[Southernmiss]

I hate being stressed out about how important Junior year is. My college freshman was self driven and I didn't need to worry about her GPA or her SAT or ACT scores. I feel like there is so much pressure to keep up the good grades when these kids don't even really know what they want to be when they grow up! I am already harassing my 9th grader too. I really want them to enjoy being teenagers, though, so I am not sure how much to bother them about grades. Things were so different when I was in high school.

What helped us, was taking the kids to college planning seminars. This allowed them to hear the same message we were sending from others.

Our last of 4 is a junior. She's got the grades, has done well on the ACT and SAT, but darned if we could get her to do her school resume or start telling us colleges she'd like to visit.

We took her to a college information night last week and they reiterated the same things we've been saying. It was helpful for her to talk to the reps herself in person.

We now at least have one day this spring to visit that college.

Hopefully, we'll be able to get more dates soon.

Also, showing the kids how much college costs, how much we would contribute and how much they could get in merit aid helped them see that it's their 'job' to get good grades to earn thousands in merit $. We also said see that amount right there, it takes mom/dad xxx to earn that. Just by being a good student and earning your grades the school will give you that much $$.

 

[100AcreWood]

What helped us, was taking the kids to college planning seminars. This allowed them to hear the same message we were sending from others.

Our last of 4 is a junior. She's got the grades, has done well on the ACT and SAT, but darned if we could get her to do her school resume or start telling us colleges she'd like to visit.

We took her to a college information night last week and they reiterated the same things we've been saying. It was helpful for her to talk to the reps herself in person.

We now at least have one day this spring to visit that college.

Hopefully, we'll be able to get more dates soon.

Also, showing the kids how much college costs, how much we would contribute and how much they could get in merit aid helped them see that it's their 'job' to get good grades to earn thousands in merit $. We also said see that amount right there, it takes mom/dad xxx to earn that. Just by being a good student and earning your grades the school will give you that much $$.

Same for us. Could not get our daughter motivated to start looking at schools. We took her to the college fair a few weeks ago and now she's finally doing the research and getting excited about the possibilities.

 

[100AcreWood]

We were shocked to find out the tuition at many of the schools my dd is interested in are $30k a year. We thought we had saved a lot but we didn't save $120k! How do these schools attract so many kids - are they all attending on scholarships or accumulating student debt? I'm so curious. I can't imagine the average family could afford to spend $30k a year on school.

 

[Southernmiss]

We were shocked to find out the tuition at many of the schools my dd is interested in are $30k a year. We thought we had saved a lot but we didn't save $120k! How do these schools attract so many kids - are they all attending on scholarships or accumulating student debt? I'm so curious. I can't imagine the average family could afford to spend $30k a year on school.

$30,000 a year is pretty typical from what I've seen. Those who have been out of the college loop are in for quite a eye opener when they start this process.

Costs are crazy.

We told our kids scholarships or community college. And if you are getting scholarships, you'll go to the school from which you can graduate with the least amt of debt. So far so good. 3 boys 12 years of college and so far no debt!

 

[princesspiglet]

I graduated from college in 1996 and my yearly cost was $42k back then!! I am not surprised at the current costs at all.

 

[Mickeypooh99]

We were shocked to find out the tuition at many of the schools my dd is interested in are $30k a year. We thought we had saved a lot but we didn't save $120k! How do these schools attract so many kids - are they all attending on scholarships or accumulating student debt? I'm so curious. I can't imagine the average family could afford to spend $30k a year on school.

My college freshman is at a private school that is $75k per year. Thank goodness a large portion is paid through scholarship or he would never be able to attend. My niece and her fiancé are struggling to pay off their accumulated debt from graduating a couple years ago. In addition to saving for a wedding and a house it's not easy. They moved back in with their parents.

 

[Monykalyn]

Junior year almost half over already!
Kiddo has her ACT tomorrow morning. Due to the cold/wind chill at least she doesn't have to go march in Christmas Parade in the afternoon after test.

 

[kc10family]

I have a 2020 HS graduate as well!!! My DD doesn’t know what she wants to do as a career. Her current plan is to go to cosmetology school, then take some general classes to get an AA. Her goal is to have both of those done within 2 years. Many of her friends know what career they want, and it bothers her a little that she doesn’t. Anyone else have a child that doesn’t know what they want to do as a career?

 

[Mickeypooh99]

I have a 2020 HS graduate as well!!! My DD doesn’t know what she wants to do as a career. Her current plan is to go to cosmetology school, then take some general classes to get an AA. Her goal is to have both of those done within 2 years. Many of her friends know what career they want, and it bothers her a little that she doesn’t. Anyone else have a child that doesn’t know what they want to do as a career?

My DS doesn't know what he wants to do. School isn't his thing. He is turning 17 this month. He thinks maybe he will start out at community college. He like some outdoor activities so possibly a DNR position or something where he can be outside and active. He is a hard worker at his part time job as a cook/dishwasher and they really like him there. He has a great work ethic. He's still exploring. One good thing is we aren't stressed over ACT/SAT or GPA. Lol. It's kind of nice not worrying about it. A lot different than my oldest who is a freshman in college now.

 

[mtemm]

Hi I have a 2020 graduate as well. Wading out way through junior year. ACT done, SAT scheduled in a couple of weeks. One step closer. I wish he had a better idea as to what he wants to do but he is starting to at least make a list of colleges to visit. How is everyone else doing?

 

[Mika02]

What helped us, was taking the kids to college planning seminars. This allowed them to hear the same message we were sending from others.

Our last of 4 is a junior. She's got the grades, has done well on the ACT and SAT, but darned if we could get her to do her school resume or start telling us colleges she'd like to visit.

We took her to a college information night last week and they reiterated the same things we've been saying. It was helpful for her to talk to the reps herself in person.

We now at least have one day this spring to visit that college.

Hopefully, we'll be able to get more dates soon.

Also, showing the kids how much college costs, how much we would contribute and how much they could get in merit aid helped them see that it's their 'job' to get good grades to earn thousands in merit $. We also said see that amount right there, it takes mom/dad xxx to earn that. Just by being a good student and earning your grades the school will give you that much $$.

Same for us. Could not get our daughter motivated to start looking at schools. We took her to the college fair a few weeks ago and now she's finally doing the research and getting excited about the possibilities.

I wish my daughter would get excited or even in looking at schools she knows what she wants to do but she not interested in where she wants to it. Unfortunately talking to most schools don't help because they all have to major and It's fairly popular.

Hi I have a 2020 graduate as well. Wading out way through junior year. ACT done, SAT scheduled in a couple of weeks. One step closer. I wish he had a better idea as to what he wants to do but he is starting to at least make a list of colleges to visit. How is everyone else doing?

Ex husband and I are going to sit down this weekend with DD to plan some school visits over the next months were going to alternate so one of us will be with her brothers why the other takes her to see schools.

My daughter did her 1st attempt at the SATs in December she did well, she wants to attempt again in May but not sure if that makes sense with AP and Parcc testing around the same time. We go to meet her Guidance counselor in a few weeks to go over her schedule for next year. Her Guidance counselor is terrible encouraged her not to take the December SAT but DD had done a study course over the summer so December made the most sense.

Either way preparing for a fight with her because my DD wants to do an independent study next year tied to her major for College so I'm preparing to go over the Guidance counselor's if she's not supportive.

 

[Monykalyn]

This time next year will be countdown to graduation!
DD enrolled in 3 college credit dual enrollment classes this semester, she wants to do two wildly different majors. Art/writing/graphic design (she’s working on the portfolio) and an engineering degree (was on robotics team). She’s also narrowing down her extracurricular activities to focus more on things she enjoys- she ended up president of French club this year, not sure if she’s going to run for NHS office or not, dropping Science Olympiad next year but continuing Robotics. Her schedule makes me tired lol!

Now if I could get my Class of 2024 son more interested in planning and figuring out what he likes...

 

[Mika02]

So update my Daughter was inducted into NHS today. So proud of her for meeting her goal. She surprisingly ran for an office but lost out to an old friend but I'm still proud of her for trying. She has a few more leadership opportunities she'll be trying for and an Internship. We still need to do some college tours but it's going to have to wait closer to summer. I can't believe a year from now she'll be preparing to head off to college

 

[100AcreWood]

We are doing college tours during the break. Three down, 1 more to go. They are fun but overwhelming. We decided to cap it at 3 until we see which schools she is accepted to.
Yesterday's tour was going okay until we saw the dorms. Wow, I have seen summer camps with better facilities. The room looked like a closet. There was barely enough room for 2 twin beds with no space for anything else.

 

[Mika02]

Has anyone brought younger siblings on tours. I've seen Facebook friends who have. Unfortunately my ex is working every Saturday until summer and I'm having surgery in the next month or two so I was holding off because we can't trade off the young two.

 

[Minnie824]

Has anyone brought younger siblings on tours. I've seen Facebook friends who have. Unfortunately my ex is working every Saturday until summer and I'm having surgery in the next month or two so I was holding off because we can't trade off the young two.

yes. our youngest is a freshman, so she is going along for all of the college visits with our current junior. not planning to repeat all of this in 2 years again.

Are your kids doing both ACT/SAT or just one? we had only planned on doing SAT as it seems both are not necessarily needed but now wondering if i should have her do the ACT as well.

 

[Mika02]

yes. our youngest is a freshman, so she is going along for all of the college visits with our current junior. not planning to repeat all of this in 2 years again.

Are your kids doing both ACT/SAT or just one? we had only planned on doing SAT as it seems both are not necessarily needed but now wondering if i should have her do the ACT as well.

Yeah I definitely think my 12 year old would be ok on the tour it's mostly my 8 year old I'm concerned with

My daughter doesn't want to take the ACT. But her counselor thinks she should. I told her to go ahead and take it cold to see if she does better there then the SAT but she has made a movement so I don't know what she will ultimately do.