A How-to Guide for Second Semester Success

If you have a student who is winding down their semester and working on wrapping up independent school applications, this time of year can be tricky! Your student might be feeling anxious about starting a new adventure and bittersweet about leaving behind what’s quite comfortable. 

After supporting many students and families who are working through these challenges, we’ve outlined a few ways that you can offer support to your student during their final push of applying to private school. 

Push Them to Finish Strong

Your student is most likely excited to get started in this next stage of their academic life. Although this is great news, remind them that they do need to finish this current semester (or trimester) academically strong. Many private schools pay attention to grades from the last semester, and will also re-evaluate after year-end transcripts, too. Some schools place more emphasis than others on grades, which can affect your student's private school admission decisions. But it’s not always all about the grades! 

The most important focus towards the end of the year should be on your student’s effort! Remind them to stay focused and put their all into their last few assignments, just as they have during the rest of the year. If your student is finding the work challenging, what matters most is that they continue to stay engaged and enjoy learning. Schools want students who are learners! This engagement, despite difficulties, demonstrates what is known as a “growth mindset” and signals to the schools that students can confront challenges and make progress. 

Help Them Build Confidence

It's likely that your student is feeling a bit unsure and lacking confidence about their ability to be accepted into private schools. And let’s be honest, as parents you may also be wondering if your child will get in anywhere, too. We encourage you to talk openly about this with your student. It’s the way we as parents respond to a child’s concerns, performance, grades, project work, etc. that matters! Reacting with anxiety or displaying worry yourself will only reinforce doubt and convey that you expect failure and not success. 

Encourage your student to speak openly and confidently about their next academic step and why they might be excited! Explore what interests them and treat it as a learning opportunity. Embrace the uncertainty as a platform to learn more, as these conversations will lead to confidence!

By speaking about their private school choices with your student, the importance of continuing to learn regardless of test scores or grades will help your student to fulfill their potential. 

Remind Them That Tenacity Wins

Since your student will quickly be off on an entirely new adventure, it can be tempting for them to not give time or attention to the here and now. Whether that is friendships or relationships with people they will no longer see regularly, or trying out for the spring musical, or building a connection with a new teacher next semester. We want your students to continue to try new things, new approaches, and new strategies. Encourage them to continue to seek out help, make new friends and shake up their world a little. Why you ask? 

It’s true, they’ve spent significant time learning, studying, and competing in athletics, theatrical pursuits, music, etc. By staying content with their status quo, they may stop learning. Remember, independent schools are seeking continuous active learners. By guiding your students to new strategies and opportunities, you’ll help them grow their “tenacity muscle” and resume their learning. 
With these tips your student will be well on their way to finishing the second semester strong! If you have a student who will soon be heading to private school, what advice would you add to this list