With mounting pressures and expectations, the high school years can feel overwhelming- for students and parents alike.
Teens grapple with questions like: Which colleges should I apply to? What should I choose as a major? What do I really want to do with my life? What if I don ' t have a clue?
As a parent you naturally want to give advice and steer them in the right direction, but you also know it ' s a tricky balance. It ' s their life, after all, as they ' ll often remind you.
So how can you help? Encourage them to explore different interests, with no strings attached. Look for activities beyond the usual choices. Research extracurricular programs at your school, in your community, even overseas so they can see the breadth of what ' s out there. Expose them to a range of possibilities and see what they pick.
oes your teen already have a clear focus? Look for innovative programs that allow them to dig even deeper in real-world settings. Or maybe your son or daughter is shy or stuck in a rut and needs a gentle nudge to try something new? It ' s amazing how a change of scenery can inspire students and tap hidden talents. Over time they ' ll gravitate toward one thing or another, and the journey will be rich with self-discovery.