RSC - Blog-138 http://www.collegeprepexpert.com Blog-138 Wed, 22 May 2013 03:19:32 +0000 http://www.collegeprepexpert.com/ en weekly 1 Blog Posting How to Overcome 8th Grade Obstacles to College Prep http://www.collegeprepexpert.com/blog/college-prep/how-to-overcome-8th-grade-obstacles-college-prep http://www.collegeprepexpert.com/blog/college-prep/how-to-overcome-8th-grade-obstacles-college-prep#comments 2012-04-11 06:00:00 High-school juniors wake up and realize that college is coming and they better get ready. They rush to visit campuses, sit through SAT prep courses, research colleges, and stash away cash from a part-time job.
 

Now imagine trying to do all that in the 8th grade. Well, you should, because that’s the best time to begin college prep.

 

Throw the old ideas out the window. Junior year is too late to start. Consider these ideas to motivate your 8th grader to get ready for college now.

 

5 Ways to StartCollege Prep in 8th Grade

 


  1. Distractions. You can probably name a dozen ways forkids to get out of college prep: video games, TV, Facebook, texting, etc., etc. Counter this by having them set up a time-management schedule and making sure they stick to it. Many of our students find they actually have more time for things they love because they’ve schedule them. They get their school and prep work out of the way without constant “reminders,” cutting out stress and letting them enjoy their free time without interruption.

  2. Motivation. Ending distractions isn’t the same as getting your student motivated. Rewards work – if they’re specific and systematic: do this, get that. Fortunately, it doesn’t just have to be money. Students can be motivated by many things.

  3. Direction. Even students eager to start college prep often lack direction. If their education has a purpose – like a specific career, college, major, test score, etc – they’ll do better. People who know what they’re working toward keep working.

  4. Fear. Students often worry about trying new things. They’re afraid of the unknown; it won’t be cool, no one else will do it, etc. That often changes once they start. The best way to overcome fear is to act. To get involved. They may even find that their friends, who could be falling behind in their college pursuits, will join them. Not acting early lets opportunities slip by, increasing their college fears.

  5. Objections. Sometimes, no matter how hard you try, students just “don’t want to do it,” usually because it’s “boring,” or “isn’t helping them.” In that case, students should discover the ways they learn. They need to find ways learning can be exciting – modern, relevant, and personalized. When a student is engaged in their education, their objections disappear.


 

Take Advantage of Educational Opportunities

 

Perhaps nothing is more frustrating than realizing a great opportunity has passed you by and there’s nothing you can do about it. Education is one of those things. At a time when colleges are looking at all four years of a student’s high-school record, you can’t go back and recapture missed opportunities in 8th, 9th, or 10th grade. You need to seize the moment when you can.

 

Among the opportunities students miss are:

 

·        failing to become activity leaders

·        taking the right classes

·        becoming a great candidate at their top colleges

·        not getting enough financial aid

 

Don’t make these mistakes. Take action and get your student ready for college when it will do them the most good: now.


 


 
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