Lifelong Learning Habits: Learn, think, do, assess, and repeat to continue growth

• Cement basic study skills
• Tutorial every day–Build habit of getting started on difficult homework in the presence of the teacher. Get help so you can finish independently at home. Avoid the myths.
• Balanced self care (sleep, eat, move, laugh)
• Seize opportunities to demonstrate problem solving

Emotional Habits of Successful Teens & Adults: Building self-knowledge, self-management, and self-agency

• Actively work toward independence in small steps with parents & mentors to coach. Students need practice making complex or emotional decisions when an adult is there for guidance on the process. By giving the answer, planning everything, and making things easier, adults rob  students of the opportunity to learn and practice for independent living in college and career.
• Practice intensely until these two habits become an immediate response when you need them:
  • What Went Well
  • Notice, Name, Navigate
• Learn to seek out support when you need it (tutorial, counselor, mental health support, friends, family, and community).
  • Asking for help IS NOT a sign of weakness.
  • Knowing when and how to get help is a sign of strength and knowledge.
  • Asking for help and granting it to others is an important team skill that employers expect you to know.

Involvement that Matters in Preparing for the Future & Caring for Self

• Look for activities and classes that appeal to the real you. Consider where (in your free time) you spend your energy and find joy. What are you doing when you don’t notice time passing?
• Don’t be afraid to expand your friendship group. You will find new ones that share your interests, and you won’t lose true friends that you already have.
• Pick one or two activities and teams. You can do everything you want; you just can’t do it all at the same time. Colleges look for students who demonstrate discipline in making choices that encourage their growth.
• Colleges want to see students who pursue their interests in depth. Rather than students who scatter time and attention among many things, they look for students who know how to persist in acquiring deep knowledge and expertise in areas of interest.
• An officer title means little to college recruiters.
  • Admissions officers don’t look for students with long lists of titles; they look for students who demonstrate leadership in their actions, who show an ability to work with and influence others, and those who get things done and can write about their learning and resilience experiences. They expect students to cite specific examples in essays and interviews.
  • Writing college essays requires describing experiences that presented difficult challenges and the growth you experienced as a person and as a learner by persisting through those challenges.

Relationships: Support & Mentoring plus Learning Teamwork, Communication, Problem-Solving

• Take on responsibilities that require you to work with others (e.g., teams, group projects, clubs, family projects).
• Practice asking people you respect for advice:
  • Include fellow students, teachers, professionals in your community.
  • Develop the poise to approach with professionalism and confidence, state what you need, listen and learn, and show appropriate gratitude.
• Use tutorial as a chance to learn from other students as well as asking the teacher for help. Practicing this teamwork will prepare you to solve problems with others in your career.

Course Selection: Actively Plan Depth, Breadth, Rigor, Growth

• Challenge yourself. Know that deep learning feels challenging and that your brain captures more during challenge than it does with routine tasks. Your brain knows when to wake up and pay attention. The knowledge sticks. 
• Practice getting comfortable with challenge and learning ways to settle yourself and get the help you need.
• Identify subjects that fascinate you—where time flies by and your curiosity drives you toward more information. These are the subjects that you should pursue throughout high school.
• Don’t overload. REALLY, don’t!
  • It’s myth that universities want to see heavy AP course loads. You undermine yourself if you overextend.
  • Universities want people who can balance life, take care of themselves, learn the “soft skills” required to work well with others, as well as complete courses toward graduation.
  • Plan time carefully so that you can do well in the courses you select.
  • One or two AP classes in high school demonstrates your ability to work independently with challenging material.
  • Take courses outside of AP.
  • Demonstrate curiosity and perseverance with a line of inquiry.

Plan for Career with Options that Suit You:   College for Career,  Technical College,  Job Entry,  Gap Year,  Etc.

• Complete the 9th grade High School & Beyond Plan tasks in Naviance (a graduation requirement).
• Review College Knowledge task sheet for the year.
• Introduce yourself to our College & Career advisor. Describe  your interests and ask for suggestions for this stage in your education.

© Thriving Teens 2020