Page 20 - Education Guide

How to inspire a teen to expand

their horizons and find their passion

GUIDE Wtions, the high

ith mounting pres-
sures and expecta-
EDUCATION school years can feel over-

whelming — 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. Brandpoint
So how can you help? En-
courage them to explore differ- Develop valuable life-long skills in a way that is not possible in an everyday classroom environment.
ent interests, with no strings After-school language clubs
attached. Look for activities provide a chance to practice
2018 beyond the usual choices. Re- conversational skills in a re-
search extracurricular programs
laxed environment while join-
FEBRUARY 18, at your school, in your commu- ing in cooking and other cultur-
nity, even overseas so they can
al activities. And bonding with
see the breadth of what’s out
other language enthusiasts
there. Expose them to a range
inspires many to want to travel
of possibilities and see what
SUNDAY, THEMORNINGCALL.COM/SPECIALSECTIONS they pick. to experience different cultures
first-hand! Larger high schools
Does your teen already have
offer more languages, from
a clear focus? Look for innova-
French, Spanish and German to
tive programs that allow them
CALL to dig even deeper in real-world Mandarin, Arabic and Japa-
nese, while teens with more
settings. Or maybe your son or
limited offerings can often find
daughter is shy or stuck in a rut
regional programs a bus ride
MORNING and needs a gentle nudge to try away. Brandpoint
something new? It’s amazing
Model UN is another valu-
how a change of scenery can
THE AT inspire students and tap hidden able program that teaches stu- Study abroad tranforms the way a teen looks at fields of study.
dents about the world around
talents. Over time they’ll gravi-
them, and builds confidence as
OF ONLINE tate toward one thing or anoth- well as leadership and commu- to nonprofits and worthy leged youth, teens grow expo-
nentially during a summer far
causes, they gain more than just
SECTION GUIDE with self-discovery. nication skills. A new activity real-world experience for their away from their usual routine.
er, and the journey will be rich
picked up on a whim may turn
college resumes. They gain
Study abroad transforms the
From local to global, there
into a lifetime source of joy or
way a teen looks at fields of
maturity, perspective, practical
are many valuable paths that
even a career. If options are
ADVERTISING EDUCATION help spark new interests while limited at school, branch out. skills and a greater appreciation study — and lifeStudying
abroad is not just for college.
for what they’ve got. Volun-
building self-knowledge, confi-
Urge your teen to get involved
teering can be customized to
More and more high school
dence and 21st century skills
in the local community, meet
students are making the leap
one’s own interests, whether it
along the way.
new people, and bond with
means walking dogs at an ani-
overseas for summer programs
Global clubs and activities
SPECIAL THIS spark interest in the world at others who share similar inter- mal shelter or building a web- or for a semester or gap year.
ests. They’ll see what’s out
site for an environmental
As many students, parents and
there in the bigger world while
large. Most high schools offer a
guidance counselors have dis-
group. Adventurous students
range of extracurricular oppor-
demonstrating to colleges and
VIEW tunities to get involved in a employers that they’re engaged can take it one step further by covered, this is an opportune
time to develop valuable life-
participating in service pro-
beyond the standard classroom
topic of interest or try out
long skills, learn a new lan-
grams abroad. Whether work-
something new, from sports and requirements. ing to raise social awareness, guage and discover career inter-
theater to robotics and debate. Service programs help teens lending a hand with environ- ests in a way that is not pos-
Many offer programs with an gain valuable perspectiveWhen mental and conservation proj- sible in an everyday classroom.
20 international theme, as well. teens offer their time and talent ect, or mentoring underprivi- Brandpoint