Guide to Freshmen Year
High school is not the time to back off and just allow students to succeed or fall as they will. They need their parents as much as ever. They will be making big decisions that will affect their futures and, whether they admit it or not, they will be looking to you for guidance (and please know that we stand ready to help you!). Be sure to ask about their classes, how they are doing and in what arrears of interest they are choosing to be involved.
When a student becomes a freshman, everything starts to "count" Freshman grades are used in determining GPA (grade point average) and freshman activities, honors, and awards can all be listed on college and scholarship applications. Freshman courses, grades and credits all become part of the student’s official education record (transcript).
Freshman year is important in establishing strong study habits and study skills. Make sure that you see all interim/progress reports and report cards. Provide encouragement and support, making certain that your son or daughter understands that freshman grades are very important. Check PowerSchool regularly for details on your son or daughter’s attendance, tardies, homework and grades.
Statistics show that high school students who are involved perform better academically than those who are not. Encourage your son or daughter to become involved in a wide variety of activities. In addition to asking students to list their high school activities, many college and scholarship applications ask for evidence of leadership. If your son or daughter has leadership potential, encourage him/her to develop these skills by being an officer of a club. Depth of involvement in an activity (e.g. four years in a club, yearbook, sport, etc.) is also important because it shows focus and commitment, although freshman year can be a time of exploring. Any type of volunteer work or community service is helpful on college applications.
Believe it or not, by the time your son or daughter is a senior, applying to college, they will have difficulty remembering what they did as a freshman. It is a good idea at this point for students to begin building their personal resume. This requires record of anything that they have done; for example, any school activities, religious organizational participation, or community activities with which they have been involved. Encourage them to play a leadership role if you can! If they receive any awards or have held any type of job, include those on the resume. This will be immensely helpful in the junior year when your college counselor asks you tell him/her all the wonderful things your son/daughter has done.
Summers are also important. Help your son or daughter plan meaningful activities for the summer. Many excellent summer programs are available on college campuses. However, do not feel the need to exhaust your budget on expensive programs. Many of the core traditional summer activities can also be very worthwhile. Your son or daughter could, for example, join an athletic team, take a course, mow yards, baby-sit, perfect a skill, take lessons, develop a hobby, read, and /or volunteer at a local hospital, nursing home, homeless shelter, blood bank, etc. Help your freshman begin to plan for the future by keeping track of all involvement.