Welcome to high school!
When a student becomes a freshman, everything starts to “count”. Freshmen grades are used in determining GPA (grade point average) and freshmen 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 transcript (official education record).
Tips for parents:
Monitor academic progress: Make sure that you see all interim/progress reports and report cards. Do not assume that someone will contact you if there is a problem. Provide encouragement and support, making certain that your son or daughter understands that freshman grades are very important. Check our website for details on progress reports and report cards.
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 his/her leadership 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 particularly impressive on an application.
In the spring, review your son or daughter’s four-year high school plan and make certain he/she has selected the most appropriate courses for his/her sophomore year. Contact your student’s counselor if you have questions.
Help your son or daughter plan meaningful activities for the summer. Many excellent summer programs are available on college campuses. Of course, many of the “more traditional” summer activities can also be very worthwhile. Your son or daughter could, for example, join an athletic team, take a course, mow yards, babysit, perfect a skill, take lessons, develop a hobby, read, and/or volunteer at a local hospital, nursing home, homeless shelter, blood bank, etc
When a student becomes a freshman, everything starts to “count”. Freshmen grades are used in determining GPA (grade point average) and freshmen 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 transcript (official education record).
Tips for parents: