As the end of senior year approaches, a widespread affliction known as senioritis begins to affect many American high school students. In this episode of Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You, we explore how to recognize telltale symptoms of the “itis,” address some of its more serious consequences, and offer practical advice for encouraging seniors to make wise choices, even as their motivation wanes. We also share strategies for striking the right balance between letting teens enjoy all the fun and excitement of senior year while emphasizing the importance of a strong academic finish. Tune in today for your comprehensive guide to conquering senioritis, overcoming high school burnout, and ensuring your teen’s success!

Key Points From This Episode:

• [0:04:03] Trademark indications that your kid has come down with senioritis.
• [0:07:41] Consequences of senioritis, from summer school to losing scholarships.
• [0:12:32] Why it’s important to discuss these consequences with seniors.
• [0:15:41] Advice for parents to help their kids make better choices.
• [0:19:01] Reasons that absences and tardiness should not be tolerated.
• [0:21:20] Opportunities to remind seniors of their place in community.
• [0:22:41] How much assertiveness and guidance is required from parents.
• [0:28:06] Why this is a special time to bond before your kids go to college.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You

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It’s May, so our seniors are heading off to college! And as the sun sets on high school, fatigue, burnout, or even simple wanderlust may lead many to explore the option of a gap year. Welcome back to Shit Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You as today, we explore the highs and lows of taking a year’s break between high school and college. After explaining why we chose today’s topic, we learn about the reasons for wanting to pursue a gap year, the first steps toward taking a gap year, the dangers of taking leave to improve your academic record, and our guidelines and best practices to carry you forward during your year off. We also dive deeper into exploring the value of a gap year, gap year pre-package programs, the power of intention, and how a gap year can also be a way for you to take the time to focus on your mental health.

Key Points From This Episode:

• [0:00:49] Why we’ve chosen to speak about gap years.
• [0:01:53] Everything you need to know for your first steps toward taking a gap year.
• [0:06:13] The reasons that kids and their families push for gap years.
• [0:08:18] Assessing the dangers of a gap year to improve your academic record.
• [0:10:23] Gap year options, guidelines, and best practices.
• [0:12:55] Understanding the value gap year, and why it can always be seen as a gift.
• [0:14:06] Gap year pre-package programs.
• [0:15:26] How to overcome the fear of falling behind.
• [0:17:32] The disadvantages of taking a gap year; why intention matters.
• [0:20:45] Gap year programs for mental health.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You

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One of the questions we hear several times a week is about applying to college. We kick off our conversation by weighing in on whether or not you should tell your high school college counselor that you are also consulting with an IEC, or private college counselor. We touch on what you should and shouldn’t disclose in your application, how many times you should take the SATs, and the role of AP scores in building your profile. Join us as we chat about all things waitlists, letters of continued interest, recommenders, and more. Lastly, we unpack whether or not it is worthwhile to add in portfolio work or any other documents that you think may strengthen your case. Tune in today to hear all this and more!

Key Points From This Episode:

• [0:01:47] What this episode is dedicated to: FAQs related to the college application process.
• [0:02:11] Should you tell your high school college counselor that you are working with an IEC or private college counselor?
• [0:05:09] Whether or not you should disclose a learning difficulty or mental health challenge.
• [0:10:24] A different perspective on the influence of disclosure on your college application.
• [0:12:00] The number of times necessary to take the SAT.
• [0:15:14] Answering whether or not you should include AP scores.
• [0:16:35] How to get off of a waitlist and whether or not it’s worth it to send a letter of continued interest.
• [0:20:03] How to choose a recommender and ask for their letter.
• [0:24:23] The appropriate number of letters of recommendation to include in your application.
• [0:28:52] Considering whether or not it is worthwhile to include a portfolio of work unrelated to the field of study.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Sh*t Your Teenagers Won’t Tell You

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