| Author | |
Erin
Forum Moderator
Joined: Feb 23 2005
Location: Australia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5814
|
| Posted: Dec 04 2010 at 1:15pm | IP Logged
|
 |
|
Our eldest dc will be college age at the end of next year. We have always designed out own curriculum and will continue to do so. However this means we receive no outside feedback.
Dd17 is a bright girl who is self-motivated. She reads extensively, is extremely articulate and does very well in maths too. Admittedly her essay writing could do with practice but the ability is there. For some reason she has it in her mind though that she wouldn't do well academically at University?? 
I've been thinking that perhaps some outside validation could help here? Perhaps some tests or competitions? I'd love some ideas and thoughts.
At the end of January Australia's only Catholic Liberal Arts College is hosting a Summer Camp and we and her are keen for her to go. Although dd has no idea of what career path she wants to head down, nor even if she wants to attend University. That is fine too, but it is all about preparing her so all doors are open. We are encouraging her to take a gap year regardless so she has time, however I do want to address her lack of self-confidence.
__________________
Erin
Faith Filled Days
Seven Little Australians
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Angel
Forum All-Star
Joined: April 22 2006
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2293
|
| Posted: Dec 06 2010 at 7:53pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Erin, I have no idea how the educational system is set up in Australia and my oldest is only 14, but... could she take a class somewhere to get her feet wet and see what it's like? In the US, this would include taking a class from a community college or regular university (as a special student, perhaps) as a high school student. (or during a gap year).
My other thought is that, if she does decide to take a gap year, travel through a volunteer organization would be a big confidence booster. Of course, that sort of thing does require a certain amount of confidence to begin with. But I think the general principle may be to get out into the community in some way to "practice".
__________________
Angela
Mom to 9, 7 boys and 2 girls
Three Plus Two
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Willa
Forum All-Star
Joined: Jan 28 2005
Location: California
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 3881
|
| Posted: Dec 06 2010 at 9:08pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
We were in your position with my oldest three. They did everything at home and did well, but tended to be idealistic and downgrade themselves.
My oldest got a boost from doing well in the SAT exams and also from participating in various church activities -- lectoring, being part of the youth group Bible Study.
My second went to community college.
My third, my daughter took part in church activities, sang in choir, took violin lessons in her mid to late teens, took part in NaNoWriMo and other online writing adventures, and ran a blog.
I am sorry I don't have any creative ideas -- when they were that age I was overwhelmed and didn't realize their lack of outside feedback could be a problem.
It ended up resolving for all three pretty much when they went to college. It was a wake-up call for all three of them. They realized they were smarter than they had thought!
My fourth gets lots of feedback at school and through athletics....
With my fifth, who is in Grade 9, I'm putting him in Homeschool Connections classes (where he hears other students answering questions or having trouble doing so), having him take the SATs earlier than his siblings, and keeping my eyes and ears open for other ways to get him outside feedback. He also writes stories and puts them on a message board where he is a member. Later on I hope to get him apprenticed to his father who is a computer game programmer -- interning was another way that my oldest son got outside feedback which validated him, so I want #5 to get a similar opportunity since his interests are similar.
Wish I could be of more help .... I will say a prayer for your daughter, I am very sure she will do fine once she is "out there"!
__________________
AMDG
Willa
hsing boys ages 11, 14, almost 18 (+ 4 homeschool grads ages 20 to 27)
Take Up and Read
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Kristie 4
Forum All-Star
Joined: June 20 2006
Location: Canada
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1508
|
| Posted: Dec 07 2010 at 10:22am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Great question Erin....sometimes our kids will take on our fears as well (the 'my we haven't done enough writing etc. leads one of mine to think that that means they can't write well etc.)
__________________
Kristie in Canada
Mom to 3 boys and one spunky princess!!
A Walk in the Woods
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Angie Mc
Board Moderator
Joined: Jan 31 2005
Location: Arizona
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 11400
|
| Posted: Dec 07 2010 at 11:51am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Devin took a community college course over the summer after she completed her sophomore year in high school. Seeing her peers in action and receiving positive feedback, did the trick for her.
Aiden is playing baseball at a large public high school. He actually talks to other players about their studies, and he is making some honest assessments (is way ahead in literature, not where he wants to be in math, etc.) He listens to their take on classes and isn't impressed AND many (all?) players who talk to him about academics thinks that he has a sweet deal at home.
I guess you could say that we threw our children into the fire  ...when the opportunity arose...and we watched them get a little burned...then become stronger from experience.
Love,
__________________
Angie Mc
Maimeo to Henry! Dave's wife, mom to Mrs. Devin+Michael Pope, Aiden 20,Ian 17,John Paul 11,Catherine (heaven 6/07)
About Me
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
|
|
4Real Forums : High School Years and Beyond
Topic: How to Build Confidence for College?
