Office of College & Career Advisement » HSEF College & Career Office Message to Parents

HSEF College & Career Office Message to Parents

College Readiness
There’s more to college readiness than earning a high school diploma. The phrase “college-ready” means that a student has the knowledge, skills, and behaviors to successfully complete college courses. Preparing students for success in college and careers goes beyond the books and the classroom.
 
Academic and Personal Behaviors
Your child must also master other skills and behaviors that lead to success in college and the workplace. These behaviors can be cultivated at home and at school and can be practiced and reinforced from early childhood through young adulthood. Your child's attendance, willingness to collaborate and communicate, engagement in the school community, persistence when challenged, along with meeting the expectations of appropriate behaviors will contribute to future success in college and career.
 
Attendance
Being in school every day is the first step to success. A student who misses just two days of school a month will miss a whole month of instruction by the end of the year. School attendance is a priority, from pre-kindergarten through high school. Students who miss school tend to have lower grades, which limits their options for college and careers. If family obligations, health conditions such as asthma, or other factors make it hard for your child to attend school, talk to your child’s teacher or guidance counselor.
 
Communication/Collaboration Skills
Students work well together, express their ideas effectively, and ask for help when needed. To help your child strengthen these skills, work together to create a phone book of classmates your child can contact to when he/she has a question about an assignment.
 
Engagement
Students feel a connection to their school, are involved in school activities, and have healthy relationships with their teachers and peers. Encourage your child to participate in extracurricular activities and attend school events. Work Habits/Organizational Skills Students work well independently, are able to manage time effectively, and check their work for accuracy. You can help your child develop these skills by encouraging him/her to begin assignments as soon as they are given and by helping him/her keep school notebooks neat and organized. Your child’s notebook should have separate sections for each subject and be organized by date.
 
Persistence
Students stay focused on achieving future success even when they encounter setbacks along the way. Encourage your child to have a positive mindset and remain committed to his/her long-term goals, even when faced with obstacles. You can work on this skill at home by supporting your child when he/she is having trouble with a challenging assignment; push him/her to keep trying and to always do his/her best.
 
Self-Regulation
Students take on challenges rather than avoiding them, behave appropriately, and are able to reflect on their own conduct. You can demonstrate self-regulation for your child by showing him/her that you listen to what people have to say before saying what you want to say and you consider all sides of a problem when trying to find a solution.