I spoke with a mother yesterday who has a 15 year old son that is a sophomore in high school (same as my oldest daughter.) When she mentioned that he may take the ACT or SAT in February I was a little shocked. I realize they can take it as early as the 6th grade if they want but it seems a bit overkill to me. Do they need to be stressing out about that already?
…but there is more to his story.
He is a very intelligent young man. Involved in everything from music to athletics. He’s fairly confident that he wants to go into the medical field in some way.
He has even signed up for a camp/conference this summer to explore the different possibilities in the medical field. He knows that he may not have the stomach for blood that would be necessary to be a medical doctor so is looking for other alternatives. Given his exceptional math skills, he is considering biomedical engineering.
What does this have to do with taking the ACT early?
He has recognized, probably with the help of his parents, that regardless whether he decides to pursue biomedical engineering or changes his mind and wants to become a medical doctor, if he doesn’t have the grades and the test scores to get into the best undergraduate program possible he is substantially limiting his opportunities.
It isn’t that he’s committed to one thing and ruled everything else out at the age of 15. He recognizes that he has other interests such as working with youth. He continues to explore that through a variety of activities such as coaching youth wrestling. He is aware of some possibilities, and is also well aware of what it takes to make those happens so is taking steps to keep all of his opportunities open and available to him until he makes a decision.
Over time, as he continues to experience more opportunities in these directions, he will begin to see where he fits best….or maybe something entirely new will present itself as a part of this process. Most importantly, he is actively exploring…not waiting until its time to graduate to take steps in finding a direction for his life.
Unfortunately, this doesn’t happen as easily for some as it does for others. Some haven’t even begun to recognize their strengths or interests. They don’t really see any possible directions to explore or know where to even start.
This is where parents can make a difference. Not by nagging on them with the infamous question “What are you going to do with your life?” The more we pressure kids in that way, the quicker they are just going to make a choice … a poor choice … just so they don’t have to feel us breathing down their neck about it all the time.
Our role is to actively engage in conversation about different careers as we notice them. Discussing people who have a passion for what they are doing … and those who obviously don’t. Reminding them of their various strengths and how they might be utilized in unique ways.
Not pushing. Not persuading. Not trying to influence. Just trying to help them become more aware of themselves and the rest of the world. The more this becomes a habit the more they will find themselves doing that on their own. Noticing what others are doing and how they go about doing it. Thinking about themselves in a similar role.
As important as the passive observation is to this process, even more importantly is becoming a more active participant. “Active” meaning it’s in the DOING. Not just sitting by watching. Getting involved. Trying new things. Going new places. We have to encourage them to step out of their little box that has gotten so comfortable and try it all.
Try out for the community theater that they never considered…or maybe work on the set or be an assistant to the director. Take an auto shop class. Look through the community college night classes for something new to try. Teach a Sunday school class or a summer baseball team. Go to youth leadership events and meet others from around the country and get a different perspective.
The earlier they begin to open themselves up to the unlimited possibilities the world has for them, the more opportunity they will have to explore various things before needing to make any decision at all.
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