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How To Effectively Set Boundaries
What I’m telling you is, sometimes, it’s okay to choose yourself. In fact, I encourage you to do so. Let’s chalk it up to self-care. Setting boundaries is a form of self-care.
High school is a transformative period where students not only discover their passions but also lay the foundation for their future academic and professional endeavors. The transition from high school to college is a significant step with numerous moving parts. Commencing college preparation early offers a plethora of benefits, including enhancing learning readiness, refining decision-making and organization skills, fostering self-awareness, and developing the ability to navigate challenges. Whether attending a public high school, charter school, private independent school, or a boarding school, a college prep curriculum adheres to specific academic standards.
One of the key advantages of initiating college prep early is the opportunity to become an active learner, cultivate core skill sets, and chart an academic plan during high school. Once students identify the classes they need to take, they can actively participate in class, cultivate effective study habits, seek support when needed, and meet the requirements for the college or university of their choice.
Parents often find it challenging to have their children heed another request, and this is where I step in! I proudly call myself a college prep nerd, having always enjoyed researching, organizing lists, and completing applications. As a first-generation American, I had to navigate this entire process on my own. My personal challenges, coupled with my experience as a high school college counselor, have equipped me with a profound understanding of college preparation. I am confident in guiding others as they prepare to embark on their next chapter beyond high school, both academically and personally. Having a teammate in this process is invaluable for guidance and accountability, recognizing that college prep is a gradual process and not a single event occurring just a month prior.
What I’m telling you is, sometimes, it’s okay to choose yourself. In fact, I encourage you to do so. Let’s chalk it up to self-care. Setting boundaries is a form of self-care.
As an individual therapist, I can say with full honesty that I am not the perfect parent. But guess what? I don’t expect you to be either. My work comes from a place of constant learning rather than pure expertise.
Do you worry about how your teenager is doing at school? Chances are they won’t tell you, in which case, you’ll be in the frustrating position of wanting to support them but being unable to. It’s a common problem for parents as their teenage children become more independent and remote, but fortunately, there are ways around it. Follow the simple tactics below to lift those barriers and re-kindle the bond between you. Once you’ve got your son or daughter chatting, you’ll be halfway to finding out how things are at school and supporting them as need be, which will follow on naturally.