by Shelley Tzorfas
Question: How do I assist my homeschooler/teenager select the right college and/or career?
Answer: Pay attention to smaller factors, such as weather, time, and how they affect your child.
In today's world, most kids rely on glossy websites and pamphlets when choosing a college. Often what we don't see is more important than what we do see. For example, your teenager might look at colleges in cold climates. If your child likes snow sports, then that is fine, but if they dislike cold weather and frigid temperatures, then your child is limited to a few indoor sports or programs. Unfortunately, many of the kids end up socializing in local bars. I am not against kids going legally to a bar, however, some nearby towns offer bars as the mainstay of meeting places. Some of the youth become dependent on those places and situations.
Equally important, is to have the child recognize their own natural rhythms and timing. Let's say that your child is interested in becoming an attorney, like one of their family members. It sounds like a logical choice, because he or she reads well, and certainly argues well, yet they like to sleep late in the mornings and prefer to wear casual attire, such as jeans. Do they realize that they will often be expected to arrive to the courts by 8 a.m.? Do they know that they will be required to wear professional attire for most of their career? Are they thinking in their best interest long-term?
Once again, time and temperature might seem like minor details, but for making "life choices" they should be major considerations. A simple method is to have your teen make a list of every day likes and dislikes. Once they can discern what matters, then they can choose colleges and careers that reflect their ideal lifestyle.
I have seen kids drop out of a college thinking they didn't like it, when in reality they did not know how they factors influenced their decision to quit.
The environment is very important. Some kids return with their degrees in hand, yet the do not get jobs in the career they are trained for. Some kids return to their own home town, only to feel that they no longer fit in.
Perhaps your teen loves music or art. Parents often worry about how kids with those majors can earn a living after earning their degree. If your teen likes people, creativity, music, dance, or art, they can manifest successful careers in areas that are not so obvious. They can consider becoming an art or music therapist. They can work in schools, hospitals, or even private practice, utilizing their creativity. As a music or dance therapist, they can help children with special needs, people recovering from accidents, or senior citizens. The need for these occupations is growing and can provide the college degree student an edge in today's career marketplace. There are fewer schools that offer these programs, but it is well worth looking into.
In conclusion, you can assist your student by helping them look beyond their college years into creating a fulfilling future.
SHELLEY TZORFAS is the Founder of Specialized Tutoring/Learning Assessments, and has been tutoring students with ADD, ADHD, Dyslexia as well as undiagnosed kids for nearly twenty-five years.
Shelley views Dyslexia as a "processing of information problem, either in the visual, auditory or kinesthetic mode," and strives to educate the general public about learning disabilities.Like other dyslexics, Shelley has had varied, successful careers. These range from appearing on a PBS documentary, and exhibiting artwork in museums. She is currently writing a book on learning differences.
Shelley, nee Gelfman, is a single mother of two boys and lives in New Jersey. She is available for consultation and/or tutoring, and may be reached at her website at www.betterschoolresults.com . Her email is stzorfas@gmail.com , phone number is (908) 735-9053.
Question: How do I assist my homeschooler/teenager select the right college and/or career?
Answer: Pay attention to smaller factors, such as weather, time, and how they affect your child.
In today's world, most kids rely on glossy websites and pamphlets when choosing a college. Often what we don't see is more important than what we do see. For example, your teenager might look at colleges in cold climates. If your child likes snow sports, then that is fine, but if they dislike cold weather and frigid temperatures, then your child is limited to a few indoor sports or programs. Unfortunately, many of the kids end up socializing in local bars. I am not against kids going legally to a bar, however, some nearby towns offer bars as the mainstay of meeting places. Some of the youth become dependent on those places and situations.
Equally important, is to have the child recognize their own natural rhythms and timing. Let's say that your child is interested in becoming an attorney, like one of their family members. It sounds like a logical choice, because he or she reads well, and certainly argues well, yet they like to sleep late in the mornings and prefer to wear casual attire, such as jeans. Do they realize that they will often be expected to arrive to the courts by 8 a.m.? Do they know that they will be required to wear professional attire for most of their career? Are they thinking in their best interest long-term?
Once again, time and temperature might seem like minor details, but for making "life choices" they should be major considerations. A simple method is to have your teen make a list of every day likes and dislikes. Once they can discern what matters, then they can choose colleges and careers that reflect their ideal lifestyle.
I have seen kids drop out of a college thinking they didn't like it, when in reality they did not know how they factors influenced their decision to quit.
The environment is very important. Some kids return with their degrees in hand, yet the do not get jobs in the career they are trained for. Some kids return to their own home town, only to feel that they no longer fit in.
Perhaps your teen loves music or art. Parents often worry about how kids with those majors can earn a living after earning their degree. If your teen likes people, creativity, music, dance, or art, they can manifest successful careers in areas that are not so obvious. They can consider becoming an art or music therapist. They can work in schools, hospitals, or even private practice, utilizing their creativity. As a music or dance therapist, they can help children with special needs, people recovering from accidents, or senior citizens. The need for these occupations is growing and can provide the college degree student an edge in today's career marketplace. There are fewer schools that offer these programs, but it is well worth looking into.
In conclusion, you can assist your student by helping them look beyond their college years into creating a fulfilling future.
SHELLEY TZORFAS is the Founder of Specialized Tutoring/Learning Assessments, and has been tutoring students with ADD, ADHD, Dyslexia as well as undiagnosed kids for nearly twenty-five years.
Shelley views Dyslexia as a "processing of information problem, either in the visual, auditory or kinesthetic mode," and strives to educate the general public about learning disabilities.Like other dyslexics, Shelley has had varied, successful careers. These range from appearing on a PBS documentary, and exhibiting artwork in museums. She is currently writing a book on learning differences.
Shelley, nee Gelfman, is a single mother of two boys and lives in New Jersey. She is available for consultation and/or tutoring, and may be reached at her website at www.betterschoolresults.com . Her email is stzorfas@gmail.com , phone number is (908) 735-9053.
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