When a student is a seventh or eighth grader he may not always see the value in planning ahead. That senior year seems like a long way off. But before he knows it, he will be making plans for college. As a parent, I am realizing college plans will be in my son's future way too soon!
It is never too early to start setting goals and devising a plan to obtain them. I have a good friend whose motto is "Make a plan, and then work your plan!" He has lived his life by this - and has become quite successful I might add!
Often times I see students who get very frustrated and quit trying when life gets tough. I try to assure them that it is just like traveling to a far-away destination by car. The 'MapQuest' search has been done, the car is packed, the gas tank is full and you are ready to go. Sometimes you can make it without a hitch, and sometimes you get part way and you come upon an unexpected road block - that isn't on the 'MapQuest' detail. Then you need to stop, re-evaluate and make an adjustment. You may need to stop and ask directions, but ultimately a different route will need to taken. This can happen more than once on one trip and it certainly can be frustrating, but it doesn't mean you turn around and go back home. In most cases, people realize how much they want to arrive at their destination and make it a priority to find a way to get there, regardless of the detours.
Life works in exactly the same way. Students simply need to keep in mind that there is more than one way to reach a goal, no matter how many detours they might need to take along the way. They need to make reaching that goal a priority. It is also important to keep in mind it is perfectly okay to change the goal - as long as there is a plan to make it happen.
Here are a few links that may give students and parents some simple guidelines to follow through the high school years. So you can start 'making a plan and working your plan.'
Senior Year
Junior Year
Sophomore Year
Freshman Year
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