By: Debbie McDowell
October is a very busy month for students and counselors!
Seniors: On Wednesday and Thursday this week, each Senior had a quick check in with his/her counselor to review how the semester has started as well as the progress on university applications. Most seniors have already completed their “Senior Conference” with the counselor. Application deadlines are looming. Counselors encourage the student to apply as early as possible! If there are any questions about applications please encourage your child to set an appointment with his/her counselor.
Juniors: The PSAT will be given to all grade 11 students on Wednesday, 17 October. The Preliminary SAT is made up of three sections: Critical Reading, Math Problem Solving and Writing. Juniors have already received the Test Bulletin with a description of the test including a practice test. Test results will be given to students in December. The PSAT is not a test for which students should spend a great deal of time studying or preparing. Looking over the test description and practice test a few days before the test is ample preparation. Having a good night’s sleep the nights before the test and a healthy but not too heavy breakfast on the day of the test are essential to doing well on the test.
Sophomores: Grade 10 students who have completed Geometry and are currently in Algebra 2/Trig or Accelerated Algebra 2/Trig may take the PSAT on 17 October by pre-registering. The form can be picked up from Khun Mai in the counseling office. The cost for grade 10 students is 500 Baht. The deadline is 8 October.
Grade 9 and 11 students met with the Freedom from Chemical Dependency facilitators in the past two weeks. The High School Counselors met with the speakers before they departed. The FCD speakers complemented students at ISB for the healthy choices they are making. It is important that parents maintain open communication with their children about the choices with which they are faced each day. Encouraging positive choices will result in better choices. The FCD speakers pointed out that use of substances is often over exaggerated by students. Reinforcing the choice of not using will assist in correcting a skewed perception of many students that “every one is doing it.” If you have questions or concerns about your child, please speak to your child’s counselor.
Freshman Seminar: Students will meet with Mr. Harter next week to learn more about Global Citizenship Week. The meeting has been changed to Monday and Tuesday (8-9 October) from the scheduled time later in the week. Be sure to remind your son/daughter about this!
Student Stress: Last Thursday, the ES, MS and HS Counselors presented a PTA program, and led lively discussion groups on stress. Some useful perspectives on stress emerged:
- Not all stress is bad stress, and each person has a different level of “optimal positive stress.”
- Too much stress for too long does not allow “recovery time” which can lead to physiological and psychological problems: you have to have “down time” to get over the damaging neurochemical effects of stress.
- The situations and demands in our lives are the causes of stress: too much to do, not enough time to do them. Stressors can be internal (“I’ve got to get an A on this paper.”) or external (“Oh no, I have a solo to perform in the concert the night before the SATs.).
- Our subjective appraisal of a situation can determine the level of stress we feel: “I can’t get all of this done!” “I don’t know how to do this!” “This is do-able, I’ve done good research papers before.” “It’s not THAT hard.”
- Our perceived resources for meeting the demands is a major avenue for either making us feel more stressed (“I was never good at this.”), or can provide our way of effectively dealing with the demands and situations that are stressful (“I’ve got a lot to do, looks like I’m going to have to make a list and get some help after school.”)
What can parents do?
- Monitor your children’s stress level. There are three stages of stress; 1) Alarm – the reaction to the first appraisal of stressors; 2) Resistance – the flight part of the “fight or flight” reaction; and 3) Exhaustion – the feeling of constantly fighting a losing battle.
- Offer your help and support at home in terms of redefining your child’s appraisal of perceived stress in terms of the real resources available to them.
- Make sure there is “down time” – “recovery time” built into their schedule.
- Regular exercise, good dietary habits (minimize caffeinated beverages), and lots and lots of water are also helpful.
ISB is lucky to have so many excellent universities on campus to meet prospective students. Between Tuesday, 26 September and Monday, 1 October, the counselors welcomed over 100 universities on campus. Thanks to the parent volunteers for their help and support during the recent university fairs at ISB!
University Visits at ISB next week:
Monday, 8 October
University of Calgary
Carleton University (Canada)
Dalhousie University
Trent Universit
University of San Francisco
School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Tuesday, 9 October
Miami University, Oxford
University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
University of Oregon
Wednesday, 10 October
University of Southern California
Thursday, 11 October
Ecole Hoteliere de Lausanne
Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts
University of Westminster
Friday, 12 October
The University of Iowa
Kirkwood Community College
Maryville University
Saint Louis University
St Catherine University-St. Paul
St. Olaf College
Truman State University