It’s true, taking the SAT in San Ramon can mean pressure for students. As a result, many of them don’t want to take it. They are either terrified of taking a big test, or just lazy, or they don’t have future college goals, or such goals are yet undefined or unclear to them. They may also see the SAT as a “stupid” test and they do not need it.
These students have the idea that taking the SAT involves deep, extensive preparation — and it can be unpleasant at times, but it can always be rewarding at the end. Before a student can commit to such preparation, he or she has to gain interest first in taking the test. You, as a parent, should play a role in gaining your child’s attention in the SAT and then helping him/her attain high SAT scores. However, not in the manner of “If you don’t get high SAT scores, you’re grounded,” or “If you do homework, I’ll be happy.” Even parents with the best intentions may find they are pushing their children to score high on SAT to satisfy their own interests, not their kids’.
Remember, it is your child who has to want to attain higher SAT scores, not you. They are the ones who are going to college, and not you. Even if you are their parents, your children are individuals too with their own goals and desires in life. Your own goals do not have to mirror theirs. Forcing your child to score high on the SAT so that you will be happy or to get them to schools of your own choice, won’t go anywhere — even if you sign up for a good test prep program.
Instead, follow these simple tips on how to get your child to take the SAT in San Ramon:
- Ask your child what he or she wants out of life
The first thing to gain your children’s attention to take the SAT is to ask them what they want to do after they graduate high school. Sit down with your child and have a heart-to-heart talk with him or her. Does she want to be an author? Or does he want to be a veterinarian? Does he want to take fine arts in college? Do not interrupt — just listen to your child’s answer attentively. If your daughter says that she wants to be an author, then help her find a college that has an awesome English or Creative Writing courses or program. Then tell her: “We hope we can get you high SAT scores to gain admission to this or that college that you want.” Then she’ll be motivated by her own goal of getting to her dream college by studying for the SAT. Then your work is almost done! - Do not look for a college or university based on rankings or reputation alone
Remember that rankings are not always a basis for providing your child a good quality education. Colleges and universities with higher rankings do not mean much to the high school students because they do not know how it feels to be there, even if they have an idea what they are. Instead, as a parent, you should look first at the qualities of a college or a university — does this college have good programs or does this university have good professors, etc. Look for colleges and universities that will further help in enhancing your child’s life goals and enrich his or her future college experience. For example, if your child wants to be an author, then look for a college or university with a good English course or Creative Writing program, as well as competent professors. Then correlate these qualities with rankings.
- List the selected colleges that have the qualities that your child would like
It’s recommended that you should look at College Data (collegedata.com) to find schools which share these qualities. In the end, though, let your child choose the school that he or she wants to attend. - Let your child know that getting high scores on the SAT will enhance their chances of getting into the schools where they want to go
It is pretty self-explanatory. Having high SAT scores will make your child’s admission to his or her dream college much easier. Plus, high SAT scores would also give him or her a chance to gain scholarships.
If you follow these tips, you can certainly inspire your child to have his or her own motivation to start studying and preparing for the SAT in San Ramon.