Question: I am 15 years old and don’t feel like I’ve gotten much out of homeschooling. I feel like my parents don’t take my education seriously enough and don’t seem to be preparing me for college. I want to go to college, but don’t know how to prepare myself on my own. Right now, I am doing Geometry and physical science. I don’t know what level I am at in reading or history. What can I do to make sure I can get into a good college.
Answer: It is refreshing to see a young person who wants to take lead in their education. From the looks of things, your parents may be very well doing a good job in homeschooling you seeing your drive and determination. Now, if you feel the need to ramp up your education and present yourself as a strong candidate for college, you are surely old enough and mature enough to do so.
Let’s start with where you are right now. At 15 years old, most students are Sophomores, depending on your birth month. If you are taking Geometry, and physical science, you are not exactly behind, but you could be further head. But you have two and a half years at this point to finish high school or perhaps even another year, if you don’t mind starting college at 19.
The first thing you need to do is create a checklist. It should include the classes a typical college would expect you to have studied, plus a few classes that follow your personal interests. A common list would include Algebra, Geometry, Algebra 2, Trigonometry or Precalculus, and possibly calculus. It would also include four science classes such as physical science, environmental science, biology, chemistry and physics, among other choices. You would need four years of English grammar that includes grammar, writing, American Literature, and European or world literature. Social studies classes should include three to four classes such as government, American History, World History and similar subjects. Finally, you should study two years of a foreign language and several electives of your choice. Once you create your checklist, go ahead and check off any classes you have completed, and put together materials you have from those completed classes such as your final grade and sample writings and tests. This is the beginning of your homeschool portfolio.
You clearly have books and curriculum that your parents have supplied to you. So now it is up to you to study hard. Instead of waiting for your parents to issue a test to you or tell you to read a chapter, take the lead. Let them know when you are ready to test on a chapter. Give them a completed test to grade if you mist. Show them that you have read ahead in your book and taken notes. Let them now when you are done studying a book and feel ready for the next level. Push them forward through your homeschooling journey, communicating to them that you are serious about learning.
If your parents are slow to help you move forward at the speed you desire, use the Internet to your advantage. Look for online courses to help you study independently to and in addition to what they have assigned you. You can find high school level history, math, and science at hippocampus.org. KhanAcademy.org is a great program that will propel you though all levels of math. As for language arts and foreign language, check out books and David’s from the library and study these subjects on your own, keeping notes along the way.
Don’t forget to carve out time for things you enjoy. Getting into college is not all about academics. They want to see that you have passion for something, and that you have lead a balanced life.
Always remember that communication is very important. You may find that your parents are just as serious about your education as you are. You may also find that your new found drive will get them excited and have the scrambling to help you along. Even if that does not happen though, make your goals clear to them. Prepare your portfolio on your own if you have to. Study hard for standardized tests like the ACT and SAT and secure a scholarship to college. When you are grown and on your own, you will be glad that you took control of your education.