Is your teenager a late bloomer: a capable young person who has not yet succeeded in school?
Are they struggling with both school and the SAT or ACT?
Your teenager can turn this challenge into an opportunity for success -- not just on the SAT or ACT, but for life.
So, now that we understand the true nature of the challenge, here's what you might say to your teenager.
First, embrace the SAT or ACT as a game of skill.
Second, let go of the idea that this is some sort of intelligence test.
This is not about how smart you are.
It's just about learning to play your game.
Third, start wherever you are.
The only way to get good at a game is to begin at the skill level you have now and begin to improve one small step at a time.
Fourth, recognize that different people master different games at different paces.
One game might take us longer to learn than another -- and we can end up great at both!
And if you see other people mastering the SAT / ACT game very quickly you don't have to care about that one bit!
You don't need to worry about their game; the only game you need to concern yourself with is your own!
Finally, give yourself time to succeed.
If you were looking at any other game of skill -- tennis, golf, basketball -- would you expect mastery in a few days or in a few weeks?
Would you short-change yourself by setting a short-term deadline, after which you say "sorry, game over"?
No. You'd give yourself as much time as you need.
And that's what you do for your SAT or ACT game!!
Give yourself enough time to succeed -- until you can call this new game your own.
So those are the key points to share with your teenager.
In the next and final (4th) part of this 4-part article, I'll share with you how a former student of ours at Much Smarter, Brandy, achieved success for the first time by making a new start on both the SAT / ACT and in school.
