Life with Teens Magazine - Fall 2014 by TeenLife Media

FALL

2014

MAGAZINE FOR PARENTS

MEET FOXâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S NEW SERIES

RED BAND SOCIETY

Notable Teens

UNDER 18

BEST NEW CARS for Teens

PUBLISHED BY

TeenLife.com VOL. IV., Issue 3

Search, find, and connect with teen opportunities all in one place. TeenLife.com/join provides parents and teens with the information and tools they need to find the perfect outside-the-classroom enrichment programs.

P U B LI SHE R Marie Schwartz, CEO & Founder E D I TO R I A L Camille Heidebrecht, Managing Editor M A R K E TI N G Lesli Amos, Sr. Marketing Manager Sophie Borden, B2C and Content Marketing Manager A RT & P R O D U C TI O N Kathryn Tilton, Designer A DVE RTI SI N G SA LE S Peggy Iafrate, Sr. Director of Sales peggy@teenlife.com April Kennedy, Outreach Manager Christine LeMaire, Outreach Manager Amy Gruber, Outreach Manager Maura Shea, Outreach Manager TE C HN O LO GY Lenny Pratt, Software Developer O P E R ATI O N S Maria Kieslich, Vice President of Operations Alice Bergin, Manager of Operations

PUBLISHED BY Life with Teens, Volume IV, Issue 3 FALL 2014 is published four times a year by TeenLife Media, LLC, 1330 Beacon St., Suite 268, Brookline, MA 02446, (617) 277-5120, info@teenlife.com, www.teenlife.com. LIMIT OF LIABILITY TeenLife Media, LLC, (TL) does not verify claims or information appearing in any advertisements contained in this magazine. While advertising copy is reviewed, no endorsement of any product or service offered by any advertisement is intended or implied by publication in Life with Teens. No part of this magazine’s editorial content may be reproduced without written consent by TeenLife. TL is not responsible for the accuracy of any description, or for mistakes, errors, or omissions of any kind, or for any loss or damage caused by a user’s reliance on the information contained in this publication. Information is subject to change without notice, and readers are advised to confirm all information about an organization before making any commitments. Trademarks: TeenLife Media, LLC and related trade dress are trademarks or registered trademarks of TeenLife and/or its affiliates in the United States and may not be used without written permission.

OUR MISSION IS TEEN SUCCESS

Welcome to

The new school year is finally here! If you are like me, you are not only relieved that your kids are heading back to class, but also stressed out wondering how in the world you will get your family back into daily sync. But don’t fret! Our back-to-school issue is chock-full of tips and advice that will help you jump-start the fall. Just start by reading Getting Your Teen Back to School Happy, Healthy, and Wise on page 14! If you are trying to save a little money on all the harried shopping, Go Back to Class Without Breaking the Bank on page 6 offers helpful cash-saving tips. Plus, page 10 highlights the Top 10 Back-to-School Cars of 2014 that are the best bets based on affordability and practicality.

Me and some teens at the Red Band Society pre-screening!

We are so excited to showcase Fox’s new “dramedy,” which brings very real teen issues to the forefront—Red Band Society. I got to preview the pilot and meet some of the cast. It’s sure to be a TV hit you and your teen can watch together every Wednesday night. The teens in Red Band Society aren’t the only stars in this issue. Our first-ever 18 Under 18 on page 24 also features inspirational teens that have done commendable things at very young ages. Is your teen gearing up for college? Our special Guide to Getting into College with a pullout-planning calendar (page 29) will take you stepby-step through the admissions process. It might prove to be a lifesaver! Other informative must-reads in our fall issue include Why Your Teen Should Take a Fresh Look at Trade Careers on page 12, Digital Parenting: 4 Ways to Mentor and Monitor Your Teen Online on page 36, and What’s Going On in Your Teen’s Brain on page 42. We hope that our back-to-school issue helps you get back into the swing of things—and provides you with worthwhile suggestions for the entire school year.

Camille Heidebrecht Managing Editor

FALL 2014 LIFE WITH TEENS

Share your music. Show your style. Whenever. Wherever.

Introducing the

SoundLink Bluetooth speaker III ®

Covers are available in 5 colors.

To locate the Bose store nearest to you, visit www.bose.com/bosestores 2

LIFE WITH TEENS FALL 2014

Contents FALL 2014

29 Guide to Getting into College SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

BY CAMILLE HEIDEBRECHT

Timely Topic

Digital Parenting: 4 Ways to Mentor and Monitor Your Teen Online

BY KRISTEN LICCIARDI

Did you know?

Health & Wellness

Money Sense Go Back to Class Without Breaking the Bank

BY DEBRA BRADLEY RUDER

BY SOPHIE BORDEN

New groundbreaking stats

Beating the Back-to-School Blues With a Gift

BY VICKI RITTERBAND

Top 10 Best Back-to-School Cars of 2014

SPECIAL PROMOTION

Career Track

Why Your Teen Should Take a Fresh Look at Trade Careers

BY ELIZABETH SUNEBY

Getting Your Teen Back to School Happy, Healthy, and Wise

BY VICKI RITTERBAND

Red Band Society: A Story of 20 Teenagers, Pain, and Strength

BY SOPHIE BORDEN

18 Under 18 Notable Teens BY SARA ZHOU

STAY CONNECTED!

LifeWithTeensMag.com

The cast of FOX’s new show Red Band Society. Page 20.

What’s Going On In Your Teen’s Brain?

DID YOU

KNOW?

Snapchat is where it’s at! 400 MILLION “snaps” sent each day by 26 MILLION active U.S. users.

There are

Marketo Infographic

The average family shopping for high school students will spend

$682.99

on apparel, shoes, supplies and electronics,

up 5% from last year. National Retail Federation

The average teen needs

9 HOURS OF SLEEP per night, but only 15% actually get this much shut eye. National Sleep Foundation 4

LIFE WITH TEENS FALL 2014

75% of high school seniors are accepted to their first-choice colleges. Cooperative Institutional Research Program “The American Freshmen: National Norms 2013” conducted by the UCLA School of Graduate and Information Studies

86.9% OF FRESHMEN are expected to complete their degrees in four years or less. The College Board: Trends in College Pricing

The average college student’s debt is

$23,700;

the average student loan payment is $432 per month. Degree Central.com Infographic: 42 Fun and Interesting Statistics for College Students;

Only .4% of undergraduates attend an Ivy. Chronicle of Higher Education: Almanac of Higher Education

FALL 2014 LIFE WITH TEENS

SENSE Go Back to Class Without Breaking the Bank BY SO P H I E B O R DE N

all is an exciting time for both parents and students. The kids are back at school with structured activities, leaving parents with less scheduling stress. Students also like going back to school in September—but perhaps for different reasons. Back-to-school is traditionally an excuse for shopping sprees: books, pens, pencils, and of course, clothes. Everyone—young and old—likes new things. What if this year, parents can still get their teens excited about school without breaking the bank? If you’ve already indulged this fall, keep these tips in mind for next year (and every year after that!). School Supplies Walmart, Staples, and other large office and school supply stores start stocking their shelves with enticing, back-to-school items during the summer. Bright colored pens, folders with teen idols on them, and notebooks are items that every student wants—but may not actually need. At the end of each school year, parents should help their teens clean out their backpacks. Not only is this a stress relieving exercise, it’s also a great way to keep a school supply inventory of sorts. Don’t let these barely used notebooks and unopened boxes of pencils get thrown away or tossed in the back of the closet. Keep them organized, in a safe place— 6

LIFE WITH TEENS FALL 2014

somewhere easy to remember and access when fall rolls around. Again, if you’ve already shopped your teen’s list, set their leftover supplies aside, place them on their desk, and your budding student can use the past extras throughout the year. Before parents go school supply shopping with their back-to-school teens, they should prepare by knowing exactly what they need and what they already have. • Retrieve the unused school supplies from last year, and make note of exactly how much is needed. • Remind your teens that they don’t need anything extra. If they run out of supplies at any point during the year, it will be easy to get more. • Set a realistic budget and stick to it. School supplies can be bought, on average, for under $50 (not including costly items like backpacks, laptops, or calculators, which last for years). • Bring the list of school supplies needed. And don’t let your teen sneak anything extra into the shopping cart. • If your teen wants to buy anything extra, remind them of the money they saved during the summer, and tell them it’s their responsibility to buy the things they want, instead of the things they need. • Hit the consignment shops. There are plenty of trendy, gently used clothes if you and your teen take the time to scour the racks. Retailers like Savers are

popping up across the country and you would be amazed at how many designer items you can snag. I have found everything from Nike sneakers to Ugg boots and Hollister tops to Pink sweats—favorites people donate from their closets, many still with tags. And smaller boutique consignment shops offer fun finds that no one else will have! Clothes Back-to-school season is equated with new clothes. Your teens aren’t completely irrational when they request some new outfits—they are starting a new year at school, and therefore, a new journey. You want your teen to feel as confident as possible in school, and new clothes may do the trick. This does not mean that parents need to restock their teens’ closets completely. Realistically, how much can someone’s style or clothing size change from June to September? Similarly to the school supplies model, work with your teens to clean out their closet and drawers before going shopping. If your teen won’t wear certain clothes ever again, or has outgrown the clothes, make one pile for donations. A second pile should be allocated for storage (clothing that’s out of season), and the third for clothes to keep. Again, make a list of needs based off the “keep” pile before any shopping is done. Clothing is more expensive than school supplies, but can still be budgeted. • Instead of making a list that reads “5 t-shirts, 2 pairs of jeans, 4 dresses,” etc., allocate a specific budget towards new clothes. This will teach teens how to make important decisions and how to decide how necessary the item really is. Chances are if your teen only has $30 left in his or her budget, they will want to hold off on those cool shoes for something more important and desirable, like a new jacket that they will wear every day. • Visit a few stores without buying anything, so your teen can make selective choices based on all of their options and avoid “impulse buys.” • Always start at the sale section of a store. Clothes that are only a few months “out of style” can be reduced as much as 50 percent (or even more!). Teaching your teen to begin their shopping in the sale section will also remind them that they can get more bang for their buck if they stick with low-price items. • Buy a few essentials—maybe just a few first-day-ofschool outfits—then wait a few weeks until the real sales begin on fall clothes and it is actually fall-like weather.

Sports Throughout the year, especially in middle school, your teen may try many different club teams and new sports that only last a few weeks. Buying everything brand new might not make sense. Of course, purchase a new mouth guard, but a used field hockey stick is just fine. Again, hit the used sporting goods stores or ask a former player or friend’s sister to pass along their older equipment. Teens Go to School, Not Work In some cases, parents are the ones that need to be controlled when shopping for back-to-school. Moms and Dads are used to buying themselves new electronics, designer clothes, cars, etc. But be warned—these frivolous money habits always get passed on to their teen. Don’t forget that your teens go to school, not to work. They don’t need to be dressed to the nines like many professional parents do. They don’t need the coolest new gadgets and Calvin Klein dress shirts. They need practical, comfortable clothes (ones that can be washed normally, not dry cleaned), relatively cheap electronics (because they get broken…a lot), and basic school supplies. Challenge yourself and your teen by abiding to these money-saving tips. Budgeting is an important lesson to learn early on in life, and may lesson the chance of phone calls in college saying, “Mom, I really need a few hundred extra dollars this month.” Check out this budgeting calculator to help with your back-to-school shopping: Practical money skills. Here’s to an educational and affordable new school year! LWT

FALL 2014 LIFE WITH TEENS

BEATING THE BACK-TO-SCHOOL BLUES

With a Gift Shopping for supplies and back-to-school clothes is an enjoyable ritual for teenagers. But why not surprise your son or daughter with an unexpected gift? Here are some of our favorites. BY V I CKI RIT T E RB AND

1. Show state pride with shirts, hats, neckties and other accessories sporting an embroidered silhouette of your child’s favorite state. Exploring their website made us realize that the eastern U.S. has more interesting shaped states than the rest of the union. Sorry Midwest! Prices start at $5. www.StateTraditions.com

1. 2.

2. Order one of these hip and happening backpacks and you may have second thoughts about giving it away. Mojobackpacks live up to their name with images that are high definition, glowin-the-dark, or just plain stunning. $40-48. www.mojobackpacks.com

3. If your teen has ever lost a smartphone or other valuables, listen up. The nio Tag connects wirelessly to phones that like to go missing. The tag can clip onto a key chain, get stashed in a pocket or be slipped into a purse. If the tag and the phone become separated, an alarm sounds. $49.95. www.bluenio.com 4. No need to spend even a minute untangling earbuds with the LOOP. Our 15-year-old tester declared his red LOOP “awesome.” Get one in your teen’s favorite color for $6.99 or order a trio for $16.99. www.ipocketloop.com 8

LIFE WITH TEENS FALL 2014

7. 8. THE GIFT OF MEMORIES 5. These iPad/e-reader stands are made with fun fabrics, stuffed with rice and polyester fiberfill and are perfect for doing schoolwork, watching a movie, playing a game or doing that most old-fashioned of endeavors—reading a book. $16 www.etsy.com/shop/abigailleigh

6. When did socks get so fun? Vs. socks are mismatched rivals: owl vs. mouse, zombie vs. werewolf, you get the idea. They’re unisex and retail for $9.99 a pair. www.vs.com

7. A new pair of Bose® SoundTrue™ on-ear or around-ear headphones will make all of your teen’s tunes sound better. Pair them with a SoundLink® Mini Bluetooth® speaker and they’ll be psyched to lose themselves in their favorite music anytime. www.bose.com/bosestores

Sharon Hepburn, author of Mothering… Your Inner Connection, offered a few ideas for nonmaterial back-to-school gifts that are all about making memories.

1. The gift of time. Take an entire day off to spend with your child and leave the cell phones at home. Go out for lunch, shop for clothes, visit a museum or see a movie.

2. A special piece of jewelry or other object from YOUR teenage days. Maybe it’s your old class ring or a token from an old high school sweetheart. Share the item and the memory that goes with it.

8. Your daughter can microwave this cute hair tie, loop her hair through it, do a jig, and before she knows it, she’ll have a headful of bouncy curls. Sold in many cool colors and patterns. $18.99 www.socalcurls.com

3. A photo collage for your teen’s locker or bedroom. Print and mount photos from the past couple of months to remind him/ her of those lazy days of summer. SPRING 2014 LIFE WITH TEENS

PROMOTION

Back-to-School

CARS OF 2014

BEST

KBB.com’s 10 Best

s the fall kicks into full swing, what better time to think about the best new car for you teen driver. Here’s a list of the 10 Best Back-to-School Cars of 2014 recommended by the expert team of editors at Kelley Blue Book, hand-picked for students who may be considering not only their MPG but also their GPA. Criteria for selection included earning high grades not only in fuel economy but also safety, style, versatility, and of course, affordability. Each of the KBB.com editor’s new-car picks starts below $20,000 with a few available for less than $15,000. This year’s wide-ranging list includes a small SUV, a 50-mpg hybrid and an all-wheel-drive option. “Regardless of a student’s interests or style, there is a stellar new-car option for them on our diverse 10 Best Back-to-School Cars list for 2014,” said Jack R. Nerad, Executive Editorial Director and Executive Market Analyst for Kelley Blue Book’s KBB.com. “The redesigned 2015 Honda Fit came to the head of the class as our No. 1 Back-to-School Car this year with the most flexible interior you’ll find in a subcompact car, boasting an affordable price while simultaneously offering the same sporty fun and refinement for which the Honda brand is well known.”

LIFE WITH TEENS FALL 2014

Back-to-School Cars for 2014 Rank Vehicle

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

2015 Honda Fit 2014 Kia Soul 2014 Nissan Versa Note 2014 Mazda Mazda3 2014 Toyota Prius c 2014 Honda Civic 2014 Chevrolet Sonic 2014 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport 2015 Volkswagen Golf* 2014 Subaru Impreza

Kelley Blue Book® Fair Purchase Price

$15,994 $14,623 $13,868 $16,761 $18,309 $17,191 $14,366 $18,925 N/A $17,490

*The Kelley Blue Book® Fair Purchase Price (FPP) is updated weekly to show shoppers what others have been paying for this car recently. FPP data in chart is for base model and was sourced from KBB.com on July 25, 2014. *FPP data is not yet available for 2015 Volkswagen Golf.

PROMOTION

CAR SHOPPING AND BUYING TIPS FOR STUDENTS AND PARENTS: To help ensure driving and ownership satisfaction into the coming school year and beyond, follow these guidelines for getting the right car at the right price.

• DO YOUR RESEARCH: All the information you need to make a smart car-buying decision is available at KBB.com, including both expert and consumer reviews and ratings, Fair Market Range including Kelley Blue Book® Fair Purchase Price, side-by-side comparisons, safety and reliability ratings, and more. • KNOW WHAT IT IS GOING TO COST YOU: Once you’ve narrowed it down to a few models that you are interested in, be sure to check out not only what it will cost you up front to buy the car, but also what it will cost you over time to own the vehicle. KBB.com’s 5-Year Cost-to-Own information for new cars can help you determine both. • DRIVE AT LEAST TWO OR THREE DIFFERENT MODELS: It’s easy to enjoy a test drive in the vehicle at the top of your list, but without driving one or two others to compare, you might easily miss out on something you’d like even more. • IF BUYING NEW: Always use a vehicle’s Fair Purchase Price, not Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price, as your basis for comparing vehicles and negotiating with the dealer. Kelley Blue Book’s Fair Purchase Price reflects the prices people are typically paying a dealer for a new car, based on newcar transactions and adjusted regularly as market conditions change. Kelley Blue Book’s Fair Purchase Price may be hundreds or even thousands of dollars less than MSRP. • IF BUYING USED: Whether buying from a private party or a dealer, it’s always a good idea to have any used vehicle checked out by a reputable independent service shop. When purchasing from an individual, check out the privateparty value from KBB.com as well as Kelley Blue Book’s Quick Condition Quiz. These items will help you determine the “actual” condition and value of the vehicle.

• CONSIDER CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED (CPO): When you buy a CPO vehicle, you get the value of buying a used car with the peace of mind that comes from getting new-car-like features, such as a manufacturer-backed vehicle warranty, full vehicle inspection and more. Learn more about buying CPO, compare all manufacturer CPO programs and even search for CPO vehicle inventory in your local area on kbb.com. • SHOP ONLINE: Use the Internet to find the exact vehicles local dealers in your area currently have on their lots. You can check out inventory in the “Cars for Sale” section on KBB.com to save time and hassle of driving around from dealership to dealership. This way you can choose wisely which models you want to go test drive. • PARENTS: Don’t buy a car for your teen without driving it yourself, as your experience can help you identify problems or shortcomings that your teen may not notice. Also, trust your own judgment and don’t let your teen talk you into buying a vehicle with which you’re not fully comfortable. • TEENS: Do all of your homework before you meet with mom or dad; show them you are responsible and ready for a car, and make it easy for them to say “yes” to your well-researched choice.

To see KBB.com’s full coverage of the

10 Best Back-to-School Cars for 2014, including vehicle photography, pricing details and editorial reviews, please visit KBB.com.

FALL 2014 LIFE WITH TEENS

CAREER TRACK

Why Your Teen Should Take a Fresh Look at

TRADE CAREERS BY E LIZAB E T H S U NE BY

FOUR YEARS OF A COLLEGE EDUCATION IS ONE PATH TO A PRODUCTIVE AND FULFILLING LIFE. BUT NOT THE ONLY ONE. NUMEROUS TRADE PROFESSIONS TODAY OFFER GRATIFYING AND LUCRATIVE CAREERS.

Approach Education and Career Planning with an Open Mind With tuition rates quickly outpacing inflation rates and a tepid employment market, it is more important now than ever for students to carefully consider their post-secondary education. There are exceptional technical schools, vocational schools, and two-year degree programs providing the necessary on-the-job skills that lead to big salaries—and are making teens take another look at their future. It’s critical to think about the indispensable value to society of local tradespeople: organic farmers, auto mechanics, wind turbine technicians, ultrasound technicians, diagnostic medical sonographers, radiation therapists, and others. And it’s essential to consider each teen’s aptitudes and interests before launching them on any path— traditional or not—especially given the cost of a four-year college education. “Whether they are thinking about a four-year program, community, or technical school—teens should deliberate to ensure academic success and career readiness,” advises Philip Hardin, CEO of online aptitude testing start-up, YouScience.com The Value of Trade Work Professor of Counseling and Career Development at Colorado State University’s School of Education, Dr. Rich Feller, encourages teens to consider the value of blue collar work, stating, “The trades grow popular when students see 12

LIFE WITH TEENS FALL 2014

how compensation can grow, how entrepreneurship connects to ownership, and how college graduates are ‘reverse transferring’ to technical training, community colleges, and performance certificates.” Even a university administrator acknowledges that four years of college is not for everyone. Dr. Chester Goad of Tennessee Technological University comments, “I work for a university, so naturally I hope students will at least consider a college education. But college is not for everyone—and it’s a myth to think there aren’t jobs in technical fields that are fulfilling and also pay well.” Philosopher and motorcycle mechanic Matthews B. Crawford and author of the award-winning book, Shop Class as Soul Craft: An Inquiry Into the Value of Work, like Goad, cautions against the one-size-fits-all thinking. Crawford explains why: “Turning everyone into a ‘knowledge worker,’ [is] based on a misguided separation of thinking from doing, the work of the hand from that of the mind.” He goes on to state, “The manual trades require careful thinking and are punctuated by moments of genuine pleasure.” Colorado State University’s Dr. Feller acknowledges the premium companies place on attracting skilled tradespeople, explaining, “Employers rely on the problem identification and solving skills of the trade and craft worker. They are hungry for internally motivated workers using their natural aptitudes.” Consequently, it’s not surprising that job security is another benefit of

trade work. Crawford explains this phenomenon, writing, “The work of builders and mechanics are secure; it cannot be outsourced, and it cannot be made obsolete. Such work ties us to the local communities in which we live and instills the pride that comes from doing work that is genuinely useful.” Teens Mastering Their Trades From the kitchen, to the fields, to the water, these commendable teens—who some might think have atypical jobs—have found their path. Culinary Arts: Gavin Pierce is enrolled in a two-year culinary arts associate’s degree program at Baker College in Michigan. Gavin knew for several years that he wanted to be a chef, drawn to the profession’s mix of artistic work that engages all five senses and requirement for mathematical acumen. He’s well on his way, having recently won a silver medal in a local cooking competition where, as in the popular Food Network TV shows, he had an hour to create a delicious and visually appealing main dish with mystery ingredients. Agriculture: Without realizing it, Jake Letteney chose his career back in 5th grade when he volunteered at a local organic farm. Since that auspicious summer caring for cows, sheep, goats, chickens, pigs, and rabbits, Jake has worked on farms. Drawn to the outdoors and to animals, he transferred from a traditional college-preparatory public high school to an agricultural one—Norfolk County Agricultural High School in Walpole, Massachusetts— enrolling in the Animal Sciences Program for his junior and senior years. Today, Jake works on a small dairy farm where, in addition to farming, he gets to do a little of everything—carpentry, mechanical, landscaping, sales, and veterinarian technician work. Jake has his sights set on owning and managing a farm where he produces good quality, healthy food. Jake’s mother supports his goals, saying, “I just want him to choose a career that will make him happy and able to support himself in the lifestyle he chooses.” Game Warden: Jake’s dairy farm co-worker, Justine Grassey, is also a graduate of “Norfolk Aggie,” and like Jake, is focused on owning a farm. Justine credits the late wildlife expert and conservationist, Steve Irwin, with sparking her love of animals. In addition to farming, Justine is interested in conservation law enforcement and currently working towards an associate’s degree in criminal justice at Massachusetts Bay Community College. Justine has her future carefully plotted. She will combine her passion for animals with her education in law enforcement to work as a game warden in Maine—enforcing hunting and fishing regulations, stopping poachers, and imposing property lines—all while running a dairy farm with a friend. (Continued on page 28.)

Special Offer for TeenLife!

POPULAR TRADE CAREERS TEENS SHOULD CONSIDER • Audio Production • Carpenter • Computer Technician • Culinary Arts • Dental Assistant • Dialysis Technician • Electrician • Funeral/Mortuary Service Worker • Health Care Aide • HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning) • Laser Technician • Mason • Medical Assistant • Paramedic • Plumber • Real Estate Appraiser • Ultrasound Technician • Veterinary Technician • Welder • X-Ray Technician • Mechanics and technicians in various industries: Auto, Electronics, Elevator, Clean Energy, Clean Water, Refrigerator, Aviation, Biomedical Equipment

FALL 2014 LIFE WITH TEENS

LIFE WITH TEENS FALL 2014

GETTING YOUR TEEN BACK TO SCHOOL HAPPY, HEALTHY AND WISE

BY VICKI RIT T E RB AND

Richard So, MD, likes to talk to his teenage patients about the back-to-school B’s: bedtime, breakfast, and be organized, to name a few. The Cleveland Clinic pediatrician cites a study showing that kids who earn A’s and B’s sleep on average 25 minutes more each night than kids with C’s and D’s, then points to one of the sleep’s biggest thieves: the cell phone. “Kids say they need it as an alarm,” he says. “Buy your kid an alarm clock and take the cell phone away at night.”

FALL 2014 LIFE WITH TEENS

At the beginning of the school year, to put it in geographical terms, your child is a little like a semiautonomous region, self-governing for the most part, but still in need of some guidance from the central government—you. Dr. So was one of several experts who spoke to Life with Teens about best practices for ensuring your teenager returns to school happy, healthy, and wise. Here’s some of their advice.

Caring for the Body New York City English teacher Tony Duffy advocates getting your child back on a regular sleep schedule in late August. The change should be gradual and cumulative—going to bed and getting up 15 minutes

ORGANIZING ELECTRONICALLY GirlZone Editor Erica Portillo has a few suggestions for resources that help teens get organized and improve efficiency. You may want to check out these for yourself, too.

earlier every other day over a two-week period, for example. Eating a good, protein-rich breakfast can also prevent sleepiness later in the morning, advises Dr. So. Late summer/early fall is also an ideal time to get a routine checkup. “The vast majority of medical issues teens struggle with are preventable,” says Richard Chung, MD, director of adolescent medicine at Duke. “It’s not uncommon for issues to smolder for a while because teenagers don’t know how to bring them up.” At a routine visit, the pediatrician can query your child about the basics: sleep, nutrition, stress, sexual health, and other issues. And don’t forget that immunizations continue into the teen years, specifically tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis (Tdap), human papillomavirus (HPV), and meningococcal vaccines. Ellen Hennick Toubman, a Spanish teacher from suburban Boston, urges parents to make sure that regular exercise is built into their teen’s day, as it boosts academic performance, improves sleep, and gives them a sense of accomplishment. “And then there’s the whole issue of drugs and alcohol. For kids who are working out or part of a team, there are fewer opportunities to be distracted,” she observes.

Getting Organized

1. Making a Change: an online tool that

helps teens with goal setting. www.kidshealth.org/teen

2. RescueTime: helps identify inefficiencies

in your day and become better at managing time. www.rescuetime.com

3. Evernote: A single place to keep and

share everything—class notes, photos, articles, to-do lists, etc. It automatically syncs across all your devices. www.evernote.com

4. Khan Academy: This nonprofit offers

thousands of video tutorials and interactive exercises to supplement classroom learning and many teachers recommend the site. www.khanacademy.org

LIFE WITH TEENS FALL 2014

It may sound obvious, but teens need a proper space to do homework, advises Duffy. Although many like to study in bed, he recommends that they sit upright at a desk or table, ideally near a window to reap the benefits of natural light. He also believes it’s important for teens to have a lot of say in outfitting their study area to engender ownership of the space and what happens in it. And make a rule that during study time, cell phones are parked at the door and computer screens are in a common area, urges Janet Allison, an educator, family coach, and founder of Boys Alive!, a resource hub for parents and educators of boys. “You’ll be surprised that teens are actually relieved to be away from their addiction,” she says. The cell phone, however, can be a useful organization tool, for example, by providing access to a shared calendar. “If soccer practice is not in the family calendar, they don’t deserve a ride,” quips Dr. So. (See “Organizing Electronically” sidebar).

Sinking or Swimming For boys in particular, encouraging self-reliance is a developmental must and the beginning of the school year is a good time for mom to resign her position as CEO of his life, urged several experts. For example, if your child hasn’t been doing his or her own laundry, now is the time to start. “No rescuing. No bringing the forgotten instrument to school,” counsels Allison. “They have to experience the natural consequences of their actions. Support them, but don’t do things for them.” Yet when it comes to navigating relationships with teachers, boys may need a little assistance because often they’re less astute about nonverbal cues, like body language, according to Allison. “It’s important to help them understand that they need to take the first step in creating a relationship with their teachers, making the extra effort to say ‘hi,’ or ‘how are you doing? It’s easy for girls because they’re all about relationships. It’s going to be hard for him, but it will serve him well when he goes to college and holds down a job.”

Setting Goals Several experts cited goal setting as an important activity at the beginning of the school year. “There’s so much research about how important it is for kids to set

their own goals, starting with a single thing they want to do, like doing well on a math test,” says Sean Hughes, principal of Lower Merion High School in Pennsylvania. “When they accomplish that, then they should add two or three more things.” Duke pediatrician Dr. Chung sees September as a great time for parents and teens to step back and look at the big picture together: are they happy with how things are going? Academics? Their relationships? Their health? “Because everyone is so busy, it’s uncommon for parents and teens to have these types of conversations,” observes Dr. Chung. And academic performance is often a good “litmus test” for the state of affairs in other aspects of teens’ lives, he adds. “Clinically, when teens have mental health or health issues, we get a sense of how severe their issues are based on how they’re doing in class.” Those conversations don’t have to be formal sit down affairs, with a squirming teen wishing she were anywhere but talking to her parents. Make these conversations part of an activity, like a walk or a drive. And tune into the time of day when your teen seems more open to talking, says family coach Allison. With her own daughters, now adults, that used to be at 11 p.m. or midnight, after they returned home from a night out with their friends. Refreshed from the summer, organized, and with a few goals in mind, your son or daughter should be off to a great start to the school year. LWT

FALL 2014 LIFE WITH TEENS

What Teens Say About

We moved during the summer so I’m changing school districts. I really don’t want to go to school. I know some people at my new school through Tae Kwon Do, but I don’t socialize with them.

I don’t think parents realize how tricky the first couple of weeks of school are. You’re adjusting to the kids in your classes, new teachers, the workload. It’s like being in a new job.

Sonny Kusaka,9th grade West Linn, Oregon

I’m not very organized, so during those first two weeks of school I try to get organized so it doesn’t get too out of hand as the year goes on.

Paul Menard, 10th grade Hollis, NH

I’m thinking of applying early to most of my colleges. I’m trying to get my essay out of the way this summer and hand in my applications by November or December so I have time to look at schools and decide which are best for me.

MacKenzie Silvia, 12th grade Newton, MA 18

LIFE WITH TEENS FALL 2014

Claudia Ferrero, 11th grade Springfield, VA

I have two fears about going back: fear of having horrible teachers, which I have had, and fear of not knowing anyone in any of my classes. These fears don’t make sense because I grew up as a military child (my dad just retired from the Air Force) and we used to move every two years so you would think I’d have gotten used to this.

I would set goals for myself at the beginning of each year, to get certain grades, certain test scores and other things I wanted to achieve. One goal was always to be better organized, but that never lasted more than three weeks.

Abigail Jackson, 11th grade Kingwood, TX

Aram Dommerholt, recent high school graduate

My primary focus during the last two weeks of summer is on football: we have pre-season practice for seven hours a day. So going from that to an academic focus is always difficult. It takes me a week or so to adjust.

Ben Wolf, 10th grade Cape Elizabeth, ME

Going back to school is a mixed thing. I’m bummed because summer is ending, but excited to see a bunch of people I don’t see over the summer. I might have a little anxiety this year because I’m taking three AP classes: U.S. history, environmental studies and statistics.

Charlie Stewart, 11th grade Ithaca, NY

FALL 2014 LIFE WITH TEENS

A Story of Teenagers, Pain, and Strength BY S O P H I E B O R DE N

The American television audience has been inundated with high school drama series—Awkward, Dawson’s Creek, Saved by the Bell—and medical series—ER, Scrubs, House—for over two decades. Airing on September 17th, Fox will combine the two popular genres in their brand new “dramedy,” Red Band Society.

LIFE WITH TEENS SPRING 2014

SPRING 2014 LIFE WITH TEENS

â&#x20AC;&#x192; 21

NORMAL TEENS, CONQUERING ADVERSITY Red Band Society, based on the award-winning Spanish series, Polseres Vermelles, tells the story of a group of sick teenagers living seemingly normal lives— in a hospital. The premise of the show is disheartening: each kid is battling their own illness that they cannot physically overcome on their own. But the heart of the series is not about illness alone—it is about an unlikely bond that forms when the characters let their barriers down. Within the first five minutes of the pilot episode, the audience is introduced to recognizable—and somewhat stereotypical—characters: the mean, bossy cheerleader; the outspoken, brave teenage boy; an overachieving, intellectual girl; a snappish ER nurse; two rebellious guy friends sharing a joint. Charlie, who is introduced last, narrates the show. To the viewer’s surprise, he is in a coma. While the characters could potentially be found on any other teen TV show, they are in the unique position of being seriously ill and living in a hospital. They go to school, fall in love, argue, and form friendships, like any teenager would. However, their experiences are heightened and are more important because the characters value life more than the average, healthy teenager. They have no choice, as their lives are at risk every day.

UNIQUE SITUATIONS MAKE PEOPLE EVOLVE The show’s executive producer, Margaret Nagle, compares Red Band Society to The Breakfast Club, My So-Called Life, and Freaks and Geeks, all traditional teen movies and series geared towards high school relationships. These teen shows and movies emphasize the “hierarchy” of social statuses: the popular crowd, the jocks, the nerds, etc. The same is true for the characters of Red Band Society, but the social barriers are knocked down much faster. As Charlie narrates in one scene, “When people are sick, you see how complicated they really are.” A cheerleading outfit, ripped jeans, or thick glasses mean nothing in the hospital. Being sick is what brings these teens together. Nevertheless, producer Nagle and the cast do not want Red Band Society to be too sad or depressing for the viewers. Instead, the show aspires to be inspiring for everyone watching—adults and teens alike. Actor Wilson Cruz explains, “You’re going to be surprised by who [the characters] become to you and who they become to each other. The show is about inspiring our viewers to take on whatever they’re facing and latch on the people who are supporting them.” 22

LIFE WITH TEENS SPRING 2014

Academy Award-winner Octavia Spencer, who plays a strict (yet caring) hospital nurse, believes in the show’s story, characters, and meaning. She revealed in a Variety interview that she was so intrigued by the role because “I wanted to focus on a character I could evolve with. It was the best pilot I’ve ever read… it’s not every day that you get great material. From page one, I was like ‘what is this going to be?’ I was moved, I laughed and cried, I ran the gamut of emotion. [Red Band Society] is unlike any procedural hospital show—we’re not a procedural. It’s not the typical drama, the typical comedy, it walks a fine line.”

THE PILOT Charlie narrates the pilot omnisciently, as if he hung out with the rest of the characters on a daily basis. He knows about all the relationships, the drama, and the trouble the kids get into with the hospital staff. Producer Nagle’s own brother, who is also named Charlie, was in a coma for a very long time during his childhood—he was the inspiration for the character. While Charlie is not shown on the screen as much as the other characters and is not directly involved in the plot of the show, he is a poignant choice for narrator. The viewers don’t get to see his importance in the pilot episode, but it is obvious that he holds the rest of the characters together—he is an inspiration for them all. Charlie’s new roommate, Kara, is a high school cheerleader who is also a bully, a brat, a smoker, and a drinker. She is taken to the hospital after she faints in cheer practice, and later finds out that she needs a heart transplant. When she goes unconscious for a few minutes, Charlie appears in her dreams. He asks her to order him pizza (he thinks the smell will help wake him from his coma), and to tell his dad that the accident was not his fault (Charlie’s accident is still unknown to the viewer). When Kara first entered the hospital, she had no interest in Charlie or any of the other patients. After she spoke to Charlie in her dream, she started showing her vulnerabilities. She did tell Charlie’s dad that the accident wasn’t his fault, and she did order him pizza to try valiantly to wake him. This is the first time in the pilot episode where Kara thought about someone other than herself. At the end of the pilot, the name Red Band is explained. Leo, who has been in the hospital the longest and has already lost one of his legs to cancer, hands out his “Red Bands”—the hospital bands that he received throughout different parts of his treatment—to all of his friends. He later goes into Charlie’s room to give him the final red hospital band. He tells Charlie that he helped him through his leg surgery—Charlie had also talked to

him in unconsciousness and told him, “Luck isn’t getting what you want, it’s surviving what you don’t want.” Like Kara, Leo found inspiration in Charlie, and ultimately, found a reason to live.

THE SIGNIFICANCE FOR TEENS AND ADULTS After only one episode, it is obvious that Red Band Society is an extremely powerful show for adults and teenagers. The characters are strong and passionate, even though they are living tragic lives. The characters inspire the audience to love the life they have, embrace the people around them, and remain strong amidst adversity. The show offers a great opportunity for open dialogue between parents and their teenagers. Red Band Society covers many topics that are often taboo at the dinner table: sickness, death, drugs, eating disorders, sex, and more. In a hospital, there is no hiding of medical or social issues between patients and their doctors—everything is exposed. In that spirit, parents and teens can discuss these “awkward” topics in an open forum, just like the show. The series also reminds teenagers that the invisible social lines and hierarchies of high school do not need to exist. In fact, life is more enjoyable when they don’t. Although these characters claim they would not be friends outside of the hospital, they have no reason to believe that. Charlie, who, in reality, has never spoken to any of the characters, is the one who pushes them together against all odds. Charlie is a silent inspiration for all of the patients to make themselves better people—and this inspiration can apply to anyone watching the show. In one scene, Charlie narrates, “Everyone thinks that when you go to a hospital, life stops. But it’s the opposite. Life starts.” His small, brave voice reminds the viewer that anybody can be happy anywhere, if they try. When people unite together to help each other, life starts. LWT

Meet

CIARA BRAVO How have your life experiences helped you nail your character? All of my experiences to play Emma are from simply being a teenager. We are both young girls trying to figure out our way through life. We go to school, fall for boys, and fight our own demons. I don’t know anyone with an eating disorder. So, books and online research have been vital tools. Why is it important to have shows like RBS? RBS shows people what a positive experience growing up in a hospital can be. Love, drinking, and friendships are just some of the side effects of being a teen. The audience can experience these issues alongside the characters. It’s relatable. Red Band Society champions teens of different backgrounds and illnesses to become a close-nit group. How will the show make social change? I hope that RBS shows that it’s worth getting to know other kids that you would typically not hang out with. More often than not, you’ll have a lot to teach each other. Red Band Society appeals to both teens and parents. Why is it relevant for both audiences? It’s a show about people. These characters are going through real life problems that everyone is bound to experience at one time or another. The kids can learn, the adults can reminisce (or learn some more). And talk openly together. Octavia Spencer plays the caring, determined nurse. What’s her influence on the set? She’s a gem and the best mentor in town. She’s taught me so much about life and the business. We’re lucky! As a relevant young actress, you have a powerful voice, how do you want to be heard? I would like to be heard as a wise young lady. I want to do those who have lived with an eating disorder justice.

Red Band Society Premiers Wednesday, September 17th on Fox.

What do you want people to know about Ciara Bravo? I simply want people to know that I am real. It’s easy to forget that when they only know you from TV.

FALL 2014 LIFE WITH TEENS

18 UNDER 18 From techies to visionaries and authors to fashionistas, these notable teens are inspirational rock stars, definitely worth recognizing in Life with Teens first-ever 18 Under 18.

BY SARA ZH O U

24â&#x20AC;&#x192;

LIFE WITH TEENSâ&#x20AC;&#x201A; FALL 2014

UNDER 18

Jordyn Schara, Visionary (18) After participating in community service projects around her Wisconsin hometown, Jordyn was inspired to start her own non-profit peer-mentoring organizations. Since then, Jordyn has launched a number of programs, including Project READ, an initiative to send newspapers and magazines to American troops and WIP2D2 (Wisconsin Prescription Pill and Drug Disposal) which helps educate the public on over-thecounter drug abuse. WI P2D2 works to dispose of drugs in an environmentally friendly and safe way. Her work has been recognized by the White House and other charitable organizations. 18-year-old Jordyn encourages teens to “Get outside and do some good, you will be amazed at how awesome it feels.”

Nick D’Aloisio, Millionaire Techie (18)

1. Jordyn Schara 2. Nick D’Aloisio 3. Leanna Archer 4. Jamie Edwards 5. Neha Gupta

How many teens can say that a global corporation purchased their company? Probably not many. Was the teen then hired to lead the creation of the company’s most widely acclaimed product? You bet. At 15, Nick D’Aloisio was the youngest teen to receive venture capital from a millionaire, and then soon became one himself. The now 18-year-old tech prodigy built Summly, an artificial intelligence App whose algorithm provides summaries of news articles, and sold for $30 million to Yahoo. Prior to Summly, he created several Apps, among them, Facemood, a service which used sentiment analysis to determine the mood of Facebook users, and SongStumblr, a geosocial music discovery service.

At only 14 years of age, Jamie Edwards broke the world record, becoming the youngest person in history to fuse the atom. Jamie’s nuclear reactor successfully created helium this March, completing his project with a bang. This young “fusioneer” raised the funds and constructed the model for the reactor himself. His fascination with radiation even led him to purchase a Geiger counter last year with his own money. Talk about a unique self gift!

Leanna Archer, Start-Up Exec (18)

Neha Gupta, Life-Changing Fundraiser (18)

Leanna Archer, 18-years-old, is the CEO and founder of a thriving company. How did she do it? Archer says that it all started when she found her great-grandmother’s recipe for hair products—a far cry from cookies. Based off the old recipe, Archer began making and selling her own hair pomade. Within weeks, her first batch was sold out. Her company, Leanna’s Hair, has now branched out to sell an array of handmade hair treatments and has been recognized by Forbes magazine. In her spare time, Leanna manages an education charity she founded to help build schools and safe learning environments for underprivileged children.

Neha Gupta’s family has an unusual birthday tradition: every year, they celebrate not by receiving gifts, but by bringing gifts to orphans in their Indian hometown. When Gupta turned 9, she realized that if every family did the same, they could have a far larger impact. She started by selling handmade wine charms door-to-door to provide orphans with the opportunity to receive an education. Her first fundraiser was by no means the last. The now 18-year-old Neha Gupta is founder of Empower Orphans, a non-profit organization that has risen more than $1 million for orphanages around the world.

Jamie Edwards, Nuclear Fusioneer (14)

FALL 2014 LIFE WITH TEENS

Ajay Krishnan, Bright Engineer (18)

Lizzie Marie Likness, Celebrity Chef (14)

After learning that nearly one billion people lack access to electricity, 18-year-old Ajay decided to channel his love of math and science to build a device that could help those in need. Ajay’s device produces electricity and hydrogen gas from wastewater and is the first of its kind that can control the amount of electricity produced. His work was commended last year when he was named a Davidson Fellow, a significant scholarship awarded to extraordinary young people.

Lizzie Marie Likness first started selling the products of her kitchen to pay for her horseback riding lessons. Ever since she sold her first baked goods at a local farmer’s market, Likness has never lost her drive or entrepreneurial spirit. When she decided to follow her passion in cooking, Lizzie built a healthy-cooking website with videos on teaching peers how to eat better. Now 14-years-old, Likness has a thriving culinary enterprise: not only does she teach cooking classes, but she has also appeared on the Rachael Ray Show and starred in her own WebMD video series.

Breanna Murrin, Causeworthy Athlete (16)

Fraser Doherty, Jammy Millionaire (17)

Instead of hanging by the neighborhood cookout this 4th of July, Breanna Murrin was 113 miles away from home. Six days earlier, she had set out to run from Key Largo to Key West, Florida in order to honor America’s veterans. The Spring Valley high school student said she ran almost twenty miles each day, all while carrying the American flag. Along her journey, she had the support of many, including the kindness of strangers, to keep her going. “As we were running, some cars would honk and people would salute,” Murrin said, and a trail of online supporters followed: the activism of this 16-year-old has definitely turned heads.

Doherty has made headlines in Forbes and a number of prominent mags as “Jam Boy,” the 14-year-old entrepreneur who made a fortune out of fruit and nothing else. Fraser started making jams at the age of 14 from his grandmother’s recipes in her Scotland kitchen. By 16, he left school to work on his business full-time, which sells half a million jars of jam annually. Fraser has since launched his own cookbook and a service project that provides monthly get-togethers for elderly people living alone.

Isabella Rose Taylor, Fashion Designer (14) For many designers, it takes years to launch their first clothing line, but 14-year-old Isabella has already sealed the deal. Her Nordstrom line is a continuation of her lifelong love of art, something Isabella Rose Taylor has been doing since she was barely 4. By the time she was 12, she already had a serious fan base and was asked to show a collection at Austin Fashion Week. Isabella’s clothing line quickly caught the attention of the nation’s media and has been featured on the TODAY Show. She says the key to her success has been blood, sweat, and glitter.

6. Ajay Krishnan 7. Breanna Murrin 8. Lizzie Marie Likness 9. Fraser Doherty 10. Isabella Rose Taylor

10.

UNDER 18

11.

12.

Rahi Punjabi, Notable Scientist (18) 18-year-old Rahi’s love for learning has led him to see potential in the most unlikely of places. For most, garlic is used as a household good, but not in the hands of this budding scientist. Instead, Rahi discovered that the plant had the potential to be used as an antibiotic in part of a promising treatment for cystic fibrosis. Outside of the lab, Rahi sees science as a way of helping young minds develop. He has founded “Science for Shooting STARs,” a program at the Boys and Girls Club that engages its participants with science fair projects.

Maya Van Wagenen, Writer (16) In a wickedly funny set of memoirs, this 16-year-old wrote about her quest for popularity—with one catch: The tips she follows all come from a 1950s self-help book. Her humorous exploits in Texas suburbia garnered such online popularity that she landed a six-figure Penguin book deal for Popular: Vintage Wisdom for a Modern Geek. To top that amazing feat, DreamWorks has also purchased the rights to adapt the novel to the silver screen, making this talented author the youngest author to make it to the Hollywood venue.

Jack Andraka, Independent Thinker (17) 17-year-old Jack Andranka is an inventor, scientist, cancer researcher, and fighter against the odds. When Jack first set out to find laboratory resources, he contacted 200 professors with specific plans for his project. He received 199 rejection emails before he got one positive reply. From there, he successfully developed a new, quicker, and cheaper method of detecting pancreatic cancer. This early-stage detection technology hopes to give patients a better survival rate. He is the recipient of the grand prize of the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair, and has appeared on the Colbert Report.

13.

14.

11. Rahi Punjabi 12. Maya Van Wagenen 13. Jack Andraka 14. Ann Makosiniski 15. Jaylen Bledsoe

15.

Ann Makosinski, Inventor (16) Science whiz Ann Makosinski, a 16-year-old from Canada, has found a new way to harvest energy that isn’t solar, hydro, or biogas: the warmth of your hand. Her flashlight generates power from thermoelectricity, no batteries required. Makosinski was inspired to search for a power-generating solution after hearing about the poor conditions in the Philippines and her friend’s struggle. Without electricity, she couldn’t complete schoolwork or pass her classes. For her invention, Ann was given a TED Talk and awarded first prize at the 2013 Google Science Fair.

Jaylen Bledsoe, Self-Made Millionaire (16) Jaylen Bledsoe started his own business when he was just 13-years-old. But far from a lemonade stand, his company, the eponymous Bledsoe Technologies, specialized in advanced web design and IT services. Under his supervision, it evolved into the multi-million, international venture we know today. Outside his business ventures, Jaylen is much the ordinary teen: he volunteers in St. Louis and is making plans to attend college.

FALL 2014 LIFE WITH TEENS

UNDER 18

16.

18.

16. Joshua Williams 17. Hunter Gandee 18. Mala Yousafzai

17.

Joshua Williams,

Hunter Gandee, Activist (14)

Philanthropist/Hunger Fighter (14)

Fifteen-year-old Hunter Gandee wanted to raise awareness about his younger brother’s cerebral palsy, a condition that makes it difficult to walk or control leg muscles. Because of this, Gandee says he has always been like a “second pair of legs” for his brother. This definitely took on a new meaning when Hunter walked 40 miles carrying his brother on his back. After battling the elements and his own fatigue for two days, Hunter finished his trek from Temperance to Ann Arbor, Michigan successfully—and of course made the Wheaties box!

He made his first donation using his monthly allowance. Ever since, 13-yearold Joshua Williams has never stopped looking for ways to give. He is the founder of Joshua’s Heart Foundation, a non-profit that has given out more than half a million pounds of food. Last year, he partnered with Whole Foods to show people how to use their food donations in a healthy way. What’s Joshua’s next goal? Curing world hunger, he says, but not without some help.

Malala Yousafzai, Peace Prize Winner (17) Although Malala Yousafzai rose to fame after being shot in the head by a Taliban fighter, her story is more than one of violence. At 12, Malala’s diary was already a regular section on the BBC. When she turned 16, a holiday was named in her honor, and she gave a speech at the United Nations headquarters. From childhood to adolescence, Malala has been a fearless defender of human rights. For her efforts, she has been recognized: she has received multiple youth peace prizes, and was again nominated for a Nobel Prize this year. LWT

(Career Track continued from page 13) Boat Building: Jake Arbron graduated from an independent high school in Westchester, New York with dual secular and religious curriculums. Like virtually all of his peers, Jake went on to a four-year college. But, one year into an engineering program, he determined it wasn’t a good fit. Fortunately for this self-professed hands-on person and avid sailor, Jake learned about the International Yacht Restoration School (IYRS) of Technology & Trades in Rhode Island. Jake enrolled in the school’s two-year program and looks forward to a career making and selling boats. Marine Systems: Stephen Worsham is in IYRS’ Marine Systems Program learning to install, repair, and maintain all essential nautical systems, including electrical, navigation, electronics, steering, and refrigeration. Upon completion of the Marine Systems Program, Stephen plans to apply his technical trade education as a crewmember on a large yacht or commercial ship. 28

LIFE WITH TEENS FALL 2014

The Many Merits of Trade Careers As these five teens illustrate, each person thinks, learns, and engages with the world differently. In Matthews B. Crawford’s award-winning book, he questions the prudence of holding white-collar office work as the ultimate reward for all. The book summarizes Crawford’s perspective, “For those who feel hustled off to college, then to the cubicle, against their own inclinations and natural bents, this book seeks to restore the honor of the manual trades as a life worth choosing.” As you and your teen look towards the future, it’s in your best interest to evaluate if an education and career in a manual trade is a good fit. No matter the color of the collar of your teen’s prospective career, keep in mind that beyond passions, aptitudes, and interests, hard work and integrity are equally important components of success. LWT

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“WE CAN ALL GET A JOB, BUT THAT’S NOT WHAT EDUCATION IS FOR, THAT’S NOT WHAT COLUMBIA IS FOR. COLUMBIA IS A PLACE FOR CREATIVE STUDENTS TO COLLABORATE, BUILD A PROFESSIONAL NETWORK AND EXPAND THE ESSENCE OF WHAT THEY WANT TO DO FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIFE." ADRIAN AZEVEDO, THEATRE DIRECTING, ‘15

AUTHOR THE CULTURE OF YOUR TIME colum.edu/teenlife

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College: THE NEXT BIG STEP Prepping for the SATs. Selecting schools. Understanding financial aid. Writing your college essay. Whether college is just around the corner or still a few years away, we know that navigating the college admissions process can be extremely overwhelming. But remember, with a little bit of advanced planning and a lot of organization, the steps to getting into college can be exciting and fun. Just let TeenLife’s handy guide and countdown-to-college planning calendar help lead the way!

CHOOSING THE RIGHT SCHOOL FOR YOU There’s really no magic formula for picking the perfect college, but there are certainly ways to help narrow your search. To begin compiling a list of colleges you might like, start researching online. Use the tools on college search websites and take virtual campus tours. Then, plan to attend college fairs in your area. Collect information from a variety of different types of schools and meet their representatives face-to-face. Here are some factors to consider when choosing a school: • Major: Look for schools that offer the potential course of study—and major—that interests you. • Cost: How much is the overall tuition? To offset the cost, apply for financial aid and scout out scholarships! • Size: Do you want a smaller, more close-knit campus or is a bigger, sprawling feel more your deal? • Location: Geographically, where do you want to be? Cities offer urban amenities, but a rural location may be a better fit. • Student Life: Does the school offer your ideal student life? Tour colleges and evaluate the athletics, Greek life, clubs, diversity of the student body, school spirit, and the overall campus vibe. • Requirements: What tests are required? If the school requires the SAT or ACT or both, make sure to take the appropriate tests and do your best. FALL 2014 LIFE WITH TEENS

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College Planning Calendar & Checklist FOR JUNIORS AND SENIORS s you enter your final two years of high school and start thinking about college, don’t stress. Along with our handy guide, we have created this detailed checklist to keep your college application process moving along smoothly and on track.

JUNIOR YEAR

Thinking about college starts in your junior year.

FALL Take a challenging course load and all of the classes you need to graduate. Begin researching colleges. Look at websites, search sites, online campus tours, student reviews. Register for the PSAT in October. You can take a practice PSAT online. It is the only way you can qualify for a National Merit Scholarship (NationalMerit.org). Talk to your counselor and consider an assessment test to explore potential careers you might like. Get involved in your community, school activities, and clubs. Track your volunteer hours and add these experiences to your applications.

WINTER Take a free practice test for the ACT and SAT to see on which test you perform better. Sign up for a prep class if you are taking the early spring exams. Investigate scholarship and financial aid options. Continue researching colleges and universities that interest you. Make a list of your Top 10. Decide which colleges that you might like to visit and prepare questions for upcoming tours.

LIFE WITH TEENS SPRING 2014

SPRING Look into summer jobs, internships, summer camps, and other career-inspiring programs that will boost your resume. Attend college fairs in your area. It’s a great way to collect brochures and meet College Reps one-on-one. Register to take the SAT or ACT. Take the appropriate Subject Tests (if needed) and AP Tests. Visit the schools on your list. Explore the campus, its facilities, and what makes each college unique.

SUMMER Request catalogs and admissions information from your top-choice schools, if you haven’t already. If you took the SAT/ACT for the first time in May/June but need to improve your scores, take a summer prep course. If practical, visit and tour the rest of the schools on your list. Brainstorm and outline a few essay ideas. Schedule an appointment with your counselor or independent consultant to discuss your college plans. Create a binder to keep all of your information and application forms organized. Start your applications before the stresses of senior year kick into full gear.

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SENIOR YEAR

It’s your last year of school! Now is the time to complete your college quest.

SEPTEMBER Decide which colleges you want to apply to. Include schools that you believe will accept you, as well as some schools that may be a reach. Work on completing your college applications. Find out if your target colleges accept the Common Application or Universal College Application, which can be submitted online. Decide if you will apply for early decision to your top-choice schools. Start the framework for your college essays. Start asking teachers, counselors, or employers to write recommendations.

OCTOBER Last chance to take the SAT/ACT. Continue completing your applications. Submit early decisions. Fine-tune your college essays. Have them proofread for content and grammar. Submit a CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE. Many colleges use this to award financial aid.

NOVEMBER/ DECEMBER Submit your completed college applications and essays. Check to see if your recommendation letters have been mailed. Search for scholarship opportunities. Obtain a copy of FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) at studentaid.edu.gov for your parents to fill out. Look for early decision acceptance letters from schools.

JANUARY File for the FAFSA as soon as you can after January 1st. Make sure that the colleges you applied to in December have received your completed application. Ask your counselor to send your mid-year grades to the colleges or universities that require them. Be aware of the deadline for your CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE if you haven’t submitted it yet. Check the policies on the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) tests at the schools you may attend. These tests can earn you college credits.

APRIL Check your mail for admission decisions and financial aid letters. If you are added to a waiting list, notify the college or university if you are still interested, and ask them if there’s anything you can do to better your chances of being accepted. If you’ve made your final school decision, send in your enrollment form and deposit. Notify other schools of your final decision, so they can offer enrollment to other students.

MAY

FEBRUARY If you haven’t done so already, submit your FAFSA online at studentaid.edu.gov. Deadline is as soon as possible after January 1st. If you have submitted a FAFSA and you have not received your Student Aid Report (SAR) within a month, contact the Federal Student Aid Information Center directly. Confirm that all schools that you applied to have received your mid-year transcripts, exam scores, and financial aid information.

MARCH If you are taking any Advanced Placement (AP) courses, prepare for the exams. Continue searching for scholarships that will help reduce your tuition. Keep an eye out for admission decisions from colleges—and any additional information schools may request.

Take AP exams and make sure your scores are sent to your college. Send thank you notes to your counselor, teachers, and those who’ve written personal recommendations. Double-check on any deadlines and last-minute paperwork necessary to attend your college. Study for your final exams. Your scores are still important.

JUNE Have your counselor send your final transcript. Complete any last-minute paperwork required for your school. Plan your transition and exciting move to campus. Graduate high school!

About TeenLife

TeenLife is the largest online directory of outside-the-classroom enrichment programs for students in grades 7–12, along with regular content to support strong teen enrichment decision making. TeenLife is passionate about teen success.

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MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR CAMPUS VISIT Visiting prospective colleges is an essential part of the entire application process. Here are some quick tips to make your campus tour a success! • Visit the website. It’s a good idea to spend ample time on the college’s website. Learning about the school, the campus layout, and its facilities will give you a frame of reference once on the tour. • Schedule a tour. Be sure to sign up for a tour and information session ahead of time. You’d be surprised how quickly they fill up! • Dine on campus. While on the visit, eat in the dining hall. Not only can you try the food, but it’s a great way to observe other students.

• Talk to faculty and students. Gain insight on what makes the campus tick. • Document your visit. Keep track of what you love and hate about each school. This will allow you to compare colleges on your list, what you liked and didn’t like about each. • Ask questions. Ask any questions not answered on the school’s website. It will help you gather more information about what interests you most.

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Financial aid can make a huge difference in offsetting the cost of college. Eligibility for financial aid is determined by need, which is essentially the cost of the college minus what your family can afford to pay. The FASFA and the CSS/PROFILE® have slightly different formulas for determining your need, but play a major role in determining your financial aid packages. 1. 1 FILL OUT THE FASFA

What is the FASFA? FAFSA stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid. This form is used to determine the amount of money your family is expected to contribute to the price of attending college. The results of the FAFSA are used in determining student grants, work-study programs on campus, and loan amounts. The FAFSA must be completed after January 1st. The earlier you apply, the better the chances are of receiving aid from as many sources as possible. Also, you must submit the FASFA every year of college.

2. 2 COMPLETE THE CSS/PROFILE® Almost 400 colleges and scholarship programs use this application to award financial aid. It originates from the College Scholarship Service (CSS), the financial division of The College Board, which can be found at CollegeBoard.org.

3. 3 SUBMIT SCHOOL-SPECIFIC FINANCIAL AID FORMS

Some colleges require that you also complete a financial aid form unique to their school.

4 APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS 4.

Scholarships are essentially free money. Use scholarship search engines, check with your parents’ employers, and tap into any community groups you belong to and apply for as many as you can.

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After being accepted from your top choices, it’s important to compare financial aid packages side by side. Determine which college is giving you the most financial support apart from loans that will allow you to graduate with minimal debt.

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DIGITAL PARENTING: 4 Ways to Mentor and Monitor Your Teen Online BY KRIST E N LICCIARDI

hen it comes to mobile devices we’re all newbies. Consider this: Apple launched the iPod in 2001, the iPhone in 2007, and the iPad in 2010. In a short time, mobile devices have multiplied and become ingrained in our daily lives—to the point where it’s hard to remember life pre-smartphone. It’s no surprise that teens have embraced mobile devices with gusto. A recent Pew Research Study on teens and technology confirms that smartphone usage is at an all-time high: 37 percent of all teens have a smartphone, and three out of four teens are mobile Internet users. Our kids are ditching the traditional desktop in droves—often leaving parents and their prying eyes out-of-the-loop as they navigate the complicated world of social media and the Internet. As much as teens love mobile technology, research shows that they’re looking for guidance on how to manage 36

LIFE WITH TEENS FALL 2014

their digital lives, but they readily acknowledge that their parents aren’t up to the task. Teens are just as likely to turn to a friend for advice on managing online and social media privacy as they are to ask an adult, according to a companion study by Pew Research. When it comes to mentoring and monitoring our children’s digital lives, it seems, most adults are dropping the ball.

Why Parents Need to Step Up Their Digital Game As a mother of three boys, I admit it: keeping up with kids and technology is intimidating, ever-changing and complicated. Parents feel ill-equipped to stay on top of hundreds of morphing Apps and devices, yet our kids do it effortlessly. We feel overwhelmed by stories of teens gone wild: “Am I Pretty?” posts on YouTube, midnight texting binges (a.k.a. vamping), and suicides fueled by social media—just to name a few recent headlines.

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But parents can’t bury their heads in the sand and hope for the best. It’s absolutely necessary for parents to take an active role in their teens’ digital lives—or we’re setting them up for failure, said Joani Geltman, parenting expert and author of The Survival Guide to Parenting Teens. Case in point: giving your middle schooler a new smartphone without any limits on Apps or the Internet. “Developmentally, teens—especially younger teens—don’t have the selfcontrol to navigate the digital world on their own. We’re giving them too much independence and setting unrealistic expectations,” noted Geltman. So parents of tech-loving tweens and teens, consider this your digital wake-up call. It’s time to take a more proactive role in managing, monitoring and (dare I say) setting limits on our kids’ texting, browsing and gaming.

HERE ARE 4 STEPS TO START MENTORING AND MONITORING YOUR TEEN’S DIGITAL LIFE. STEP 1: Get Familiar with the Digital Teen Scene It’s true that knowledge is power for parents of teens, so get up to speed on your child’s favorite social media and texting Apps, pronto. Let the experts do the work for you. There are many websites and bloggers dedicated to raising parents’ digital awareness. Make it a habit to bookmark a trusted site like commonsensemedia.org, my go-to resource for parent-centered advice and reviews of Apps, social media, movies, and more. Why I like it: parents can browse by topic or age, and the content is frequently updated to match fast-moving digital trends. A recent must-read by this cutting-edge organization, 15 Sites and Apps Kids Are Heading to Beyond Facebook, includes the pitfalls of each. Other websites of note: Yoursphere for Parents (Yoursphere.com) has thought-provoking reviews, like this article, Disappearing Messaging Apps—What You Need to Know, including SnapChat. I also like The Cyber Safety Lady’s blog for no-holds-barred digital parenting advice (if you have a hands-off attitude about your child and Instagram, the post Instagram is NOT Safe for Kids will change your mind—and at the very least, spark a conversation about Instagram’s privacy settings and how to use them).

STEP 2: Know Your Parental Control Options The more I learn about the unmonitored digital lives of teens, the more I’m convinced that parents (like, ahem, me) don’t adequately research and employ parental controls.

We’re convinced they’re too time consuming, difficult and ineffective against tech-savvy kids. The key is to research age-appropriate controls that work for your family. Limiting your actions to tweaking the settings on your teen’s smartphone, for example, isn’t fool-proof and won’t keep older and/ or smarter teens from finding (i.e., Googling) a way around those limits. More sophisticated options to consider include: openDNS: a web-based blocking filter that controls the content of every device in your household via your network router: mobile devices, gaming consoles, and computers. Parents can block individual websites or specific types of content (i.e., pornographic sites). All bets are off, though, if your teen taps into the neighbor’s unsecured wireless network or turns off his cell phone’s wireless setting (thereby accessing the Internet on your phone carrier’s network). In that case, consider the next option: Phone carrier controls: Most carriers have parental controls that allow you to manage your child’s texting, calls, and data usage. For example, are you frustrated with your teen’s bedtime texting and social media habits? You don’t have to get into a battle at night. Most phone carriers allow you to set times of usage (i.e., turn off your teen’s smartphone from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. Monday-Friday). The loophole? Your teen could tip toe downstairs and open up the laptop. In that case, you’ll want to consider… Router settings: Some wireless routers allow you to limit Internet time by device. A tech-savvy friend with three teenagers uses his Apple wireless router to customize each child’s device at night. “Limiting data usage via the router takes the confrontation out of it… you don’t have to be the mean parent and force your kid to hand over the laptop,” he noted. So, for example, if one child is too tempted to keep off Facebook during homework hours, he can block that son’s Internet access on his individual mobile device for a specefied time.

STEP 3: Set Digital Limits The most difficult part about implementing the parental controls outlined above? For most parents, it’s following through and setting consistent limits on their kids’ digital activities. “Parents have a hard time saying no to their kids when it comes to smartphones,” noted Geltman. “Do I think it’s a good idea to give young teens unrestricted and unmonitored smartphone access? No.” Just as you wouldn’t hand over the keys to your car when your son turns 16 and expect him to know how FALL 2014 LIFE WITH TEENS

Do I think it’s a good idea to give young teens unrestricted and unmonitored smartphone access? No. Just as you wouldn’t hand over the keys to your car when your son turns 16 and expect him to know how to drive.

to drive, Geltman said, parents shouldn’t give a kid a smartphone with unlimited Apps—and then expect him to use it responsibly. The temptations are just too great to browse explicit web sites and text around the clock at the expense of homework and engaging with family. So what’s a parent to do? “You’ve got to gradually increase your child’s privileges,” Geltman advised. Emphasize clear-cut, consistent rules on when and where devices are allowed in your house (for one hour after homework is finished, for example, with more texting time and Apps added as your child matures and proves she can handle her smartphone responsibly). For more detailed solutions on setting practical digital limits with your older teen, again, see Geltman’s book, A Survival Guide to Parenting Teens.

STEP 4: Be an Advocate for Your Child’s Privacy Rights When it comes to Internet privacy, be your child’s best advocate: advise him early and often on how to set the highest privacy settings on social media apps. For younger kids, develop a list of personal information your 40

LIFE WITH TEENS FALL 2014

child should never share online; this isn’t as obvious to kids as it is to adults (name, address, age, birth date, school, favorite sports). Be sure to check out more tips from Common Sense Media on protecting your child’s identity online. Also talk to your child about the sites she uses and the different types of ads she sees online. “New modes of advertising are insidious and particularly troubling for kids and teens, who are less able to differentiate advertising from entertainment,” said a Common Sense spokesperson. “What does it mean for a tween or teen girl to receive weight-loss ads, targeted to her based on her age, gender, location, the foods she likes and the topics she searches? We need to understand the impact of this type of advertising on young people.” Spark a thought-provoking conversation rather than a one-way parental lecture. Share Sneaky Ways Advertisers Target Kids to get the dialogue going. After all, we can’t prevent our teens from exploring online, but as parents we can act as well-informed guides and mentors to help our kids become digitally educated, responsible and aware. LWT

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YOUR TEEN’S BRAIN? EXPERTS SEE THE TEEN YEARS AS A TIME TO THRIVE, NOT JUST SURVIVE

BY DE B R A B R ADL E Y R U DE R

lated to finally have his driver’s license, your 17-year-old son desperately wants to take his friends for a spin around town—despite the six-month waiting period in your state for minors driving minors. Ignoring the risks if he gets caught (suspended license) or has an accident (injuries and lawsuits), your son goes ahead. Everyone arrives home safely, but you are fuming. Every parent of a teenager recognizes this kind of maddening, impulsive behavior of smart kids who sometimes do foolish things without thinking through the consequences. Just remember that it’s not completely their fault: Their brains are not done maturing, and they’ve been shaped by evolution to test boundaries, make social connections, and seek their independence. When it comes to the brain, adolescence is a period of extraordinary change, rivaled only by the first few years of life. Gray matter (brain volume) peaks around 11 to 14 for girls and a bit later for boys—and then begins thinning as it becomes more specialized. With their brains in highchange mode (this is called plasticity) and synapses building quickly, teenagers are primed for learning in school and beyond. Unfortunately, this plasticity also makes teens vulnerable to negative influences like drugs and alcohol, according to Frances E. Jensen, MD, chief of neurology at the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine. And 42

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although sharp and spongy, young people haven’t yet developed the “executive skills” to dampen their urges. Sections of the brain mature at different rates, and the frontal lobe of the cortex—responsible for planning, reasoning, problem solving, and impulse control—is the last to finish, typically in the mid- to late-20s. “It’s like driving a car with a sensitive gas pedal and bad brakes,” explains Laurence Steinberg, PhD, a developmental psychologist at Temple University who has studied adolescence for 40 years. Steinberg says the transition to adulthood now spans ages 10 to 25 because of early puberty, later financial independence, and other factors. “Today adolescence begins much earlier, it ends much later, and it is far more important in determining health, success, and happiness in adulthood than it has ever been,” he writes in his new book Age of Opportunity: Lessons from the New Science of Adolescence. The good news, experts say, is that parents can help their teens take advantage of this important cognitive stage—and begin rebranding adolescence as a period to appreciate, not one to dread and endure. Communicate “My big advice is: Stay close. Do not allow alienation to occur,” Jensen reflected in a recent interview. “Find some common ground and stay communicating—

because you’re a role model for your teens, even though they won’t admit it. They are still imprinting on how you manage your life. They’re watching.” Steinberg advises engaging your kids in spirited discussions at home (or in the car) as a way to promote intellectual development. “A lot of parents get nervous about their kids challenging them; they think it’s a threat to their authority,” he says. “But if you want to raise an assertive, curious, and thoughtful person who’s going to stand up for what she thinks is right, you have to tolerate—and maybe even encourage— some of that at home, too.” Give Them Space When it comes to helicopter and snowplow parenting, Harvard neurologist David Urion, MD, says it’s better to give teenagers “running room” to try new things (as long as they’re safe and legal) and make decisions on their own, rather than hovering and clearing the way. If too many decisions are made for them, Urion warns, teens may not develop the critical thinking skills so necessary in life. “Brains learn from experience, and we have to give young people experience that doesn’t have too many safety nets,” says Urion, of Children’s Hospital Boston and Harvard Medical School. “Just enough, but not too many.” If conflicts arise, listen to your teen’s viewpoint, offer your opinion, find a compromise, and then accept the results. He says if things backfire for your child, it’s better to respond with, “How do we move on?” rather than, “I told you so.” Help Them Manage Risks Knowledge is power, and Jensen wants teenagers to understand their risks from exposure to drugs and alcohol, multitasking, sleep deprivation, and other stressors “that can leave big scars on development.” In public talks she has given to students, parents, and professionals—and in her forthcoming book, The Teenage Brain: A Neuroscientist’s Survival Guide to Raising Adolescents and Young Adults—Jensen shares some alarming data from animal research. She notes that alcohol and marijuana interfere with learning at the cellular level and can have lingering effects, that binge drinking kills more brain cells in teens than in adults, and chronic marijuana use can lower your I.Q. Additionally, the sensory overload that comes with multitasking—a habit for many teens these days—can reduce recall. Sleep deprivation can also affect learning and memory; since synapses build during sleep, Jensen says, studying right before bedtime is a good strategy for making the information stick. Calling the development of self-control “the central task of adolescence,” Steinberg says there’s some evidence that aerobic exercise and “mindful” activities such as meditation, yoga, and tae kwon do can help young people manage their thoughts, emotions, and actions. He also recommends a

parenting style that is warm, firm, and supportive. This includes setting clear but fair expectations and rules, showing affection, being involved in your child’s life, focusing praise on effort, and helping your child navigate decisions without intruding too much. Getting the Most Out of School Our schools are organized by academic subjects, but our brains are organized by skill sets that cut across disciplines, according to Urion. “Brains don’t have math centers or social studies domains,” he says. “And learning chemistry is not like learning biology or physics, but we call them all science.” He encourages parents to help students recognize their skill sets—that is, how they process information. If your child complains, “I’m no good at math or foreign languages,” try unpacking what’s difficult; for example, some people have trouble interpreting complex visual and spatial information, or hearing the rhythm of a language. Getting to know his/her brain may help your child “at least anticipate which subjects may be a slog and which will feel like a comfortable shoe.” Adolescents are shifting toward higher-level abstract thinking. But Steinberg notes that U.S. high schools too often stress memorizing and repeating facts instead of engaging students in the kinds of big philosophical questions they enjoy, like “What is the true meaning of democracy?” or “What does it mean to love somebody?” Encourage your teen to take challenging classes and keep academic grades in perspective, Steinberg counsels. “Getting good grades so you can get into a good college is important, but there’s still a lot of brain development taking place at this stage,” he says. “Being challenged will serve your child well as she or he grows up.” LWT

Teen Brain Reading The Teen Brain: “Still Under Construction”: www.nimh.nih.gov Age of Opportunity: Lessons from the New Science of Adolescence, by Laurence Steinberg, PhD; due out in September 2014, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt The Teenage Brain: A Neuroscientist’s Survival Guide to Raising Adolescents and Young Adults, by Frances E. Jensen, MD, and Amy Ellis Nutt; due out in January 2015, HarperCollins. Brainstorm: The Power and Purpose of the Teenage Brain, by Daniel J. Siegel, MD, 2013, Tarcher/Penguin

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Semester Schools Semester schools provide a unique educational opportunity for students to earn high school credit while exploring their surroundings outside of the classroom. Academic programs range from ecology and environmental science to fine arts and literature. These semester-long programs are often taught on islands, at sea, in the mountains, or even on farms. There are a myriad of programs offered both domestically and abroad. Alexander Muss High School in Israel (HSI) is the only nondenominational, co-educational English language program in Israel for high school students. HSI offers a core curriculum, which is conducted in chronological historical order, with on-site learning and fieldwork where the events actually took place. High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors can spend part of an academic year or summer at Alexander Muss High School in Israel—a perfect opportunity for students who are interested in travel, adventure, and history. HSI ensures that when students return to the U.S., they are immediately able to re-enter classes at their grade level, and receive an official transcript for 225 - 250 hours of studies. Students can even receive six college credits from the University of Miami!

Like other teen enrichment programs, semester schools focus on teaching students valuable lessons outside of the classroom—transferrable skills that will ultimately be used in college and the workforce. Academically, semester schools offer a great option for students with different or specialized learning styles. Furthermore, many schools incorporate their physical environment and location into classes. Students also cite personal growth after studying at a semester school—many of them report growth in self-confidence, leadership skills, and self-reliance. These skills are extremely useful and shine through on college applications, in job interviews, and in daily communication.

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