December 10, 2010
The Gifted Student’s Path to Higher Education
While earning a high GPA may seem like a cake walk for students who have qualified for accelerated programs in high school, there are some challenges as well. The road to college has some rough spots that can be smoothed over with a little pre-planning. High intellectual, creative and/or artistic students have a special set of needs to consider.
1. Timeline. Planning for college starts as early as 7th and 8th grade. Gifted students should be mastering time management and started to take note of various career paths. In 9th and 10th grade, it’s time for students to set some goals for themselves. Various talents need to be explored to discern the difference between professional and recreational pursuits. By the last two years of high school, the gifted student should be narrowing down their college choices and preparing the best admissions packet that they possibly can.
2. Inclusion. Gifted students often are especially sensitive to the expectations of their parents and teachers alike. They feel an exaggerated sense of guilt when their grades drop off a bit and are hard on themselves to do better. When starting to think about which college or university to attend, be sure to include the student in all decisions. As with any student, feeling part of the process builds self esteem.
3. This is the time to try all things. Gifted students often find that their interests are as varied as their opportunities. They may enjoy music as well as sports; science right along with the arts. Whereas some students feel overwhelmed when going in too many directions, the gifted child should be warned against settling into just one niche too soon. Although it’s best not to over schedule any student, the gifted student might just be bored if not stimulated enough. The same holds true down the road when he thinks about choosing a major. The message is to encourage him to take his time and explore all of his options.
4. Be ready for the “small fish/big pond” scenario. Rising to the top of a high school class can be a heady experience. It’s no wonder that moving off to college and finding oneself just another of many gifted students can prove to be difficult. The best way to position your child for this situation is to instill an appreciation in the process of learning over the grade earned. Learning is infinite in college and if he puts emphasis on that over anything else, he’ll never want for anything else.
Overall, the gifted student’s path to college is very similar to their peers’, but with so many doors opening for them because of their academic accomplishments, it can be daunting. If you guide them every step of the way−sometimes from a comfortable distance−they’ll be able to harness their considerable talents in the right direction for them.
Marcia Payne is a career counselor who often assists working adults in finding online degrees programs and using online degrees to advance their careers.
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13 Comments on The Gifted Student’s Path to Higher Education »
April 1, 2011
kate fialkowski @ 1:13 pm:
Terrell
Thank you for your comment on the IDEA post. I can tell you that I was identified as a “gifted” student. So between my brother David and I, we got to see both ends of the spectrum at the same time. I can tell you that in those early years I benefitted immediately. There were no trained teachers for my brother. It took decades for special education to really become a field and have teachers who had more knowledge than just speech therapy (my brother's first teacher got the job because she was a speech therapist!). On the other hand, an individualized program for me meant that I could restructure my day. That I could increase the number and types of programs I was taking so that I didn't get bored. I was able to take special reading and math classes and I was able to go to special magnet programs with other “gifted” kids. So, from my perspective, one of the best benefits of including the “1%” on the bottom of the spectrum was that it meant that the 1% at the top had benefits as well.
Thank you again for your note.
Kate
April 29, 2011
Find Articles, Free Articles Directory | Education Articles @ 9:34 pm:
Breakdown of server virtualization –
May 7, 2011
educationelective @ 5:22 pm:
Marianne cooper!i sent u my email to try an get a name! my brother works with McAfee as a computer analyst and he said he'd put up my picture of a space in the toilets and office rooms for a kind of participation art to see what peole draw on them to change them. The gifted child is actually my 8yr old cousin who goes to ucc at weekends and she is loving this participation and coming up with the funniest things…iv documented her ideas…very funny!!i have videos too but ment to ask you if i shoud post them as she's under 18???
June 19, 2011
Ping.fm @ 5:59 am:
June 25, 2011
Find Free Articles - ArticlesBase @ 11:51 pm:
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August 31, 2011
Twitter @ 4:42 pm:
#2: Beyond Reason: Lessons from the Loss of a Gifted Child http://www.amazon.com/Beyond-…
September 8, 2011
barry @ 1:33 am:
#1: Beyond Reason: Lessons from the Loss of a Gifted Child –
September 27, 2011
@ 12:06 am:
gifted child, but always thought it would be nice to have one- whatever his/her gift might be. It wasn't until I read a memoir titled, “I Promised You Daisies: Book Two of the Trilogy Imperfectly Ordinary” by Robert A. Benjamin that I was able to get a good picture of what it would be like. Although I still think it would be nice if one of my children had a gift, I now realize that gifted children also have their own struggles, that life isn't perfect for them or their parents. I truly believe that behind each gifted child is a parent guiding the way. I can only hope to be such a great parent.]]>
October 4, 2011
HelloTxt @ 5:10 pm:
#2: Beyond Reason: Lessons from the Loss of a Gifted Child: Beyond Reason: Lessons from the Loss of a Gifted Ch…
October 8, 2011
@ 3:40 am:
Outsourcing Directory]]>
October 29, 2011
Barry Davis II @ 3:02 pm:
Vocabulary for the Gifted Student Grade 1 (For the Gifted Student): Challenging Activities for t… – Flash Kids Editors
October 30, 2011
@ 6:50 pm:
gifted child, but always thought it would be nice to have one- whatever his/her gift might be. It wasn't until I read a memoir titled, “I Promised You Daisies: Book Two of the Trilogy Imperfectly Ordinary” by Robert A. Benjamin that I was able to get a good picture of what it would be like. Although I still think it would be nice if one of my children had a gift, I now realize that gifted children also have their own struggles, that life isn't perfect for them or their parents. I truly believe that behind each gifted child is a parent guiding the way. I can only hope to be such a great parent.]]>
November 6, 2011
p3pto's Recently Played Tracks @ 10:38 pm:
Your gifted child may have 20/20 eyesight yet still have learning related vision problems. Children with learning related vision problems rarely report symptoms. They think everyone sees the same as they do. Vision is more than 20/20 eyesight. It is a complex process involving numerous visual abilities. Nearly 80% of what a child perceives depends on the visual system. Vision is our dominant learning sense. Any interference in these pathways can cause difficulty with learning despite high IQs.