Keys to Freshman Success Presented by Jamie Pollard 9 th and 10 th grade School Counselor Farmington High School #121

Importance of Freshman Year Failure rate is higher than any other year Those who fail their freshman year are more likely to drop out HS dropouts earn 1/3 less than graduates Alternately, successful freshman years lead to increased success throughout high school, increased graduation rates, and increased earning potential From Bottoms, Gene. Redesigning the Ninth-Grade Experience: Reduce Failure, Improve Achievement and Increase High School Graduation Rates.

What if my freshman is already failing? I have missed 9,000 shots during my career. My teams have lost 300 games. And 26 times that my teammates gave me the ball in the final seconds of the game to take the game-winning shot, I missed the shot and we lost the game. I have failed over and over again. The only reason I can succeed is because I understand how to deal with failure. Michael Jordan From Teenagers Preparing for the Real World by Chad Foster, p. 11

Keys to Success  Attendance  Organization  Time Management  Relationship with a Caring Adult/Mentor  Involvement with an Activity  Goal for the Future  Discussions about Life Issues  Perseverance/Effort

Attendance  One of the challenges this year’s freshmen identified  Difficult to “catch up” when students miss  Helps students maintain good habits that will be important for work later  To qualify for A+, students must have a cumulative 95% attendance average their senior year

Organization  Folders/binders for each class  Color coding  Time to organize materials  Planner  Long-term planning

Time Management  This year’s freshmen cited “juggling school, family, relationships, and sports” as a challenge for them  Prioritizing is tough at this age

Relationship with Caring Adult/Mentor  This relationship creates an environment that encourages student success  Advisory  Farmington Leadership in Practice students  Crucial role of family, extended family  Community organizations can also play a role

Involvement with an Activity  Most freshmen wanted to know more about the activities offered here  Place of connection  Positive relationships  Activity Fair in August  Sports, clubs, community groups  Clubs related to careers (FFA, FBLA, etc.)

Goal for the Future  Short Term  Long Term  Intermediate goals  Drives academics  Answers the “What’s the purpose?” questions  Writing goals in advisory

Discussions about Life Issues  Time of critical life choices  Parents and family are the most influential  Discuss alcohol, drugs, sexuality and your views  Talk about long term impact of current choices  “There is no such thing as an insignificant decision.”

Perseverance/Effort  Success is not so much about intelligence as it is hard work and perseverance  All students can achieve academic success despite differences in natural intelligence

Questions? Please contact me at the Counseling Center #121