Austin Scholar #133: Things your kid is worrying about (and how to help them)
& what I’m bringing to college
Hey, y'all!
This week from Austin Scholar...
Austin’s Anecdote: What I’m bringing to college
Things your kid is worrying about (and how to help them)
Scholar’s Sources: What I’ve been thinking about…
The big day is here: I leave for Stanford tomorrow. I truly cannot overstate how grateful I am to each and every one of you for helping me get there. I definitely would not be the person I am or have the opportunities I do without y’all. For over two years, you have all followed me throughout the highs and lows of my high school journey, supporting and encouraging me every step of the way.
As I transition into life as a college student, be prepared to learn about the true differences between apps and a teacher (I will be doing both Math Academy and Stanford lecture classes for math). I'll also be writing about the life skills you need to teach your kid (what has helped me succeed in college and what I wish I’d learned), and I'll be sharing clear, actionable advice on how you can help your kid achieve great things and get into the school of their dreams. My biggest goal is to help as many kids as I can be set up for success after high school and know how to thrive in this crazy world.
Again, thank you all for your incredible support. I can’t wait to go on this next adventure with y’all!!
Austin’s Anecdote: What I’m bringing to college
Packing for college is stressful. I need to bring everything necessary to live on my own – but not too much, because the dorms are super small. My anxiety is screaming at me that I’ve forgotten something important.
But here are some things I made sure to put in my suitcase.
Austin Community College ID
The first college I was accepted into was Austin Community College when I was in 5th grade.
Alpha’s head of school brought a bunch of us tiny elementary school kids to the ACC campus to take their admissions exam – and what do you know, we passed.
The next weekend, after volunteering at one of my mom’s events, I went back to the ACC campus and smiled with crooked teeth for the camera. And the following fall, I took an accounting class with ACC.
I’m taking this ID to remind myself of my ability to exceed expectations and that there are people who believe in me even more than I do.
Collage from my senior trip
While on my senior trip, I collected every plane ticket, train ticket, brochure, and magazine we were given. When I got back, I cut up the paper and made a collage. I photo-copied and gave it to my friends as a going-away gift, but I have the original on my desk and it never fails to make me smile.
That trip secured my friendship bonds and proved that we could be independent and navigate unfamiliar circumstances on our own.
I hope to be reminded of the strength of the friendships I have whenever I feel lonely.
Math Academy account
As I’ve mentioned, I’m going to be continuing to use online apps to teach me math while in college. Math Academy is my app of choice and I truly cannot wait to see how it compares to the lectures.
My main goal in using Math Academy is to ensure I’ve mastered the content, not just crammed it for exams.
Red panda stuffed animal
A few years ago, I was in New York with my best friends and our moms and I had a really bad day.
I got so overwhelmed by the thick smoke smell and constant movement. My hands started twitching (a tell-tale sign of too much anxiety for me) and I felt like I needed to go hide in a completely dark and quiet room. But one of my friends wanted to check out the toy store FAO Schwarz and I, of course, agreed.
I walked down the stuffed animal aisle and saw a really cute orangey-red animal, picked it up, and immediately fell in love. For some reason, it was just the right amount of squishy and firm and soft and I could feel myself calming down. Squishing it gave my hands something to do to let go of the anxiety and the softness brought me back to reality.
I’m taking this stuffed animal (despite me being an entire adult now) because it proved that I can calm myself down – that even when I’m at my most anxious, I’m able to get back to my baseline.
Serenity prayer coin
God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.
This is my favorite prayer. I feel as though there’s nothing more valuable than being able to let go of the things that aren’t in your control and focus your energy on fixing those that are.
Figure skates
I think this one is pretty self-explanatory – I need figure skates if I’m going to be joining the Stanford figure skating club.
I’m really excited to be able to form a community and make friends through a club built around one of my favorite things to do. Going to the rink and practicing with some friends will be a great way to destress and center myself after a stressful week.
Things your kid is worrying about (and how to help them)
Going through a big change is scary.
There are so many unknown variables, and so much potential for bad things to happen.
Whether it’s going to college, changing schools, moving, a friend moving, an injury, or a million other scenarios, your kid is going to have some serious fears and worries.
Everyone and every situation is different, but here are some common worries they have and how to help them:
I won’t or don’t have any friends
The subject of friends is one of the toughest to face while growing up. One thing you could do is