Why Young People Deserve A Rich Inner Life
Technology has woven itself into every aspect of our lives, often taking away the quiet moments of self-reflection that were once an essential part of childhood. Instead of daydreaming or engaging in quiet exploration, many children now find themselves endlessly scrolling through screens, their attention constantly pulled outward. Busy schedules and rising demands on their time further strip away opportunities for them to nurture a rich inner life—a space where creativity, self-awareness, and resilience can flourish. It’s within these quiet moments that young people develop deeper confidence, curiosity, emotional intelligence, and a stronger sense of self.
So what does nurturing an inner life actually look like? Here are three simple ways to get you started:
1. Guard quiet time. We can help teens reclaim alone time by creating boundaries to protect digital-free moments, especially during parts of the day that naturally lend themselves to reflection, like bedtime. For younger children, reclaiming quiet time might mean making space in their day where nothing is planned—no activities, no to-do lists – and letting them choose how to spend this precious time. These quiet, solitary moments give children of all ages the opportunity to appreciate the value of their own company and explore their inner world.
2. Model reflection: Share how you use quiet time to process ideas or challenges. You could explain how taking time alone helped you navigate a tough decision at work or resolve a difficult conversation with a friend. If you journal, consider showing your kids how writing down your thoughts helps you manage emotions. Or, talk about how stepping out for a walk brings clarity in challenging situations. By doing this, your child will learn that reflection can take many forms.
3. Encourage open-ended conversations: Rather than the usual “How was your day?” try asking, “What’s something interesting you’ve been thinking about lately?” or “Did anything today make you feel proud or curious?” These types of questions invite your children into deeper reflection. As they share, offer your full attention—lean in, maintain eye contact, and listen without interrupting. These conversations not only encourage introspection but also strengthen your connection.
Something to think about: As parents, we naturally focus on supporting our kids’ growth through school, sports, friendships, and various activities. But true growth doesn’t always come from adding more to their schedules—it often comes from giving them the space to just be, including time away from screens.
Something to try: This week, carve out 30 minutes for your family to engage in quiet time. At the end of the week, reflect on the types of downtime each family member gravitated toward, and how their mind and body felt afterward.
By creating this space for our kids to develop a rich inner life, we help them grow into resilient, self-aware individuals who are comfortable in their own skin and capable of enjoying their own company. In today’s fast-paced world, that might be the greatest gift we can offer them.
Parents Raising Successful Teens Facebook Group (or IG)
Parent Teacher Conferences are Just Around the Corner!
Here are some questions to ask beyond grades…
1. How are their social interactions?
Ask about friendships, group work dynamics, and their behavior in class.
2. When does my teen seem most confident?
Understand when your teenager feels self-assured to help boost their overall confidence.
3. How well is my teen handling their workload and managing their time?
Inquire about their ability to balance academics, extracurriculars, and social life.
4. How comfortable is my teen in advocating for themselves or asking for help?
This crucial skill will serve them well throughout high school and beyond.
5. What can I do at home to support my teen’s academic success?
Ask for specific strategies to reinforce learning and organizational skills.
Scholarships for Juniors!
What “Demonstrated Interest” Means in College Admissions
10 Hidden Gem Liberal Arts Colleges with Strong Data Science Majors
You might not immediately think of Liberal arts schools when searching for data science programs, but they offer many benefits including faculty attention and a focus on learning across disciplines like sociology, philosophy, and communication to build connections between data and human society. Small class sizes and undergraduate research opportunities allow students to apply data skills to real-world questions, often starting in freshman year.
Whether you aspire to lead analytics or shape policy, small liberal arts colleges nurture socially-aware contributors to the data revolution through a well-rounded, student-driven approach.
Check out these hidden gem liberal arts colleges across the country that offer rigorous data science curriculums in rural and urban settings across America. Read on…
Reach for the Stars, But Don't Forget the Ground: The Pitfalls of Overloading on Reach Schools
Quantity Over Quality: The Application Dilemma
Filling your college list with reach schools might seem like a bold strategy, but it often leads to one significant problem: quantity over quality. Crafting an application that truly reflects who you are, your accomplishments, and why you are a fit for a particular school takes time. When a student applies to too many competitive schools, the quality of each individual application may suffer. Rather than carefully customizing essays, students may submit generic responses that don’t stand out in an already crowded pool of applicants. Top universities expect you to show why you're a great fit for them specifically, and a one-size-fits-all approach won’t get the job done.
Instead, focusing on fewer schools and dedicating time to creating thoughtful, tailored applications will make a stronger impact. Admissions committees can quickly spot applications that lack genuine effort, and a weak application can harm your chances even more than not applying at all. Read on…
FACTS ABOUT COLLEGE MAJORS
Some colleges admit by major.
Many colleges factor your intended major into their admissions decision.
Some majors need to be started freshman year.
Students who have explored career and major options are more engaged in the college process, feel more confident in their choices and do a better job on their applications.
Majors matter.
This fall, The College Spy is focusing on how to help high school students determine their college majors and career paths.
THIS THURSDAY: 3 TIPS ON NAVIGATING COLLEGE MAJORS
October 17th at 8 pm ET
October 17th at 8 pm ET
There are many benefits to knowing your major before you enter college. Making the decision early can save you time and money. Additionally, teens who know what they want to study in college have an easier time finding a college that suits them well, are less likely to drop out, and feel more confident with the entire college process.
Register here.
Encourage FSA ID Creation
Please spread the word to students and parents that now is the time to create their Federal Student Aid accounts (FSA IDs) at StudentAid.gov. Individuals should create their FSA IDs before the release of the FAFSA so that their demographic information can be matched with the Social Security Administration. This is what allows federal tax information to be transferred from the IRS, making FAFSA completion much easier!
Federal Student Aid just released the “parent wizard” to help families determine which parents’ information is required on the FAFSA and which parent(s) needs to log into the FAFSA with their FSA ID. Please use and share this tool as it clarifies parent participation on the FAFSA.
10 Biggest FAFSA Mistakes
SOFI Preparing for College Webinar Series
SoFi is pleased to announce the 2024 fall edition of our Preparing for College Webinar Series for high school counselors and the parents of college-bound students. This three part series will help prepare you and your families with the information, insights and tools necessary to navigate college financing, and get ready to complete the FAFSA. Register for one or all of the upcoming events:
The Parent College Prep Guide
Tuesday, October 15, 2024
5pm PT / 8pm ET
Breaking Down the Basics of College Financing
Tuesday, November 12, 2024
5pm PT / 8pm ET
Figuring Out Your FAFSA®
Tuesday, December 03, 2024
5pm PT / 8pm ET
Can’t join us? Register via the link above and we will be happy to send you a copy of the recordings.
Scholarships.com
Scholarship Deadline Calendar - This handout lists the top scholarships due each month and provides direct links to detailed information for each scholarship.
Educators Resources - Help your students find success with our scholarship checklist, college application timeline, academic calendar and more.
Scholarship Database - Create an Educators account to receive exclusive access to our scholarship database. Share scholarships directly with your students.
Low Competition Scholarships - In response to your inquiries, we’ve created a guide to help you and your students find and apply for scholarships with lower competition.
When a student creates a profile with Scholarships.com, in addition to the larger, more competitive scholarship opportunities, they will be matched to dozens of low competition scholarships.
The following is a list of scholarships that are due in October:
The following is a list of scholarships exclusively for high school seniors.
Scholarships for High School Seniors