Family Resources on Becoming College and Career Ready

Project and Purpose

It is okay to be shy, but sometimes shyness can interfere with quality relationships, students will answer questions about how to become more social.

Video Overview:

Glen Curtis was smart but very shy, and he always had trouble making real friends. His quiet and introverted demeanor didn’t exactly make Glen the type of person his classmates wanted to spend time with, but the feeling was mutual because Glen didn’t feel comfortable hanging out with other students. In high school, Glen finally realized that being an introvert was holding him back. He wanted to meet people and get involved in more activities, but he didn’t even know how to start a conversation.

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Becoming College and Career Ready

Glen challenged himself to attend a club meeting after school, which led to a major turning point in Glen’s life. Even though he felt like crying after his first club meeting, Glen didn’t let his fear stop him. He joined the choir, the golf team and a few other clubs at school. Glen says he met people who were earnest and “pulled” the shyness out of him, and he realized it was fun to interact with other people. His new-found confidence to speak up and get involved has helped him find the courage not only to say yes to friends and activities, but also to say no to negative influences like drugs and alcohol. Glen says he now knows nothing is as bad as it seems, and he’s bold enough to accomplish his goals and “conquer the world.”

Background

Open/Download Parent Conversation Starter.pdf

If this lesson was used in the classroom: Students learned about taking the initiative trying something new. In class students discussed the skills to make friends and become more involved in school activities. Students also discussed how to become more involved in activities that prepare students for college and career. Teachers may also have assigned a presentation about colleges for a future class session.

Getting Ready for the Conversation

The video for this module features a youth named Glen who readily admits that he was missing out on making friends at school because of shyness. Glen shares his experiences as he joins in school extra-curricular activities and how this helped him make friends and participate in activities that provide vocational skills.

Conversation Starters and Practice at Home

The first item is for follow-up after viewing the lesson video and participating in class activities.

What problem did Glen face? Why do you think he made the choices he did?

What are some activities in school (or this community) that could help you learn skills to prepare you for college or a career? Describe why.

Assess your participation in non-academic activities (at school or other locations). Is this adequate for you? Why or why not?

Research other activities that are available at school or in the community. Are there other activities that you should try? Why or why not?

Schools to Home Resources on Becoming College and Career Ready

Discussion and Self-Reflection Questions

How did Glen’s failure to interact with people affect his quality of life at school, at home and in his neighborhood?
How do you think Glen’s high school experience would be different had he not developed the skills to speak up?
Do you face situations at school that require you to get outside your “comfort zone” and try something new? What are those situations?
Glen says people who don’t get involved in activities in high school “disappear” later in life due to their lack of confidence. Is it important for everyone to be outgoing, or is it acceptable for some people to remain in the background? Explain.
Glen says he’s now ready to “conquer the world.” What do you think the relationship is between having self-confidence and the kinds of experiences Glen had, and success in college or a chosen career?

Lesson Plan

Open/Download Complete PDF Lesson

Activity: This College Speaks to Me

In order to help students hone presentation skills, ask each to select a college that they will research in order to present a short three- to five-minute presentation to the class on why they might want to consider this school.

When students have selected a school, suggest that they go online and complete research and/or request a brochure or admissions packet. Brainstorm with students about the types of general information they might want to gather about the school for their presentation to the class:

Its location.
Availability of two year and/or four year programs.
Size of enrollment.
Admission requirements (GPA, SAT or ACT test scores)
Financial aid, loan and grant information.
Descriptive words. How can you describe the photos you see online or in a brochure? What does this school look like to you?

Then review these presentation and public speaking tips:

Speak slowly. Experts say one of the biggest mistakes teens make is talking too fast.
Practice. This can help you prepare and slow the pace. Practice delivering your speech into a recorder, to a family member or a friend. Avoid saying words including “like” and“um.”
Make eye contact. If you’re particularly nervous about speaking in front of the class, try looking at an object just beyond the people in the audience, such as a clock or bulletin board on the back wall of the room.