December is upon us, and S.O.S. Studies wants to congratulate all the students who participated in our admission exams preparation program for private schools and specialized study programs this fall.
Unfortunately, despite their best efforts, some students might be disappointed. These are selection exams, after all, which means that students are evaluated and ranked, and one student will be first while another will be last. This way of evaluating students might seem cruel, but it does reflect real life. The problem is that, in this case, the children confronted with this harsh reality are only 11 years old!
Nonetheless, the question remains: What should I tell my child, who prepared so carefully, if he or she is not accepted?
First, this news should not be seen as a failure. Remind them that it was a useful life experience, and that selection exams aren’t about “passing” or “failing”. Some students are chosen; some aren’t.
Children who are unconsciously afraid to let their parents down need moral support now more than ever to maintain their self-confidence. We suggest using positive language and focusing on their strengths rather than spontaneously pointing out their weaknesses.
Constant criticism, hurtful words, and unrealistically high expectations are bad for a child’s self-confidence. Instead of showing your disappointment, it is far more constructive to help your child come to terms with the dream school’s decision and keep striving to reach his or her goals.