CHRISTOPHER SMITH
There are times in
our lives when we
are presented with
difficult choices, the
consequences of which
will echo into eternity
and back.
As we pace our dens dimly
lit by ever decreasing candlelight,
grappling with these existential battles
like modern day Edgar Allen Poes, it is
not difficult to see why Americans are
suffering from premature hair-loss and
ulcers at epidemic levels.
And though there are certainly some
questions worthy of this descent into
madness, choosing high school courses
should not be one.
Working as a Guidance counselor at
Seton for the last 3 years, and as an
Admissions counselor for 4 years before
that, I have had the opportunity to speak
with so many wonderful families, hear
their stories, share their concerns.
Inevitably, as families see high school
on the horizon, terror takes hold.
Which diploma option should I strive
for? Should I be taking Algebra 2 in 5th
grade so that I can take Calculus 3 as a
sophomore?
Granted, these are serious questions, and
there are many important things to take
into account when navigating the waters
of high school.
The very fact you’ve made it to high
school is a testament to both parent and
student. Give yourself a much deserved
pat on the back! If you finish that and
find these high school questions still
nagging you, give us a call.
Year after year, we have seen
that the parents and students
who make frequent use of the
counseling services at Seton
are the most successful.
I am sure there are a number of reasons
for this, but one is that it’s just helpful to
have somebody else to talk through ideas
and questions.
So much of the stress that students
experience stems from feeling like they
are alone on an island.
This sense of isolation sometimes makes
it even more difficult to reach out for
help. Those are the moments that it is
more critical than ever to make use of
the counseling provided by Seton.
Remember that we are here to help
families tackle high school and beyond.
My hope is to keep providing
supplements to your calls and emails,
whether about choosing high school
courses, applying to college, internships,
scholarships, and more.
If there are topics you wish to see
addressed that you think may be helpful
to other families, feel free to email me
at
or give me a
call at 540-636-2238. As always, our high
school counselors are here for you, and
we’re only a call away.
Christopher Smith is the Director of Guidance
at Seton. He has an M.A. in National Security
and Statecraft from the Institute of World
Politics in Washington D.C. He has a B.A. in
Philosophy from Christendom College.
39
BAYLEY BULLETIN, MAR-MAY 2016
