This inspiring account shares the story of a high school senior who, despite initial reluctance, achieved an impressive 1580 on the SAT through persistence and subtle parental guidance. It offers valuable insights for parents navigating the challenges of helping teens and preteens overcome resistance and realize their potential. The below success story has been shared by a proud DFW Maithili Parivar parent. Daughter in this post refers to his daughter.
As parents, we often find ourselves in the delicate position of guiding our children through challenges while allowing them to carve their own paths. This balance becomes especially tricky when dealing with issues like standardised tests, which can be both stressful and controversial. Today, I’d like to share the journey of my younger child, a high school senior, and how persistence played a pivotal role in overcoming her initial reluctance toward the SAT.
The Reluctant SAT Taker
Like many high school students, my child had a well-rounded application for college admissions. She maintained excellent grades, had a strong class ranking, was involved in extracurricular activities, and received solid recommendation letters. However, there was one part of the college application process that she was determined to avoid—the SAT.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many colleges made SAT scores optional, and she eagerly embraced this as a reason to skip the test altogether. She frequently argued that SAT scores were no longer relevant in the college admissions process. Despite my repeated attempts to encourage her to take the test, she remained firm in her belief that it wasn’t worth her time.
The First Attempts: No Effort, No Results
After much persuasion, she finally agreed to take the SAT. Her score was decent but not exceptional—1380 out of 1600. Given her strong profile in other areas, we were hopeful but knew she could do better with just a little more effort. I encouraged her to take the test again, but she resisted, and unfortunately, put little effort into preparing for the second attempt.
In her second round, she scored 1350—slightly lower than her first attempt. At this point, she was resolute in her decision not to take the test again. As a parent, I felt frustration at seeing her not fully engage with an area that could potentially strengthen her college applications.
The Turning Point: A Simple Goal
It wasn’t until I set a very specific goal for her—getting a score of 1400—that things began to shift. I explained that a score of 1400 would significantly enhance her chances of being considered by top colleges, preventing her from being overlooked due to a low SAT score. This simple, achievable number seemed to resonate with her, and for the first time, she started dedicating some real effort into preparing for the test.
She retook the SAT, and her hard work paid off—she scored 1460. I was content with her progress and, as promised, stopped pressuring her to take it again. But what happened next surprised me.
A Final Attempt: Breaking Through
Without prompting from me, she decided to take the SAT one more time. This time, her score was a remarkable 1580 out of 1600. It was hard to believe that, just a few months earlier, she hadn’t even wanted to sit for the test at all. To see how far she had come—from reluctant to proud test-taker—was incredibly rewarding.
A Lesson in Patience and Persistence
This journey wasn’t just about achieving a high SAT score—it was about overcoming resistance, embracing effort, and learning to value the process. As parents, we often feel the urge to push our children in the direction we believe is best for them. But this experience reinforced a valuable lesson: sometimes, the most effective motivator isn’t external pressure but internal realization. When children begin to understand the value of a goal, they often rise to meet it themselves.
Her success is a testament to her resilience and to the importance of gentle guidance and support. While there were moments of doubt along the way, our consistent encouragement helped her stay on track and, ultimately, succeed in her own way.
A Final Reflection
This experience has reaffirmed one of the most important lessons in parenting: the need for patience, respect for our children’s autonomy, and the importance of keeping lines of communication open. Success rarely comes quickly, and it’s not always about pushing harder. Sometimes, it’s about letting our children take ownership of their journey and providing support when they need it most.
Her journey serves as a powerful reminder that with persistence, even the most reluctant test-taker can achieve great things. For parents of teens and preteens who might be facing similar challenges, I hope this story offers encouragement and perspective on how to navigate the ups and downs of adolescence and academic growth.
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Final Thoughts for Parents:
Every child’s path is unique, and as parents, our role is to support them through their challenges. Whether it’s standardized tests, extracurricular activities, or personal growth, remember that persistence, patience, and open communication are key. While we may not always understand our children’s resistance, helping them develop the resilience to face challenges and take ownership of their goals is one of the greatest gifts we can give.
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