Normal behavior for high school senior?

[Anonymous]

DD has five AP classes and two EC commitments so she’s busy but totally emotionally checked out. She only does the social stuff she has to do and just wants to babysit for college money on weekends now. She waiting for EA acceptance letter and has all he applications for college done.

She doesn’t seem depressed, no weight loss or weight gain, has continued running every morning. It’s like she’s over high school and not the least bit interested in “savoring” her last year. College is everything for her now.

Anyone else’s kid doing this?

[Anonymous]

God I hope mine doesn’t. No one needs that much on their plate at that age.

[Anonymous]

My high school senior is the exact opposite of your daughter -dreading college because he won’t have his girlfriend, friends or be able to play sports. But I was exactly like your DD! I loved high school until my senior year and then just wanted out. I worked hard but always had my eye on college.

I think both responses are normal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:God I hope mine doesn’t. No one needs that much on their plate at that age.

You hope you’re kid doesn’t what, PP? Take all APs? Lots of kids do and they handle it fine.

[Anonymous]

I went to a selective high school in Europe where all high schoolers prepared really hard for their end of high school exams (Bac, IB, etc). None of us "enjoyed" that time. There's nothing to enjoy. It's just hard work. Then if you go to a challenging undergrad program with exams that only select for a small number of students each year, and shed the rest, it's also a lot of stressful work. You can start enjoying yourself again in grad school.

My cousins in Japan had it even harder. Everyone goes to prep school when high school lets out, and you work far into the night to get into a good university.

This concept of having a fun and relaxing time in high school is new to me, and I've only encountered it since coming here to the US. But then, it seems US college students have a lot of free time as well... perhaps it comes from 4 year undergrads, instead of the European 3 year? Which makes for an expensive way to get the same diploma.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
I went to a selective high school in Europe where all high schoolers prepared really hard for their end of high school exams (Bac, IB, etc). None of us "enjoyed" that time. There's nothing to enjoy. It's just hard work. Then if you go to a challenging undergrad program with exams that only select for a small number of students each year, and shed the rest, it's also a lot of stressful work. You can start enjoying yourself again in grad school.

My cousins in Japan had it even harder. Everyone goes to prep school when high school lets out, and you work far into the night to get into a good university.

This concept of having a fun and relaxing time in high school is new to me, and I've only encountered it since coming here to the US. But then, it seems US college students have a lot of free time as well... perhaps it comes from 4 year undergrads, instead of the European 3 year? Which makes for an expensive way to get the same diploma.

Lots of European universities confer BA equivalents in four years, PP. University of Edinburgh, where I graduated, was four years.

Aside from AP exams, we don’t have end of senior year exams in the US. So the students really have nothing to prepare for.

[Anonymous]

Sounds like your kid is overextended. They don't have to take all of those advanced classes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sounds like your kid is overextended. They don't have to take all of those advanced classes.

OP here. No, she really isn’t. She’s very bright and handles the AP’s fairly easily. She’s getting all A’s with just a couple hours of homework each night. Her ec’s are student government and debate which is more time consuming but not unmanageable.

My concern is her lack of interest in high school life. She’s missed countless parties and school social events because she wanted to work (babysit) instead. She’s working all day today and this evening and had no problem canceling plans with friends when this job came up.

She’s socially checked out of high school. All she wants with her free time is to make money for college.

[Anonymous]

Your DD sounds totally normal, OP. She’s in between two worlds and just leaning toward the future. She may get sentimental about high school after she gets into college and commits to one.

[Anonymous]

I think this is a girl thing, OP. I can't imagine my DS senior and his friends in this description.

[Anonymous]

I had a solid friend group in high school and then things got kind of weird senior year. There was no problem, exactly, but I think we were all tired of each other and ready for something new (e.g.). Some people branched out and hung out with other people.

[Anonymous]

I think it’s extremely healthy and forward thinking actually! She’s choosing to work in her free time to save money for next year. That’s positive. And any kid able to take five AP’s in their senior year must have always been a forward thinker and planner.

She’s over high school.

[Anonymous]

Mine was a senior last year. Got in ED and totally checked out of virtual HS...

[Anonymous]

I think your daughter is fine, OP. I hated high school and refused to take part in any of the senior events or "savor" anything! I couldn't wait to get to college and my senioritis kicked in right after winter break, because I was accepted into my first choice college in December like your daughter is hoping to be. Do not force her to socialize or go to senior events.

[Anonymous]

She sounds fine – you on the other hand...your post seems kinda clueless and judgey.