Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is one reason we did not have one child even start the process to go to TJ. That’s probably not helpful, but for others who may read this thread at the crossroads of making a decision about applying, this may help.

Which reason is that?

Please read the title to the thread.

Anonymous wrote:This is one reason we did not have one child even start the process to go to TJ. That’s probably not helpful, but for others who may read this thread at the crossroads of making a decision about applying, this may help.

Which reason is that?

This is one reason we did not have one child even start the process to go to TJ. That’s probably not helpful, but for others who may read this thread at the crossroads of making a decision about applying, this may help.

An AP a year keeps the anxiety away

My kid is a rising sophomore. Interested in engineering.

So he is shooting to complete Algebra B/C, Physics ( the one beyond Physics Hons), AP Computer Science, AP Stats by the time he graduates.

That’s it.

Rest all he will take if he has interest or are required.

This is not a easy set of courses. But where folks run into trouble is that, eg they try to get to Algebra B/C in Junior year and then have to take summer math courses etc to meet that timeline. That starts to add to the stress.

I know my kid is not going to be in the top 25% at TJ but neither in the bottom 25%

So just encouraging him to learn and enjoy high school.

What is a good AP workload to not over do it? Is there a typical schedule of which APs to do which years?

DD is like that OP.

As another pp posted socially she has much lower anxiety because she fits in so well at TJ vs old school. That helps with one form of anxiety.

On the academic side she’s managed it so far by consciously running her own race. She’s doing things like summer PE not summer science / math and kept ECs to a manageable amount her first year. She realizes this means some kids are “ahead” of her with classes but is choosing not to drive herself nuts with it. DH and I support that vs trying to drive her to over extend.

My kid was there before admissions changes so it might have changed. Her anxiety basically disappeared at TJ because she was finally surrounded by similar kids and challenging work. She finally fit in.

Medication.

Therapy.

Take a look at TJ Vents FB group to get an idea of how well kids handle it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How do high achievers prone to anxiety deal with the pressure at Tj?

No pressure any more. It’s just another school.

Please don’t ruin this thread. TJ still has super top kids in it.

The regular refrain in any TJ thread is that its a less toxic culture and pressure cooker mentality. Any anxiety that high achievers would be prone to exhibit would likely be no different at any other school in FCPS.

Anonymous wrote:The truly 'smart' high achievers dont overreach and try to cram in too many AP or advanced math/science courses.

Dont deal with anxiety - Avoid being in a situation which creates anxiety. this applies to all HS students. not just TJ.

Plus making sure u tell ur kid that parents are ok being full pay OOS helps. Also the realization that any T-50-100 engineering/STEM school will set u up for success helps a lot.

The obsession over T20-30 is silly.

That’s totally on the right track.

What is concerning is that some kids fall pray of high achievements of others and want to be on top regardless of what parents say. That can fuel lots of anxiety.

Also, when as parents we are excited for their achievements they get the message that achievements matter.

If we play it cool and indifferent we run the risk of appearing non supportive and non caring.

The truly 'smart' high achievers dont overreach and try to cram in too many AP or advanced math/science courses.

Dont deal with anxiety - Avoid being in a situation which creates anxiety. this applies to all HS students. not just TJ.

Plus making sure u tell ur kid that parents are ok being full pay OOS helps. Also the realization that any T-50-100 engineering/STEM school will set u up for success helps a lot.

The obsession over T20-30 is silly.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How do high achievers prone to anxiety deal with the pressure at Tj?

No pressure any more. It’s just another school.

Please don’t ruin this thread. TJ still has super top kids in it.

Anonymous wrote:How do high achievers prone to anxiety deal with the pressure at Tj?

No pressure any more. It’s just another school.

How do high achievers prone to anxiety deal with the pressure at Tj?