TOS Review- High School Prep Genius

Today I am reviewing High School Prep Genius from College Prep Genius.

This book has over 400 pages and is geared for parents and their children who are in the 7th-12th grades to help prepare them for college, their career paths and adult lives.

High School Prep Genius encourages all parents to be actively involved in the education of their child(ren). Each chapter contains Parent's "homework," as well as questions for the student to answer.  For example, one question was about how they focus on the positive or negative choices that they make.  The fact that questions such as these in personal and character development are included is important and impressive.  It really shows that the responsibility and decision making about the future needs to be handed over to the student, and that while they are still in our care, we, as parents, have an awesome responsibility to guide and advise our children while they are still young adults.

The book stresses that self-discipline, responsibility, routine and personal values are all necessary to make wise choices, not only in education, but for success in life.

From their website:

"The book features:
--College and Career Notebook
--9th-12th grade Student Timelines
--Advanced Study Tips
--7th grade Talent Searches
--Scholarship Ideas
--Key Admissions Terminology
--Extra Curricular Activity Advice
--Healthy Lifestyle Skills
--Keys to finding a Mentor
--Friend and Relationship Help
--Essay Writing Techniques
--College Admissions Guide
--Go to College for Free
and more...."

My son, who is finishing 9th grade this year, and I especially liked the section of the book that recommended setting up a "College and Career Notebook."  This gives the student/parent a sole place to record volunteer activities, extra-curriculars, books, classes, etc.  We are required by PA state law to maintain a portfolio, which includes all of this information, but now we will add college search and financial aid information to it when the time comes.

This book, which retails for $29.95, is a comprehensive work of reference for high school students and their parents.  Many "prep" books only focus on coursework needed or avenues for financial scholarships.  While this is all important and included in this text, the authors go further and realize that lessons of life and decision making need to made as a teenager transitions into adulthood.  Their value systems need to be well-established and secure and they need to have attainable goals and a plan on how to achieve them.

The book also stresses the importance of students having financial independence and money management skills before heading off to college.  What practical and important advice!

I enjoyed reading over High School Prep Genius with my son and look forward to going even more in depth with him as he gets older.

UPDATE: The author has generously offered our blog readers a $5 discount when purchasing the book when you use the code TOSCrew at checkout.  :-)