No matter if your child is 8 or 18, as parents, you will always want what’s best for them. For Singaporean parents in particular, that usually extends to the quality of education your child receives – particularly at the university or tertiary level. After all, this is the time when your child decides on the degree or diploma that might shape their future career, or even fulfil a lifelong dream.
Thus, it goes without saying that the university admissions period is one of the most stressful times in your child’s life, even for the most academically strong students. This makes it all the more important that you give your child the support, guidance, and confidence that they need to succeed in their test prep and admissions journey to enter their intended course of study.
Here are 4 ways you can support your child through the university test prep and admissions process:
1. Be supportive of their chosen field of study
Compared to the usual pre-university subjects such as Mathematics, Biology, Economics, Literature, and so forth, there are an infinite number of university-level degrees available to choose from around the world. Apart from more commonly accepted degrees such as Medicine, Engineering, Accounting, and Economics, there are dozens of lesser-known options such as Area Studies, World Literature, and Art and Design.
As parents, it is understandable that your biggest concerns lie with whether your child’s chosen field of study will help them get a good job to live comfortably after graduation. Some parents may even feel disapproving of degrees that are perceived as leading to less financially successful careers, or are not within what most Singaporeans consider ‘successful’ fields.
However, it is important to remember that this is your child’s future, not yours. It is crucial that you remain supportive even while considering the practical implications of your child’s chosen career path. While the test prep and admissions period may only last for several months, your child will remember your support or lack thereof for the rest of their lives.
2. Get them one-on-one coaching for test preparation
Once your child has decided on their field of study and reviewed what requirements are necessary to enter that programme, it’s time to ensure they get the right level of preparation needed to pass the admissions exams. Often, the best way to ensure they are prepared is by getting one-on-one coaching for test prep. This allows the tutor to provide coaching, guidance, and support that meets your child’s personal learning style, needs, and capabilities. As part of our online test prep and admissions programmes here at Gateway+, we offer one-to-one coaching sessions for students who can benefit from the personalised attention.
3. Help them access practice tests to study for upcoming admission exams
Admissions exams often do not focus on the content covered during A-Levels or in the IB programme in Singapore. Instead, these tests are meant to assess one’s critical thinking, analytical, and reasoning skills. Having access to practise tests is thus key to helping your child understand the format of the test and score well.
Gateway+ offers extensive online test prep courses for some of the most common university admissions tests including the SAT, BMAT, UCAT, and MCAT. Our preparation courses include on-demand video lessons, practice questions, and full-length mock and diagnostic tests to help your child excel.
4. Balance checking their progress with giving them space
After your child is enrolled in a test prep and admissions course, you might feel the need to keep tabs on them and track their progress. While you should regularly check on their progress to see if they are encountering any difficulties, it’s also important to offer them some space to figure things out on their own. After all, your child is preparing for their next stage in life and their first foray into young adulthood. Trusting in their decisions and giving them the space they need to make meaningful mistakes and grow is also important in nurturing the successful student within.
Prepare your Child for University with Gateway+
The test prep and admissions process can be daunting for students and parents alike, but this need not always be the case. Gateway+ offers comprehensive test prep and admission courses and learning tools at a fixed price to help your child achieve the grades they need to pursue their dream degree. You can also access more resources on our blog, including our test prep and admissions guide for UK universities.
Find out more about our monthly and annual subscriptions, or get started with our 14-day FREE TRIAL. Get in touch with our team today to find out how we can help your child succeed in their university admissions.
