<p>Ok so my parents are like making me really *<strong><em>ed right now..
During the summer, I took chem but some of my friends also took SAT boot camps and they're now taking the SAT this saturday.
The thing is, now my parents are mad at me for "slacking off" during the summer and that I won't be prepared for the SAT during MARCH. Like there's freaking 5 months till then and my SAT is already a 2240. I'm aiming for 2300+.
But they think that my score is a failure and no way can I get it up and that I'm wasting time right now not studying for it (I'm studying for my AP tests instead since this is the first time I've ever taken APs and I'm taking 4.) Apparently I'm lazy as hell.
The thing is, what's a nice way I can say shut the f</em></strong> up and I can handle this myself. I don't mean to sound like a brat but they've been saying this forever and its totally getting on my nerves.</p>
<p>bump</p>
<p>12char</p>
<p>Honestly, I don’t find SAT “boot camps” a very good use of a summer.</p>
<p>Also, if a 2240 is a failure, I didn’t even break 2100. I know lots of people here at MIT with lower scores. I don’t think a 2300 is a significant advantage over a 2240 (although, if your scores are 800/800/640, it might be worth bringing up that third score). Additionally, no one cares about SAT scores once you’re in college. Seriously.</p>
<p>Basically, I would put most of my energy on doing well in AP classes, exams, and strengthening the rest of your college application. Take an SAT practice test every now and then, but you should already be well prepared.</p>
<p>You sound very angsty. Just do your thing. Breaking 2300 should definitely be possible.</p>
<p>I often ask my son if I am stressing him out. He politely says “sometimes”. So, tell your parents exactly how you feel. There’s no better way. You are aiming 2300+, mine is the same. But it’s just a goal, 2240 is NO WAY a failure. I hope they understand that :)</p>
<p>Hi realchk,</p>
<p>So when your son politely said, “sometimes,” did you actually back off?
I am in the same situation as you with my son. </p>
<p>StevenToCollege</p>
<p>Just keep in mind that this is a scary time for parents too. Sending your kids off into the world is hard. You want them to have every advantage but there is so much that is no longer in your control. On top of that, PAYING for college is super scary and those top scores help with scholarships at schools that offer merit. Try to cut them a little slack for their own fears and nerves. College admissions is a whole different game than it was 20 years ago and they’re trying to figure it all out too.</p>
<p>I assume you are a Junior since you aren’t taking the SAT again until March. If you were applying this year, that would be too late. Did you take the SAT as a Sophomore or are you basing your score off the PSAT? If it’s off the PSAT, well, then it’s not an official score and I could see them wanting you to put a little time aside before the school load gets heavy in March. If it’s an official SAT score, then it’s a good one and I’d attempt to turn off the teen angst and have a grown-up conversation about it. You’ll get a better response if you show yourself as a mature young man who understands their fears but has a plan.</p>
<p>I think Turtletime pretty much sums up the situation. It’s hard for parents to let go sometimes. Although I agree that your parents’ nagging about studying March SAT might be overboard a bit. Taking 4 AP classes is extremely stressful, I know because mine is taking 5 :)</p>
<p>@StevenToCollege, we just talk about what’s stressful to him. I have to stay on top of him because his time management is nonexistent.</p>
<p>@MITer94 Wow! How did you get in? Did you really kill the interview?</p>
<p>@turtletime I’m actually a sophomore. And I understand why my parents are so worried. I’m just kind of irritated because my parents kinda want to show off my scores to their colleagues and they’re worried that if I don’t do well they’ll be embarassed. I’m actually taking the PSAT in 2 weeks and its stressing me out
As for my SAT scores, they were practice ones that I’ve taken. I’m pretty sure overall my score range is 2150-2250 right now</p>
<p>@undefined123 Some major awards/EC’s and GPA compensated, I guess. Also my ACT score was a bit higher. Interview went okay; I’m not the best speaker or “interviewee.”</p>
<p>It’s a rare parent who really just want bragging rights from their kid. Obviously, you have more history with them then I but it’s not uncommon for us to think the worst of our parents when we are teens. Talk to them in a rational matter and you may feel better about the situation.</p>
<p>As to the scores, until you have the scores, you can’t say you have the scores. You are doing great with your practice tests. I’m sure you’ll do well on your PSAT and SAT. It’s not a bad idea to do a little work over a long period of time. 15 minutes a couple times a week… might be enough to make your parents feel better and keep your skills up.</p>
<p>People get anxious when there is just a big blob of “something” out there- you need to put structure to it. </p>
<p>First break down where you lost points in the 2240. If it is math, is it geometry? is it permutations? On reading where exactly are you losing your points- passages or vocabulary?</p>
<p>Are you taking the March 8th SAT? Do you know when you need to register by? When were you planning on studying? Mark study sessions and important dates on a calendar. </p>
<p>Create a schedule between now and March about how you will study and when. For instance if you are losing points on inscribed figures and vocabulary you will spend an hour a week drilling each from Changs and Direct Hits. You should be scheduling in at least a couple of practice tests- maybe over Christmas and one in February. </p>
<p>This probably represents the same amount of study time for you anyway, but since you now have committed it to a measurable plan it relieves your parents anxiety that they have no idea on your preparation as the weeks go by. Now there is a plan that they can understand.</p>
<p>@turtletime
@argbargy
The thing is, I actually study for the SAT every day but it’s not enough for my parents. They expect 8 hrs from me on the weekend and 1 1/2 every day. It’s really difficult to manage especially when they yell at me to go to sleep by 11. I currently study 1 every day and 4 during the weekend as I don’t have any more time (AP 50 page outlines), but they just want more more more</p>
<p>If it is indeed true that they expect 15.5 hours of SAT study from you a week then really, I don’t know what to tell you. You need to talk to them. You might talk to a trusted teacher and to help you discuss the matter with your parents. You still have to approach this with a level head and rational thought. If you act out, cuss and yell at them, you’ll be easy to dismiss as an angsty teen.</p>
<p>Swifty- write down and documented plan with milestone dates and measurable test point. </p>
<p>Because you havent given them any plan, they are panicking and coming up with their own- which is study 8 hours a weekend. Are they even even clear on what you should being studying?</p>
<p>Wow, your parents sound like my parents… the kind of people who throw an SAT vocab book at you when youre in six grade.</p>
<p>That much SAT preparation will probably stress you out when it’s time to take the SAT because you’ll have so much pressure put on you. What even is there to study for 11 hours a week? If it’s your first time and you’re a sophomore… don’t be too anxious about it. You still have time. Maybe you could work on learning vocab instead of taking an excessive amount of practice tests or doing whatever else your parents expect.</p>
<p>Also, just a heads up, what you score on practice tests doesn’t always reflect the score you get on the actual SAT. I’ve scored 800 in math every time I took a blue book practice test but I know I missed at least once question during the SAT yesterday, due to nerves.</p>
<p>Anyway, best of luck!</p>
<p>You’re a sophomore, you have a lot of time! And your score is amazing, I can’t fathom why your parents would be disappointed in you. Try talking to a trusted adult like a teacher because this is simply outrageous. You’re taking 4 APs for crying out loud. Just keep doing what you’re doing because if all your parents want is to brag about your SAT scores, then they need a reality check because a person isn’t defined by their test scores. Best of luck.</p>