Expert warning on LGS choices: Pay attention to these when choosing the right school

As the high school selection period approaches, experts are urging parents to look beyond just exam scores and consider a holistic approach to choosing the right school for their children. Doç. Dr. Metin Kocatürk from Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa's Guidance and Psychological Counseling Department emphasized that exam results should not be the sole determinant of a child's value.

“

Parents should not see the exam result as a measure that determines the value of the child.

Kocatürk advised parents to refrain from immediate criticism, comparisons, or expressions of disappointment. He stressed the importance of evaluating a student's preferences for subjects, their preferred learning environment, social needs, and future inclinations alongside the school's academic programs, language opportunities, extracurricular activities, and accessibility. Consulting with school counselors can also provide a more realistic view of a student's strengths.

“

The school's academic program, foreign language opportunities, social activities, transportation conditions, and student profile should be examined together with the child.

Furthermore, Kocatürk highlighted that high school choice is not a single, irreversible decision that defines a student's entire future. A student's success and happiness are shaped by their study habits, social interactions, self-improvement efforts, and how they seize opportunities, not just the school's name. He encouraged parents and educators to use concrete examples to show that success is possible in various school settings, rather than resorting to catastrophic language.

“

A student's future is determined not only by the name of the school but also by their study habits, social relationships, self-development efforts, and how they evaluate the opportunities they encounter.

Education specialist Banu Yapıcı echoed these sentiments, advising parents against equating exam scores with a child's personality or worth. She explained that scores reflect academic performance on a specific day under particular conditions, not intelligence, talent, or future potential. Yapıcı warned that comparisons and phrases like "If you had studied more, this wouldn't have happened" increase anxiety. Instead, she recommended a supportive approach, assuring children, "Whatever your result, we are with you. Together, we will determine the best path for you."

“

Comparisons with other students or statements like 'If you had studied more, this wouldn't have happened' increase the student's anxiety.