A parent recently told me…
“My kid is doing fine in school… but I still don’t know if they’re actually ready.”
If you’re uncertain about your kid’s future too, this post is for you!
The Invisible Problem Most Parents Are Facing
Many families assume that good grades, activity lists, or college acceptance letters automatically equal direction.
But those things don’t tell you whether a student understands where they’re going or why.
They tell you what they’ve done, not necessarily whether they can navigate what’s next.
Think of Direction Like a GPS
A GPS doesn’t just tell you that you’re moving.
It tells you where you are, where you’re headed, and what adjustments to make along the way.
Without that feedback, even motivated students can drift.
This short quiz is designed to act like that GPS check.
A Quick Direction Readiness Quiz for Parents
Read each statement and rate how true it is for your student right now.
Use the 1–5 scale below these questions to score your student on each question.
My student has a clear vision for their future and can confidently explain it in their own words.
My student understands their natural abilities and can clearly describe what they’re truly good at.
My student knows how to connect their strengths to the best-fit major, field of study, or career path.
My student knows how to narrow down their many options and make smart, future-oriented decisions.
My student has supportive adults in their life who offer career guidance and mentorship that will prepare them for a successful future.
My student understands how AI might impact different careers and knows how to choose paths that match their strengths and are positioned to grow.
My student engages in meaningful conversations about their future, asking thoughtful questions and listening to advice.
My student knows how to consider cost, value, and long-term return when making educational decisions.
My student takes initiative toward their future career goals without needing constant reminders or supervision.
Response Scale (1–5)
1 – Not at all true
No signs of this showing.
2 – Rarely true
Perhaps, but it’s not consistent.
3 – Somewhat true
Starting to show signs, but room to grow.
4 – Mostly true
Describes my student well, with minor room for improvement.
5 – Definitely true
Strongly describes my student and shows up consistently.
Scoring
There are 9 questions.
Minimum score: 9
Maximum score: 45
After scoring your student on each question, add up each score to get the overall total score.
What Your Total Score Means
9–18 | 🚧 Needs Direction
Your student may feel unsure, overwhelmed, or unclear about next steps.
This is more common than you think, and very fixable with the right process.
19–29 | 🌱 On Their Way
Your student is exploring, but still needs structure and guidance to build momentum.
30–40 | 🚀 Gaining Momentum
Strong signs of preparation are emerging.
The focus now is clarity, confidence, and better decisions.
41–45 | ✅ Future-Ready
Your student has direction, initiative, and adaptability.
They’re in a very strong position moving forward.
The Reframe You Might Find Relieving
What looks like “my kid is behind” is often just “my kid doesn’t have a clear system yet.”
Direction isn’t a personality trait that some students have and others don’t.
It’s something that’s built step by step.
A Few Truths That I Want to Leave you With
This score is a snapshot, not a label.
Most students improve rapidly once they see themselves clearly.
Direction comes before motivation, not the other way around.
You don’t need all the answers to be effective guides, you just need to know where to go to access the right information.
The purpose of this newsletter is simple.
To help you steadily move your student from uncertainty to clarity,
from guessing to intentional decisions,
And from pressure to confidence.
In future issues, I’ll break down practical ways to strengthen each of these areas, one at a time.