Preparing LDS teens for seminary

The first day of school for my three kids was just last week. Although they were excited for the new year, I could tell my oldest was more nervous than usual. I wasn’t surprised; he was starting his freshman year of high school. Starting a new school gets just about everyone’s stomach churning. But pairing it with starting seminary as well heightened his anxiety all the more. As he left that first day, I hoped I had done enough to prepare him for what I trusted would be one of the best aspects of his high school years.

Just as there are ways to prepare kids for going back to school, there are also steps parents can take to help prepare their students for seminary. Here are a few ideas to make those first few days in seminary go a little smoother.

1. Talk positively about seminary.

Starting seminary with a good attitude is a giant step in the right direction. Make sure to speak with upbeat assurance about seminary and the experiences students will have there.

Former Glendale, Ariz., seminary teacher Lori Wagner said, “It helps if the parents are enthusiastic and speak positively about the seminary program and the teachers.”

2. Bring needed supplies.

If there is anything worse than a tense first day in an unfamiliar class, it is showing up for class unprepared. Of course, scriptures are the most important supply students should bring. If your student has release time seminary, then it would likely be beneficial to invest in a second set of scriptures for them to keep in the seminary building. Other supplies students may need include marking pencils, a study journal or notebook, and a pen or pencil.

3. Find a familiar face.

Take time to stop by and meet the teacher before classes start to ensure your son or daughter has a familiar face to welcome them to seminary. Doing so also helps them become acquainted with the classroom and seminary building. Alternatively, try meeting some of the other students enrolled in the same seminary class. Having a friend can make facing the first day all the easier.

4. Visit seminary.lds.org.

This website has suggestions for ways youths can succeed in seminary. Check out the scripture mastery list and be sure to have your teen mark them in her own set of scriptures.

Wagner also noted, “It can be fun to learn the scripture mastery scriptures together. Besides the games and activities on the church website, there are also other websites that have the scriptures put to songs."