Preparing for College
A Time of Transition
As your teenager prepares for life after high school, you as a parent want nothing but the best for them — to provide them with the most options in life and to help them work toward finding a fulfilling career that fits their unique skills and personality traits.
They look to you to provide guidance and support in navigating this exciting, yet daunting time in their lives. Research shows that a college degree can open the doors to a world of opportunity for your child — helping to increase their chances of landing a great job and elevating their earning potential over a lifetime.
It’s never too early to help them start thinking about and planning for college, the next pivotal stage in their transition to adulthood.
And don’t forget about yourself! Check out our Parent Survival Kit for helpful advice on how you as a parent can manage this exciting time of change and growth.
Helpful Tips to Prepare Your Teenager for College
Making the Decision to Go to College
If your teenager is still uncertain about the prospect of attending college, now is not the time to lay down the law and demand that they go. This may well be the single most important decision they must make, and it will chart the course for the rest of their lives. Dictating your will on your teenage child may turn out to be a recipe for disaster.
Instead, engage in an open dialogue with your child. Discuss the benefits of college and any possible concerns he or she may have in a positive and supportive format. Help them identify their interests and passions and plant seeds to spark their excitement about possible career paths — and the education needed to get there. If they feel that they have made the decision on their own terms, they’ll be more likely to embrace the idea of college with energy and enthusiasm.
Encourage Your Teenager to Get Involved While Still in High School
During the admissions process, colleges look for students who are active and involved. Though academics are important, they are not all that is considered when making the cut. Encourage your child to participate in extracurricular activities to supplement their academic performance. By joining clubs, playing sports, volunteering and even working part-time, your child will demonstrate that he or she is a well-rounded individual with unique talents and interests to complement the diverse student body.
Be There for Support
Getting ready for college is a stressful time for most students. Generally, the college crunch begins junior year as the flurry of deadlines, transcripts, class rankings and ACT/SAT prep classes sets in. By the time Senior year rolls around, test-taking, application submissions, interviewing and college decision-making are in full swing — and all of this coupled with the fact that many don’t relish the thought of saying goodbye to old friends and starting over in a whole new place with a new set of people. Be aware of what your child is going through and help them manage the flurry of activity and change that occurs during this transitional period.
