One year from now, today's juniors will know where they're going to college. If you want the process of getting there to be smooth, enjoyable and successful, here are five ways parents can help your juniors prepare.
1. Have the family college discussions now.
Applications need to be filed sometime between September and January. Now is the time for your family to talk about which colleges will be on the list. How much can you afford to pay for college? Do you and your student agree on what types schools would be best? Do you want to visit any of those schools before your student applies? It's too late to have these discussions later this fall when your student should be working on applications. Have the discussions now and you'll give your student the opportunity to start and finish the applications early.
2. Put your student in charge.
Part of students preparing for college means taking charge of their lives and not letting their parents take care of everything for them. Let your student know that you're going to let them take the lead, that while you'll be there to encourage and advise them, you're not going to research schools and fill out applications for them. The more that students take charge of their own admissions process, the more successful they're going to be.
3. Use the summer to get organized.
Summer is the perfect time for a student to research colleges' application requirements. One way a lot of families do this together without violating tip #2 is to have the student do the research, present her findings, and the parent organizes them into a spreadsheet or regular old fashioned file. Most colleges list this information very clearly on the admissions sections of their websites. Have your student find the application deadline dates, the lists of what each college requires for an application to be considered complete, and what standardized tests are required (and if your student hasn't taken them yet, have him sign up for fall testing dates). Don't rely on a college guidebook for this information; it's important to go to the source and get it from the colleges themselves. This takes some time, but believe me, it will be a lot less stressful to do this at a leisurely pace during the summer than to scramble when your student is back at school this fall.
4. Encourage your student to ask for advice.
Yes, a student should take charge of his or her own college process. But part of that ownership means asking for help and advice along the way. Encourage your student to talk to his or her counselor, to ask colleges about their requirements if your family has questions, or to speak with older students who've already completed the process. And of course, remind your kids that you're in their corner, ready to help them with anything they need as long as they're still taking the lead.
5. Start enjoying the ride.
Your student is going to reflect how you treat the college admissions process. Lead by example and be excited. Don't act as if an acceptance from Yale or USC or Ohio State will be the only outcome worth celebrating. There are hundreds of good colleges out there, most of whom accept B and even C students, just about all of whom will offer a wonderful education for a student that's willing to work and take full advantage of what they have to offer. Treat the process for what it is, an exciting time in your student's life. Your entire family will enjoy this process much more.
family law sydney says
This is a good tip for families with their children entering college. Thanks for sharing.