We’re often asked to speak at high school events like “Junior Parent Night,” “College Night,” and “PSAT Scores Back Night.” At some schools, those events are standing-room only. But at others, they can’t seem to generate much interest. Not just events where Collegewise is on the docket, but college-related events in general. In my experience, there’s less correlation than most people would expect between the number in attendance and the number of college-going students at the school.
Parents, I know that some college-related events your high school puts on might end up being less valuable for you than others. I know there are times when you’ll have two or three or seven evening commitments during the week and you just can’t quite generate the enthusiasm to add yet another commitment to your list.
Still, whenever you can reasonably do so, show up.
Even if you only pick up one or two useful tidbits (quality beats quantity, by the way), you’ll be demonstrating to both your counselor and your kid that you are an interested, invested parent of a college-going student. Like so many parts of parenting, you may not always want to do it, and it may not always be enjoyable. But you’ll sleep better at night knowing you’re doing what you can in support of your soon-to-be college freshman.